99-11164. Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 89 (Monday, May 10, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 25126-25138]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-11164]
    
    
    
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    Part III
    
    
    
    
    
    Environmental Protection Agency
    
    
    
    
    
    40 CFR Part 9 and Chapter VII
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Defense
    
    
    
    
    
    40 CFR Chapter VII
    
    
    
    Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces; 
    Final Rule
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 89 / Monday, May 10, 1999 / Rules and 
    Regulations
    
    [[Page 25126]]
    
    
    
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 9 and Chapter VII
    
    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
    
    40 CFR Chapter VII
    
    [FRL-6335-5]
    RIN 2040-AC96
    
    
    Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed 
    Forces
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense 
    (DOD).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This rule applies to discharges incidental to the normal 
    operation of Armed Forces vessels and determines which of these 
    discharges the Armed Forces will be required to control by using a 
    marine pollution control device (MPCD), and which discharges will not 
    require controls.
        Today's rule also establishes the mechanism by which States can 
    petition EPA and DOD to review whether or not a discharge should 
    require control by a MPCD or to review a Federal performance standard 
    for a MPCD; and the processes EPA and States must follow to establish 
    no-discharge zones (where any release of a specified discharge is 
    prohibited).
        This rule completes the first phase of a three-phase process to set 
    uniform national discharge standards (UNDS) for Armed Forces vessels. 
    This Phase I rule determines the types of vessel discharges that 
    require control by MPCDs and which do not, based on consideration of 
    the anticipated environmental effects of the discharge and other 
    factors listed in the Clean Water Act. Future rulemakings will 
    promulgate the MPCD performance standards for those types of discharges 
    requiring MPCDs (Phase II), and specify the requirements for the 
    design, construction, installation, and use of MPCDs (Phase III).
        Uniform national discharge standards will result in enhanced 
    environmental protection because standards will be established for 
    certain discharges that currently are not regulated comprehensively. 
    These standards will also advance the ability of the Armed Forces to 
    better design and build environmentally sound vessels, to train crews 
    to operate vessels in a manner that is protective of the environment, 
    and to maintain operational flexibility both domestically and 
    internationally. In addition, these standards are expected to stimulate 
    the development of innovative vessel pollution control technology.
    
    DATES: The regulation shall become effective June 9, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: The complete public record for this rulemaking, including 
    responses to comments received during the rulemaking, can be found 
    under docket number W-97-21. The record is available for review at the 
    Office of Water Docket, Room EB-57, 401 M Street SW., Washington, D.C. 
    20460 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
    legal holidays. For access to docket materials, please call (202) 260-
    3027 to schedule an appointment.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gregory Stapleton (U.S. EPA) at 
    (202) 260-0141, or Mr. David Kopack (U.S. Navy) at (703) 602-3594 ext. 
    243.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Regulated Entities
    
        This rule applies to discharges incidental to the normal operation 
    of Armed Forces vessels in State waters and the contiguous zone, 
    establishes procedures by which States can petition EPA and DOD to 
    review whether a discharge should be controlled or to review a 
    performance standard, and establishes procedures for creating no-
    discharge zones in State waters. Regulated categories and entities 
    include:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Category                  Examples of regulated entities
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Federal Government.....................  Vessels of the Armed Forces,
                                              including the Navy, Military
                                              Sealift Command, Marine Corps,
                                              Army, Air Force, and Coast
                                              Guard.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The preceding table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather 
    provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated 
    by this action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA and DOD 
    are now aware could potentially be regulated by this action. Other 
    types of entities not listed in the table could also be regulated. To 
    determine whether a particular category of vessel, discharge from a 
    vessel, or governmental entity is regulated by this action, carefully 
    examine the applicability criteria at 40 CFR 1700.1 in the regulatory 
    text following this preamble. For answers to questions regarding the 
    applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult one of the 
    persons listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
    section.
    
    Exclusions
    
        This rule does not apply to commercial vessels; private vessels; 
    vessels owned or operated by State, local, or tribal governments; 
    vessels under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers; vessels, 
    other than those of the Coast Guard, under the jurisdiction of the 
    Department of Transportation or other federal agencies; vessels 
    preserved as memorials and museums; time- and voyage-chartered vessels; 
    vessels under construction; vessels in drydock; and amphibious 
    vehicles.
    
    Supporting Documentation
    
        The technical basis for this rule is detailed in the ``Technical 
    Development Document for Phase I Uniform National Discharge Standards 
    for Vessels of the Armed Forces'' (EPA-821-R-99-001), hereafter 
    referred to as the Technical Development Document. This background 
    document is available through EPA's Internet Home Page at http://
    www.epa.gov/OST/guide, or through the UNDS Internet Home Page at http:/
    /206.5.146.100/n45/doc/unds/unds.html. This document is also available 
    from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications, 11029 
    Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242; telephone: 1-800-490-9198; 
    Internet: http://www.epa.gov/ncepi.
    
    Overview
    
        This preamble describes the legal authority, background, technical 
    basis, and other aspects of the final regulation. The definitions, 
    acronyms, and abbreviations used in this notice are defined in Appendix 
    A to the preamble. The regulatory text for this rule (40 CFR Part 1700) 
    follows the preamble.
    
    Organization of This Document
    
    I. Summary of This Rulemaking
        A. Pollution Control Requirements for Vessel Discharges
        B. Effect on State and Local Laws and Regulations
    II. Legal Authority and Background
        A. Clean Water Act Statutory Requirements
        B. Summary of Public Outreach and Consultation With States, 
    Tribes, and Federal Agencies
    III. Description of Armed Forces Vessels
    IV. Developments Since Proposal
        A. Peer Review
        B. Public Comments
    V. Related Acts of Congress and Executive Orders
        A. Executive Order 12866
        B. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
        C. Executive Order 12875: Enhancing the Intergovernmental 
    Partnership
        D. Executive Order 13084: Consultation and Coordination With 
    Indian Tribal Governments
        E. Regulatory Flexibility Act, as Amended by the Small Business 
    Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
        F. Paperwork Reduction Act
        G. Executive Order 13045
        H. Endangered Species Act
    
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        I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
        J. Congressional Review Act
    Appendix to the Preamble--Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Other Terms 
    Used in This Document
    
    I. Summary of This Rulemaking
    
    A. Pollution Control Requirements for Vessel Discharges
    
        Today's rule creates a new 40 CFR part 1700 establishing uniform 
    national discharge standards that apply to discharges, other than 
    sewage, incidental to the normal operation of vessels of the Armed 
    Forces. Incidental discharges include effluent from the normal 
    operation of vessel systems or hull protective coatings, but do not 
    include such things as emergency discharges, air emissions, or 
    discharges of trash. These regulations apply to 39 types of vessel 
    discharges and determine which of those discharges require control 
    through the use of marine pollution control devices (MPCDs). A MPCD is 
    any equipment or management practice installed or used onboard a vessel 
    to control a discharge. Today's rule also identifies discharges that 
    are excluded from any requirement for a MPCD because of their low 
    potential for causing adverse impacts on the marine environment. The 
    preamble for the proposed rule and the Technical Development Document 
    describe these discharges in detail. See 63 FR at 45309-45325 (August 
    25, 1998).
        In today's rule, EPA and DOD are requiring the 25 discharges listed 
    in Table 1 to be controlled by MPCDs. These discharges are defined at 
    40 CFR 1700.4 in the regulatory text following the preamble, and are 
    described in detail in the preamble for the proposed rule (63 FR at 
    45309-45318). The preamble for the proposed rule and the Technical 
    Development Document also discuss whether and to what extent the 
    discharges have the potential to cause adverse impacts on the marine 
    environment, the availability of MPCDs to mitigate adverse impacts, and 
    the rationale for requiring the use of MPCDs.
    
         Table 1.--Discharges Requiring Marine Pollution Control Devices
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Aqueous Film-Forming Foam.
    Catapult Water Brake Tank and Post-Launch Retraction Exhaust.
    Chain Locker Effluent.
    Clean Ballast.
    Compensated Fuel Ballast.
    Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid.
    Deck Runoff.
    Dirty Ballast.
    Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine.
    Elevator Pit Effluent.
    Firemain Systems.
    Gas Turbine Water Wash.
    Graywater.
    Hull Coating Leachate.
    Motor Gasoline Compensating Discharge.
    Non-Oily Machinery Wastewater.
    Photographic Laboratory Drains.
    Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge.
    Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention.
    Small Boat Engine Wet Exhaust.
    Sonar Dome Discharge.
    Submarine Bilgewater.
    Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water Separator Discharge.
    Underwater Ship Husbandry.
    Welldeck Discharges.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        This rule imposes no controls on the 14 types of discharges listed 
    in Table 2. These 14 discharges are defined at 40 CFR 1700.5 in the 
    regulatory text following this preamble. Based on the information in 
    the record, these discharges exhibit a low potential for causing 
    adverse impacts on the marine environment. Therefore, EPA and DOD have 
    determined that it is not reasonable and practicable to require the use 
    of MPCDs to mitigate adverse impacts on the marine environment. The 
    preamble for the proposed rule (63 FR at 45318-45325) and the Technical 
    Development Document describe each of these discharges and the reasons 
    why MPCDs are not required.
    
                   Table 2.--Discharges Exempted From Controls
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Boiler Blowdown.
    Catapult Wet Accumulator Discharge.
    Cathodic Protection.
    Freshwater Lay-up.
    Mine Countermeasures Equipment Lubrication.
    Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Discharge.
    Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Wet Exhaust.
    Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Condensate.
    Rudder Bearing Lubrication.
    Steam Condensate.
    Stern Tube Seals and Underwater Bearing Lubrication.
    Submarine Acoustic Countermeasures Launcher Discharge.
    
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    Submarine Emergency Diesel Engine Wet Exhaust.
    Submarine Outboard Equipment Grease and External Hydraulics.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        In developing this rule, EPA and DOD considered the seven factors 
    listed at CWA 312(n)(2)(B) to determine whether a discharge requires 
    control by a MPCD:
         The nature of the discharge;
         The environmental effects of the discharge;
         The practicability of using the MPCD;
         The effect that installing or using the MPCD would have on 
    the operation or the operational capability of the vessel;
         Applicable U.S. law;
         Applicable international standards; and
         The economic costs of installing and using the MPCD.
        In making the determinations, EPA and DOD assessed each discharge 
    for its potential to cause adverse impacts on the marine environment 
    due to the chemical constituents present in the discharge (including 
    bioaccumulative chemicals of concern), thermal pollution, or by 
    introducing nonindigenous aquatic species. EPA and DOD conducted an 
    extensive data gathering effort to characterize the nature of these 
    discharges. This effort included surveys and consultations involving 
    DOD and Coast Guard personnel with expertise in vessel operations and 
    shipboard systems or equipment generating the discharges. The survey 
    and consultation results were supplemented with sampling, where 
    necessary. Details of these efforts are summarized in the preamble to 
    the proposed rule and in the Technical Development Document. See 63 FR 
    at 45305-45306.
        A detailed description of the assessment methodology is presented 
    in the preamble for the proposed rule (63 FR at 45306-45307) and the 
    Technical Development Document. The preamble for the proposed rule and 
    the Technical Development Document also describe the results of the 
    assessment and conclusions about the potential for each discharge to 
    cause adverse impacts on the marine environment.
        For each discharge that was determined to have the potential to 
    adversely impact the marine environment, EPA and DOD conducted an 
    initial evaluation of the practicability, operational impact, and 
    economic cost of using a MPCD to control each discharge. The results of 
    the MPCD assessments are presented in the Technical Development 
    Document.
        EPA and DOD first determined whether a control technology or 
    management practice is currently in place to control the discharge for 
    environmental protection on any vessel type. The use of existing 
    controls on a vessel was considered sufficient demonstration that at 
    least one reasonable and practicable control is available for at least 
    one vessel type.
        For discharges without any existing pollution controls, EPA and DOD 
    analyzed potential pollution control options to determine whether it is 
    reasonable and practicable to require the use of MPCDs. For every 
    discharge that was found to have a potential to cause adverse 
    environmental effects, EPA and DOD identified at least one potential 
    MPCD option that could mitigate the environmental impacts of the 
    discharge from at least one class of Armed Forces vessel. Because of 
    this, EPA and DOD determined for these discharges that it is reasonable 
    and practicable to require a MPCD for at least one vessel type.
        This Phase I UNDS rule does not address whether existing control 
    technologies or management practices are adequate to mitigate potential 
    adverse impacts. Because of the diversity of vessel types and designs, 
    these controls are usually not uniformly applied to all vessels 
    generating the discharge. In addition, these existing controls do not 
    necessarily represent the only control options available. In a future 
    rulemaking (UNDS Phase II), EPA and DOD will perform a more detailed 
    assessment of the MPCD control options available for each class of 
    vessels and develop MPCD performance standards for the discharges 
    requiring control. The Phase II rule may distinguish among vessel types 
    and sizes, between new and existing vessels, and may determine that 
    MPCD standards are not necessary or appropriate for a particular type 
    or age of vessel. See CWA section 312(n)(3)(B) and (C).
        Under Executive Order 13089 (63 FR 32701, June 16, 1998), all 
    Federal agencies whose actions may affect U.S. coral reef ecosystems 
    shall identify these actions, and use their programs and authorities to 
    protect and enhance the conditions of such ecosystems. This Phase I 
    rule is only a preliminary step that simply identifies the discharges 
    that will require control and the discharges that will not require 
    control. This rule only makes a final decision for those 14 discharges 
    that will not require controls. These 14 discharges were excluded from 
    control because they exhibit a low potential for causing adverse 
    impacts on the marine environment. Therefore, EPA and DOD have 
    determined that this is not an action that will affect coral reef 
    ecosystems. EPA and DOD will examine the effects of regulated UNDS 
    discharges on coral reefs during Phase II of the UNDS rulemaking, which 
    will establish performance standards for the 25 discharges identified 
    in Phase I as requiring control.
        Under Executive Order 13112 (64 FR 6183, Feb 8, 1999), each Federal 
    agency whose actions may affect the status of invasive species shall, 
    to the extent practicable and permitted by law, identify such actions, 
    and, subject to the availability of appropriations, use relevant 
    programs and authorities to, among other things, prevent, detect, 
    control, and monitor the introduction of invasive species. As discussed 
    above, during Phase I of the UNDS process, we evaluated all discharges 
    for the potential to introduce invasive species. Any discharges that 
    were identified as having the potential for introducing invasive 
    species are required by this rule to be controlled by an MPCD. During 
    Phase II, we will consider the control of invasive species when setting 
    standards for these discharges.
    
    B. Effect on State and Local Laws and Regulations
    
        Today's rule affects State and local laws and regulations in 
    several ways. Under CWA section 312(n)(6), States and their political 
    subdivisions are prohibited from adopting or enforcing any State or 
    local statute or regulation with respect to the discharges exempted 
    from control (listed in Table 2) once this rule is in effect, other 
    than to establish no-discharge zones for these discharges. States and 
    their political subdivisions will be similarly prohibited from adopting 
    or enforcing any statutes or regulations affecting the discharges 
    requiring marine pollution control devices (listed in Table 1) once 
    regulations governing MPCDs for those discharges are in effect.
        Second, this rule establishes the procedural mechanisms by which a 
    State may petition EPA and DOD to review whether a discharge should be 
    controlled by a MPCD. Finally, this rule codifies the process for 
    establishing no-discharge zones (where any release of a
    
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    specified discharge is prohibited) where necessary to protect and 
    enhance the quality of some or all of the waters within a State. These 
    procedures, contained in 40 CFR 1700.6 through 1700.13, are discussed 
    in the preamble for the proposed rule (63 FR at 45326-45328).
    
    II. Legal Authority and Background
    
    A. Clean Water Act Statutory Requirements
    
        This regulation is promulgated under the authority of section 312 
    and 502 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1322 and 1362). The Assistant 
    Secretary of the Navy has been delegated the authority and 
    responsibility of the Secretary of Defense to develop Uniform National 
    Discharge Standards pursuant to section 312 of the Clean Water Act, 
    including authority to sign this final action.
    
    B. Summary of Public Outreach and Consultation With States, Tribes, and 
    Federal Agencies
    
        In developing this rule, EPA and DOD consulted with other 
    interested Federal agencies, States, and environmental organizations. 
    Other Federal agencies that have been involved in UNDS development 
    include the Coast Guard (for the Department of Transportation), the 
    Department of State, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Administration (for the Department of Commerce). The Coast Guard has 
    been involved in all aspects of UNDS development. The other agencies 
    have participated with the DOD, EPA, and the Coast Guard in the UNDS 
    Executive Steering Committee, which is responsible for UNDS policy 
    development and is composed of senior-level managers. Separately, the 
    DOD and EPA have held discussions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
    Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service on UNDS matters.
        Two mechanisms have been used to consult with States. First, a 
    representative from the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) is a 
    member of the Executive Steering Committee. ECOS is the national 
    association of State and territorial environmental commissioners and 
    has been established, in part, to provide State positions on 
    environmental issues to EPA. Second, representatives from the Navy (as 
    the lead for the DOD), EPA, and the Coast Guard met with each State 
    expressing an interest in the UNDS development. Information on 
    participation of States in the consultation meetings and the subjects 
    discussed is presented in the Technical Development Document and 
    supporting documents in the public record for this rule. See ``Uniform 
    National Discharge Standards (UNDS) State Consultation Meetings (Round 
    #1) Compendium of Minutes'' and ``Uniform National Discharge Standards 
    (UNDS) Consultation Meetings (Round #2) Compendium of Minutes.''
        The Navy and EPA publish a newsletter that contains feature 
    articles on UNDS-related subjects (e.g., nonindigenous species, Navy 
    research and development programs), provides answers to frequently 
    asked questions, and provides an update on recent progress and upcoming 
    events. The newsletter is mailed to State and environmental group 
    representatives, Armed Forces and EPA contacts, and interested members 
    of the general public. The Navy also maintains an UNDS web site on the 
    Internet (http://206.5.146.100/n45/doc/unds/unds.html) that provides 
    UNDS legislative information, a summary of the technical and management 
    approach to rule development, and a description of the benefits 
    expected to result from the development of UNDS.
        In August 1998, EPA and DOD also sent an informational letter and 
    fact sheet on UNDS to members of EPA's Tribal Operations Committee and 
    38 intertribal organizations. The Tribal Operations Committee is 
    comprised of 19 Tribal leaders or their Environmental Program Managers 
    (referred to as the ``Tribal Caucus'') and EPA's Senior Leadership 
    Team, including the Administrator, the Deputy Administrator and EPA's 
    Assistant Administrators and Regional Administrators.
    
    III. Description of Armed Forces Vessels
    
        Section 312(a)(14) of the CWA, as amended by the National Defense 
    Authorization Act of 1996, defines a vessel of the Armed Forces as 
    ``(A) any vessel owned or operated by the Department of Defense, other 
    than a time or voyage chartered vessel; and (B) any vessel owned or 
    operated by the Department of Transportation that is designated by the 
    Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating as a 
    vessel equivalent to a vessel [owned or operated by the DOD].'' Section 
    312 of the CWA defines new vessel and existing vessel as every 
    description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or 
    capable of being used, as a means of transportation on the navigable 
    waters of the United States. See CWA sections 312(a)(1) and 312(a)(2). 
    Also see 40 CFR 140.1(d).
        The scope of the UNDS legislation addresses incidental discharges 
    from over 7,000 vessels (i.e., ships, submarines, and small boats and 
    craft) of differing designs and mission requirements. The Armed Forces 
    that operate vessels subject to UNDS include the Navy, Military Sealift 
    Command, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Table 3 
    summarizes the number of vessels operated by each of these branches of 
    the Armed Forces as of August 1997. Armed Forces vessels and their 
    operating locations are discussed in more detail in the Technical 
    Development Document and in the preamble to the proposed rule. See 63 
    FR at 45302-45304.
        This rule applies only to Armed Forces vessels. This rule does not 
    apply to commercial vessels; privately owned vessels; vessels owned or 
    operated by State, local, or tribal governments; vessels under the 
    jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers; vessels, other than those 
    of the Coast Guard, under the jurisdiction of the Department of 
    Transportation; vessels owned or operated by other Federal agencies 
    that are not part of the Armed Forces; vessels preserved as memorials 
    and museums; time- and voyage-chartered vessels; vessels under 
    construction; vessels in drydock; and amphibious vehicles. For 
    additional discussion regarding the types of vessels that are beyond 
    the scope of this rule, see the Technical Development Document.
    
             Table 3.--Number of Armed Forces Vessels (August 1997)
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Number of
                        Branch of armed forces                      vessels
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Navy.........................................................      4,760
    Military Sealift Command.....................................         57
    Army.........................................................        334
    Marine Corps.................................................        538
    Air Force....................................................         36
    Coast Guard..................................................      1,445
                                                                  ----------
        Total:...................................................      7,170
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    IV. Developments Since Proposal
    
    A. Peer Review
    
        A technical report was prepared for each of the discharges covered 
    by this rule. These Nature of Discharge (NOD) reports include a 
    discussion of how the discharge is generated, discharge volumes and 
    frequencies, where the discharge occurs, chemical constituents present 
    in the discharge, and relevant regulatory information. The NOD reports 
    also present an assessment of the potential for a discharge to cause an 
    adverse impact on the marine environment. NOD reports for each 
    discharge are included as an appendix
    
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    to the Technical Development Document.
        NOD reports for five discharges were selected for peer review. Peer 
    reviewers were asked whether the data and process information presented 
    in the NOD reports are sufficient to characterize the discharges; 
    whether the analyses are appropriate for the discharges; and whether 
    the conclusions regarding the discharges' potential for causing adverse 
    environmental impacts are supported by the information presented in the 
    NOD reports.
        Comments submitted by the peer reviewers are compiled in the ``Peer 
    Review Comments Document for Nature of Discharge Reports,'' which is in 
    the rulemaking record. Specific responses to peer review comments and 
    how those comments were addressed in developing the final rule are 
    provided in the document titled ``Uniform National Discharge Standards 
    for Vessels of the Armed Forces Phase I Response to Peer Review 
    Comments.'' Except as discussed below, the changes resulting from peer 
    review were largely editorial.
        Upon reviewing the comments, EPA and DOD reassessed the steam 
    condensate discharge by comparing the constituent concentrations to 
    chronic, rather than acute, water quality criteria because the 
    discharge can be either intermittent or continuous. The constituents 
    exceeding the chronic criteria are the same as those exceeding the 
    acute water quality criteria. As discussed in the preamble to the 
    proposed rule, EPA and DOD determined that because of the low mass 
    loadings released in the discharge (a fleetwide total of 49 lbs/year 
    copper and 28 lbs/year nickel; the mass discharged in any given port is 
    only a fraction of that total), the steam condensate discharge has a 
    low potential to cause an adverse impact on the marine environment. 
    Comparing the steam condensate discharge to chronic water quality 
    criteria does not change this conclusion.
        Several comments addressed the thermal analysis of the steam 
    condensate discharge. The potential for adverse thermal impacts from 
    the steam condensate discharge is discussed below in section IV.B.2 of 
    the preamble.
    
    B. Public Comments
    
        Only two letters providing comments on the proposed rule were 
    received--both from States. The most significant of these comments 
    addressed:
         The types of MPCDs that should be considered in setting 
    performance standards or the constituents the MPCDs should be designed 
    to remove;
         The methodology used in Phase I to assess the potential 
    for discharges to cause adverse impacts on the marine environment;
         The relationship of UNDS to the establishment of total 
    maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for waterbodies and the imposition of 
    wasteload allocations; and
         The exclusion of National Defense Reserve Fleet vessels 
    from UNDS requirements.
        A detailed discussion of EPA and DOD's responses to the comments on 
    the proposed rule is provided in ``Response to Public Comments on 
    Proposed Uniform National Discharge Standards, Phase I,'' which is in 
    the rulemaking record. An overview of the more significant comments is 
    presented below.
    1. MPCD Design
        The comments regarding MPCDs generally raised issues that will be 
    addressed during the development of the Phase II rule and are beyond 
    the scope of this Phase I rule. For example, the comments suggested 
    that pierside MPCDs should be considered during the development of UNDS 
    and identified certain constituents that MPCDs should be designed to 
    remove (i.e., pathogens in graywater, and non-indigenous aquatic 
    species in dirty ballast water and compensated fuel ballast water). In 
    UNDS Phase II, EPA and DOD will perform a more detailed assessment of 
    the MPCD control options available for each class of vessels and 
    promulgate MPCD performance standards for the discharges requiring 
    control.
    2. Environmental Assessment Methodology
        With respect to the comments about the environmental assessment 
    methodology used for this rule, EPA and DOD believe that the analyses 
    performed for this rule are consistent with the requirements of CWA 
    section 312(n) and are sufficient for the purpose of determining which 
    discharges should require the use of a MPCD to mitigate adverse impacts 
    on the marine environment, and to determine for which discharges it is 
    not reasonable and practicable to require the use of a MPCD to mitigate 
    adverse impacts on the marine environment.
        In response to public and peer review comments regarding the 
    hydrodynamic model used to evaluate the thermal effects from steam 
    condensate discharges, EPA and DOD reanalyzed the discharge plume 
    characteristics. First, EPA and DOD reassessed the thermal effects 
    model used at proposal to confirm that accurate values had been used 
    for input parameters such as current velocity and air temperature. This 
    review identified several instances where overly conservative values 
    had been used at proposal (e.g., information in the record shows that a 
    more accurate discharge temperature for modeling thermal effects is 
    180 deg.F rather than the original 212 deg.F), resulting in overstating 
    the thermal effects. EPA and DOD corrected these values in its modeling 
    for the final rule, as discussed in detail in the comment response 
    documents for public and peer review comments, and in the Technical 
    Development Document.
        EPA and DOD also used a more sophisticated model capable of 
    predicting the plume size and temperature, taking into account factors 
    (e.g., tidal effects and turbulent mixing in the water body) that are 
    not adequately taken into account by the model used at proposal. This 
    hydrodynamic and transport model, CH3D, predicts the thermal plume from 
    an aircraft carrier will extend no more than 80 meters from the 
    discharge pipe along the length of the vessel (not extending beyond the 
    end of the ship) and 30 meters away from the vessel.
        The thermal plume from other ships typically docked in Bremerton, 
    Washington was also reassessed using these corrected values. The model 
    results indicate that these ships will not generate a thermal plume 
    exceeding Washington State thermal criteria, and that aircraft carriers 
    are the only vessels that may exceed criteria.
        Both the original and more sophisticated models continue to 
    overestimate the size of the thermal plume because they do not account 
    adequately for either the mixing that initially occurs as the discharge 
    enters the receiving water or the loss of heat to the atmosphere. 
    However, EPA and DOD note that for an aircraft carrier, the predicted 
    plume would cover only about 5% of the width and 2% of the length (less 
    than 0.1% of the total surface area) of the inlet where the ships are 
    docked. Such a localized plume would have a low potential for 
    interfering with the passage of aquatic organisms in the water body and 
    would have a limited impact on the organisms that reside near the water 
    surface. In addition, because the discharge is freshwater (no salinity) 
    and warmer than the receiving water, the plume floats along the surface 
    of the water and has no significant impact on bottom-dwelling 
    organisms. Therefore, the steam condensate discharge has a low 
    potential to cause adverse impacts on the marine environment and the 
    discharge does not require control by a MPCD.
    
    [[Page 25131]]
    
    3. TMDL/Wasteload Allocations
        One commenter asserted that, where Armed Forces vessels are 
    identified as sources contributing to violations of water quality 
    standards, States should be allowed to impose a wasteload allocation to 
    Armed Forces vessels even if it causes the vessels to install pollution 
    control devices not identified by uniform national discharge standards. 
    EPA and DOD disagree with the commenter's assertion. Even though Armed 
    Forces vessels may discharge chemical substances for which TMDLs are 
    being written, section 312(n)(6) of the CWA preempts States from 
    regulating these discharges once the UNDS regulations are effective, 
    including issuing a wasteload allocation (WLA) for these discharges. A 
    State, however, may avail itself of the provisions in CWA section 
    312(n)(7) to establish a no-discharge zone, either through State 
    prohibition or EPA prohibition (see 40 CFR 1700.7-1700.10).
        It is also noted that the UNDS legislation amended the CWA to 
    exclude from the definition of ``pollutant'' a ``discharge incidental 
    to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces'' within the 
    meaning of section 312 of the CWA. CWA Sec. 502(6). Because CWA section 
    303(d)(1)(C) provides that States establish TMDLs for ``pollutants'' 
    which the Administrator identifies under section 402(a)(2) as suitable 
    for such calculation, and because Armed Forces vessel discharges are 
    not ``pollutants'' as that term is defined in the CWA, EPA and DOD 
    interpret the CWA to mean that TMDLs may not be written for discharges 
    incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces.
    4. National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) Vessels
        In its comments, one State questioned the reason for excluding NDRF 
    vessels from the requirements of UNDS. Under CWA section 312(a)(14), a 
    vessel owned or operated by the Department of Transportation is not 
    defined as a ``vessel of the Armed Forces''--and thus is not subject to 
    uniform national discharge standards--unless it has been designated by 
    the Secretary of Transportation as being ``a vessel equivalent to a 
    vessel [owned or operated by the Department of Defense].'' NDRF vessels 
    are owned or operated by the Department of Transportation, and they 
    have not been designated by the Secretary of Transportation as being 
    equivalent to vessels owned or operated by DOD. Consequently, NDRF 
    vessels are not vessels of the Armed Forces, as defined by the statute, 
    and they are not subject to uniform national discharge standards.
    
    V. Related Acts of Congress and Executive Orders
    
    A. Executive Order 12866
    
        Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, Oct. 4, 1993), EPA and 
    DOD must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' and 
    therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the Executive 
    Order. The Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as one that 
    is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) have an annual effect on 
    the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material 
    way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, 
    jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or 
    tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency 
    or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another 
    agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, 
    grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of 
    recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues arising 
    out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles 
    set forth in the Executive Order.
        It has been determined that this Phase I rule is not a 
    ``significant regulatory action'' under the terms of Executive Order 
    12866 and is therefore not subject to OMB review.
    
    B. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    
        Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
    Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
    effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
    governments and the private sector. Under Section 202 of UMRA, EPA 
    generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit 
    analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that 
    may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in 
    the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 
    one year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement 
    is needed, Section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify 
    and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt 
    the least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative 
    that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of Section 205 
    do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, 
    Section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least 
    costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative if the 
    Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation why that 
    alternative was not adopted. Today's rule contains no Federal mandates 
    (under the regulatory provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for State, 
    local, or tribal governments or the private sector. The rule imposes no 
    enforceable duty on any State, local, or tribal governments or the 
    private sector. Thus today's rule is not subject to the requirements of 
    Sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.
        Before EPA establishes any regulatory requirements that may 
    significantly or uniquely affect small governments, including tribal 
    governments, it must have developed under Section 203 of the UMRA a 
    small government agency plan. The plan must provide for notifying 
    potentially affected small governments, enabling officials of affected 
    small governments to have meaningful and timely input in the 
    development of EPA regulatory proposals with significant Federal 
    intergovernmental mandates, and informing, educating, and advising 
    small governments on compliance with regulatory requirements. EPA has 
    determined that this rule contains no regulatory requirements that 
    might significantly or uniquely affect small governments. This rule 
    does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments because the 
    preemption that occurs after promulgation of this rule applies to both 
    large governments (States) as well as their political subdivisions 
    (which would include small governments). Further, the preemption 
    originates from the CWA rather than this rule. Finally, the no-
    discharge zone procedures in the rule would apply only to States, not 
    their political subdivisions. Thus, this rule is not subject to the 
    requirements of Section 203 of the UMRA. Nevertheless, as described 
    elsewhere in this preamble and in the record for the rule, DOD and EPA 
    sought meaningful and timely input from States and localities on this 
    rule.
    
    C. Executive Order 12875: Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership
    
        Under Executive Order 12875, EPA may not issue a regulation that is 
    not required by statute and that creates a mandate upon a State, local 
    or tribal government, unless the Federal government provides the funds 
    necessary to pay the direct compliance costs incurred by those 
    governments, or EPA consults with those governments. If EPA complies by 
    consulting, Executive Order 12875 requires EPA to provide to the Office 
    of Management and Budget a
    
    [[Page 25132]]
    
    description of the extent of EPA's prior consultation with 
    representatives of affected State, local and tribal governments, the 
    nature of their concerns, any written communications from the 
    governments, and a statement supporting the need to issue the 
    regulation. In addition, Executive Order 12875 requires EPA to develop 
    an effective process permitting elected officials and other 
    representatives of State, local and tribal governments ``to provide 
    meaningful and timely input in the development of regulatory proposals 
    containing significant unfunded mandates.''
        Today's rule does not create a mandate on State, local or tribal 
    governments. The rule does not impose any enforceable duties on these 
    entities. The rule applies to vessels of the Armed Forces. Accordingly, 
    the requirements of section 1(a) of Executive Order 12875 do not apply 
    to this rule.
    
    D. Executive Order 13084: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
    Tribal Governments
    
        Under Executive Order 13084, EPA may not issue a regulation that is 
    not required by statute, that significantly or uniquely affects the 
    communities of Indian tribal governments, and that imposes substantial 
    direct compliance costs on those communities, unless the Federal 
    government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 
    costs incurred by the tribal governments, or EPA consults with those 
    governments. If EPA complies by consulting, Executive Order 13084 
    requires EPA to provide to the Office of Management and Budget, in a 
    separately identified section of the preamble to the rule, a 
    description of the extent of EPA's prior consultation with 
    representatives of affected tribal governments, a summary of the nature 
    of their concerns, and a statement supporting the need to issue the 
    regulation. In addition, Executive Order 13084 requires EPA to develop 
    an effective process permitting elected officials and other 
    representatives of Indian tribal governments ``to provide meaningful 
    and timely input in the development of regulatory policies on matters 
    that significantly or uniquely affect their communities.''
        Today's rule does not significantly or uniquely affect the 
    communities of Indian tribal governments. As previously discussed, this 
    rule does not impose any mandates on tribal governments. Further, as 
    discussed elsewhere in this preamble and the record to the rule, EPA 
    and DOD do not anticipate any significant or unique effects to 
    communities of Indian tribal governments. Accordingly, the requirements 
    of section 3(b) of Executive Order 13084 do not apply to this rule.
    
    E. Regulatory Flexibility Act, as Amended by the Small Business 
    Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
    
        Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
    as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
    (SBREFA), EPA and DOD generally are required to prepare a regulatory 
    flexibility analysis describing the impact of the regulatory action on 
    small entities as part of rulemaking. However, under section 605(b) of 
    the RFA, if the Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of Defense 
    certify that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities, EPA and DOD are not required to 
    prepare that analysis. The RFA recognizes three kinds of small 
    entities, and defines them as follows: (1) Small governmental 
    jurisdictions: any government of a district with a population of less 
    than 50,000; (2) Small business: any business which is independently 
    owned and operated and not dominant in its field, as defined by the 
    Small Business Administration regulations under the Small Business Act; 
    and (3) Small organization: any not for profit enterprise that is 
    independently owned and operated and not dominant in its field. This 
    Phase I rule addresses discharges from vessels of the Armed Forces and 
    imposes information collection requirements on States that wish to 
    establish no-discharge zones or petition the Secretary of Defense and 
    the Administrator to review a determination regarding the need for a 
    marine pollution control device or a standard issued under Phase II of 
    the rule. Small entities are not affected by this rule. Pursuant to 
    section 605(b) of the RFA, the Administrator and the Secretary certify 
    that this Phase I rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities.
    
    F. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
    information collection requirements contained in this rule under the 
    provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., as 
    an amendment to the collection assigned OMB control number 2040-0187. 
    There were no OMB or public comments on this information collection 
    request.
        There are three information collections associated with this rule, 
    each of which is required by statute in order for a State to obtain a 
    benefit. Each information collection is discussed separately below 
    (including authority and projected annual hour and cost burdens). The 
    total projected annual hour burden for all three information 
    collections is 958 hours; the projected annual cost burden is $31,871.
        In order for a State to establish a No-discharge Zone (NDZ) by 
    State prohibition, EPA must make the following determinations: (i) that 
    adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the discharge 
    are reasonably available for the waters to which the prohibition would 
    apply; and (ii) that the prohibition will not have the effect of 
    discriminating against a vessel of the Armed Forces by reason of the 
    ownership or operation by the Federal Government, or the military 
    function, of the vessel (see CWA section 312(n)(7)(A), 33 U.S.C. 
    1322(n)(7)(A)). The State must provide EPA enough information to be 
    able to make those determinations. The specific information being 
    requested is listed in 40 CFR 1700.9(a). The information requested from 
    the State will be used by EPA to make the determinations it is required 
    to make by law in order for a State prohibition to be effective.
        The projected annual hour burden for requests by a State to EPA to 
    make the determinations required for the State to establish a NDZ by 
    State prohibition is 717 hours (with an average of 179.25 burden hours 
    per response and an estimated 4 respondents per year). The projected 
    annual cost burden is $23,815 (with an average of $23,215 for labor, $0 
    for capital and start-up costs, $600 for operation and maintenance, and 
    $0 for the purchase of services).
        In order for EPA to establish a NDZ by EPA prohibition (upon 
    application of a State), EPA must make the following determinations: 
    (i) that the protection and enhancement of the quality of the specified 
    waters require a prohibition of the discharge; (ii) that adequate 
    facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the discharge are 
    reasonably available for the waters to which the prohibition would 
    apply; and (iii) that the prohibition will not have the effect of 
    discriminating against a vessel of the Armed Forces by reason of the 
    ownership or operation by the Federal Government, or the military 
    function, of the vessel (see CWA section 312(n)(7)(B), 33 U.S.C. 
    1322(n)(7)(B)). The State must provide EPA enough information to be 
    able to make those determinations. The specific information being 
    requested is listed in 40 CFR 1700.10(a). The information requested 
    from the State will be used by EPA to make the determinations it is
    
    [[Page 25133]]
    
    required to make by law in order to establish a NDZ.
        The projected annual hour burden for applications by a State to EPA 
    to establish a NDZ by EPA prohibition is 194.25 hours (with an average 
    of 194.25 burden hours per response and an estimated 1 respondent per 
    year). The projected annual cost burden is $6,478 (with an average of 
    $6,328 for labor, $0 for capital and start-up costs, $150 for operation 
    and maintenance, and $0 for the purchase of services).
        The Governor of any State may request EPA and the Secretary of 
    Defense to review (i) a determination of whether an UNDS discharge 
    requires a control, or (ii) a standard of performance for a control on 
    an UNDS discharge, by submitting a petition which discusses significant 
    new scientific and technical information that could reasonably result 
    in a change to the determination or standard (see CWA section 
    312(n)(5)(D), 33 U.S.C. 1322(n)(5)(D)). The State must provide EPA this 
    information and a discussion of how the information is relevant to one 
    or more of the seven factors which EPA and the Secretary of Defense are 
    required to consider in making these determinations and standards (see 
    CWA section 312(n)(2)(B), 33 U.S.C. 1322(n)(2)(B)). These requirements 
    are listed in 40 CFR 1700.12. The information requested from the State 
    will be used by EPA and the Secretary of Defense in order to review any 
    determinations and standards promulgated under UNDS.
        The projected annual hour burden for petitions from a State to EPA 
    and DOD to review a determination or standard is 46.25 hours (with an 
    average of 46.25 burden hours per response and an estimated 1 
    respondent per year). The projected annual cost burden is $1,578 (with 
    an average of $1,428 for labor, $0 for capital and start-up costs, $150 
    for operation and maintenance, and $0 for the purchase of services).
        Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources 
    expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or 
    provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time 
    needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize 
    technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and 
    verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and 
    disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to 
    comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; 
    train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; 
    search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; 
    and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
        An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
    to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
    currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
    regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15. EPA is 
    amending the table in 40 CFR part 9 of currently approved ICR control 
    numbers issued by OMB for various regulations to list the information 
    requirements contained in this final rule.
    
    G. Executive Order 13045
    
        Executive Order 13045: ``Protection of Children from Environmental 
    Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) applies 
    to any rule that: (1) is determined to be ``economically significant'' 
    as defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an 
    environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may 
    have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action 
    meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health 
    or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 
    planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
    reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.
        EPA interprets E.O. 13045 as applying only to those regulatory 
    actions that are based on health or safety risks, such that the 
    analysis required under section 5-501 of the Order has the potential to 
    influence the regulation. This rule is not subject to E.O. 13045 
    because it is not economically significant under E.O. 12866 and it does 
    not establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate health or 
    safety risks.
    
    H. Endangered Species Act
    
        EPA and DOD have discussed the applicability of the Endangered 
    Species Act (ESA) to the three phases of the Uniform National Discharge 
    Standards rulemaking with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 
    National Marine Fisheries Service. As Phase I is a preliminary step, 
    simply identifying the discharges that will require control and the 
    discharges that will not require control, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
    Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service have agreed that the 
    consultation requirements of section 7 of the ESA do not apply to this 
    rule. If EPA and DOD determine that Phase II may affect listed species, 
    EPA and DOD will initiate consultation during Phase II of the UNDS 
    rulemaking, which will establish performance standards for the 
    discharges identified in Phase I as requiring control.
    
    I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    
        Under section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and 
    Advancement Act (NTTAA), EPA and DOD are required to use voluntary 
    consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless to do so 
    would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. 
    Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials 
    specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, business practices, 
    etc.) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards 
    bodies. Where available and potentially applicable voluntary consensus 
    standards are not used by EPA or DOD, the Act requires the Agency and 
    Department to provide Congress, through the Office of Management and 
    Budget, an explanation of the reasons for not using such standards.
        EPA and DOD find that this rule does not address any technical 
    standards subject to the NTTAA. It simply addresses which discharges 
    would or would not require a MPCD.
    
    J. Congressional Review Act
    
        The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
    Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
    provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
    the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
    to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
    United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
    required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
    Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
    to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
    take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
    Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
    804(2). This rule will be effective June 9, 1999.
    
    Appendix to the Preamble--Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Other Terms 
    Used in This Document
    
    Administrator--The Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection 
    Agency
    CFR--U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
    Clean Water Act--The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 
    1972 (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.)
    CWA--Clean Water Act
    DOD--U.S. Department of Defense
    
    [[Page 25134]]
    
    EPA--U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    MPCD--Marine pollution control device
    NDRF--National Defense Reserve Fleet
    No-discharge zone--An area of water into which one or more specified 
    discharges is prohibited, as established under procedures set forth in 
    40 CFR 1700.7 to 1700.10
    UNDS--Uniform national discharge standards
    
    List of Subjects
    
    40 CFR Part 9
    
        Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    40 CFR Part 1700
    
        Environmental protection, Armed Forces, Vessels, Coastal zone, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water pollution control.
    
        Dated: April 27, 1999.
    Carol M. Browner,
    Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
    
        Dated: April 7, 1999.
    Robert B. Pirie, Jr.,
    Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment).
    
        For the reasons set forth in the preamble, EPA amends 40 CFR 
    Chapter I and EPA and DOD establish 40 CFR chapter VII of the Code of 
    Federal Regulations consisting of part 1700 as follows:
    
    CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    PART 9--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 7 U.S.C. 135 et seq., 136-136y; 15 U.S.C. 2001, 2003, 
    2005, 2006. 2601-2671; 21 U.S.C. 331j, 346a, 348; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 33 
    U.S.C. 1251 et seq.,1311, 1313d, 1314, 1318, 1321, 1326, 1330, 1342, 
    1344, 1345 (d) and (e), 1361; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-
    1975 Comp. P.973; 42 U.S.C. 241, 242b, 243, 246, 300f, 300g, 300g-1, 
    300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g-5, 300g-6, 300j-1, 300j-2, 300j-3, 
    300j-4, 300j-9, 1857 et seq., 6901-6992k, 7401-7671q, 7542, 9601-
    9657, 11023, 11048.
    
    40 CFR CHAPTER VII--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT OF 
    DEFENSE
    
        2. In Sec. .9.1 the table is amended by adding a new heading with 
    an entry in numerical order to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. .9.1  OMB approvals under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    
    * * * * *
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 OMB control
                          40 CFR citation                            No.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
           *        *        *          *          *        *        *
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1700.9-1700.12.............................................    2040-0187
     
           *        *        *          *          *        *        *
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        3. Chapter VII consisting of Part 1700 is established to read 
    follows:
    
    CHAPTER VII--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE; 
    UNIFORM NATIONAL DISCHARGE STANDARDS FOR VESSELS OF THE ARMED FORCES
    
    PART 1700--UNIFORM NATIONAL DISCHARGE STANDARDS FOR VESSELS OF THE 
    ARMED FORCES
    
    Subpart A--Scope
    
    Sec.
    1700.1  Applicability.
    1700.2  Effect.
    1700.3  Definitions.
    
    Subpart B--Discharge Determinations
    
    1700.4  Discharges requiring control.
    1700.5  Discharges not requiring control.
    
    Subpart C--Effect on States
    
    1700.6  Effect on State and local statutes and regulations.
    
    No-Discharge Zones
    
    1700.7  No-discharge zones.
    1700.8  Discharges for which no-discharge zones can be established.
    1700.9  No-discharge zones by State prohibition.
    1700.10  No-discharge zones by EPA prohibition.
    
    State Petition for Review
    
    1700.11  State petition for review of determinations or standards.
    1700.12  Petition requirements.
    1700.13  Petition decisions.
    
    Subpart D--Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance Standards
    
    1700.14  Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance 
    Standards. [reserved]
    
        Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1322, 1361.
    
    Subpart A--Scope
    
    
    Sec. 1700.1  Applicability.
    
        (a) This part applies to the owners and operators of Armed Forces 
    vessels, except where the Secretary of Defense finds that compliance 
    with this part is not in the interest of the national security of the 
    United States. This part does not apply to vessels while they are under 
    construction, vessels in drydock, amphibious vehicles, or vessels under 
    the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation other than those 
    of the Coast Guard.
        (b) This part also applies to States and political subdivisions of 
    States.
    
    
    Sec. 1700.2  Effect.
    
        (a) This part identifies those discharges, other than sewage, 
    incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels that require 
    control within the navigable waters of the United States and the waters 
    of the contiguous zone, and those discharges that do not require 
    control. Discharges requiring control are identified in Sec. 1700.4. 
    Discharges not requiring control are identified in Sec. 1700.5. Federal 
    standards of performance for each required Marine Pollution Control 
    Device are listed in Sec. 1700.14. This part is not applicable beyond 
    the contiguous zone.
        (b) This part prohibits States and their political subdivisions 
    from adopting or enforcing State or local statutes or regulations 
    controlling the discharges from Armed Forces vessels listed in 
    Secs. 1700.4 and 1700.5 according to the timing provisions in 
    Sec. 1700.6, except to establish a no-discharge zone by State 
    prohibition in accordance with Sec. 1700.9, or to apply for a no-
    discharge zone by EPA prohibition in accordance with Sec. 1700.10. This 
    part also provides a mechanism for States to petition the Administrator 
    and the Secretary to review a determination of whether a discharge 
    requires control, or to review a Federal standard of performance for a 
    Marine Pollution Control Device, in accordance with Secs. 1700.11 
    through 1700.13.
    
    
    Sec. 1700.3  Definitions.
    
        Administrator means the Administrator of the United States 
    Environmental Protection Agency or that person's authorized 
    representative.
        Armed Forces vessel means a vessel owned or operated by the United 
    States Department of Defense or the United States Coast Guard, other 
    than vessels that are time or voyage chartered by the Armed Forces, 
    vessels of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or vessels that are 
    memorials or museums.
        Discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel means a 
    discharge, including, but not limited to: graywater, bilgewater, 
    cooling water, weather deck runoff, ballast water, oil water separator 
    effluent, and any other pollutant discharge from the operation of a 
    marine propulsion system, shipboard maneuvering system, crew 
    habitability system, or installed major equipment, such as an aircraft 
    carrier elevator or a catapult, or from a protective,
    
    [[Page 25135]]
    
    preservative, or absorptive application to the hull of a vessel; and a 
    discharge in connection with the testing, maintenance, and repair of 
    any of the aforementioned systems whenever the vessel is waterborne, 
    including pierside. A discharge incidental to normal operation does not 
    include:
        (1) Sewage;
        (2) A discharge of rubbish, trash, or garbage;
        (3) A discharge of air emissions resulting from the operation of a 
    vessel propulsion system, motor driven equipment, or incinerator;
        (4) A discharge that requires a National Pollutant Discharge 
    Elimination System (NPDES) permit under the Clean Water Act; or
        (5) A discharge containing source, special nuclear, or byproduct 
    materials regulated by the Atomic Energy Act.
        Environmental Protection Agency, abbreviated EPA, means the United 
    States Environmental Protection Agency.
        Marine Pollution Control Device, abbreviated MPCD, means any 
    equipment or management practice installed or used on an Armed Forces 
    vessel that is designed to receive, retain, treat, control, or 
    discharge a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, 
    and that is determined by the Administrator and Secretary to be the 
    most effective equipment or management practice to reduce the 
    environmental impacts of the discharge consistent with the 
    considerations in Clean Water Act section 312(n)(2)(B).
        No-discharge zone means an area of specified waters established 
    pursuant to this regulation into which one or more specified discharges 
    incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels, whether 
    treated or untreated, are prohibited.
        Secretary means the Secretary of the United States Department of 
    Defense or that person's authorized representative.
        United States includes the States, the District of Columbia, the 
    Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
    the Canal Zone, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
        Vessel includes every description of watercraft or other artificial 
    contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of 
    transportation on navigable waters of the United States or waters of 
    the contiguous zone, but does not include amphibious vehicles.
    
    Subpart B--Discharge Determinations
    
    
    Sec. 1700.4  Discharges requiring control.
    
        For the following discharges incidental to the normal operation of 
    Armed Forces vessels, the Administrator and the Secretary have 
    determined that it is reasonable and practicable to require use of a 
    Marine Pollution Control Device for at least one class of vessel to 
    mitigate adverse impacts on the marine environment:
        (a) Aqueous Film-Forming Foam: the firefighting foam and seawater 
    mixture discharged during training, testing, or maintenance operations.
        (b) Catapult Water Brake Tank & Post-Launch Retraction Exhaust: the 
    oily water skimmed from the water tank used to stop the forward motion 
    of an aircraft carrier catapult, and the condensed steam discharged 
    when the catapult is retracted.
        (c) Chain Locker Effluent: the accumulated precipitation and 
    seawater that is emptied from the compartment used to store the 
    vessel's anchor chain.
        (d) Clean Ballast: the seawater taken into, and discharged from, 
    dedicated ballast tanks to maintain the stability of the vessel and to 
    adjust the buoyancy of submarines.
        (e) Compensated Fuel Ballast: the seawater taken into, and 
    discharged from, ballast tanks designed to hold both ballast water and 
    fuel to maintain the stability of the vessel.
        (f) Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid: the hydraulic 
    fluid that discharges into the surrounding seawater from propeller 
    seals as part of normal operation, and the hydraulic fluid released 
    during routine maintenance of the propellers.
        (g) Deck Runoff: the precipitation, washdowns, and seawater falling 
    on the weather deck of a vessel and discharged overboard through deck 
    openings.
        (h) Dirty Ballast: the seawater taken into, and discharged from, 
    empty fuel tanks to maintain the stability of the vessel.
        (i) Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine: the concentrated 
    seawater (brine) produced as a byproduct of the processes used to 
    generate freshwater from seawater.
        (j) Elevator Pit Effluent: the liquid that accumulates in, and is 
    discharged from, the sumps of elevator wells on vessels.
        (k) Firemain Systems: the seawater pumped through the firemain 
    system for firemain testing, maintenance, and training, and to supply 
    water for the operation of certain vessel systems.
        (l) Gas Turbine Water Wash: the water released from washing gas 
    turbine components.
        (m) Graywater: galley, bath, and shower water, as well as 
    wastewater from lavatory sinks, laundry, interior deck drains, water 
    fountains, and shop sinks.
        (n) Hull Coating Leachate: the constituents that leach, dissolve, 
    ablate, or erode from the paint on the hull into the surrounding 
    seawater.
        (o) Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge: the seawater taken 
    into, and discharged from, motor gasoline tanks to eliminate free space 
    where vapors could accumulate.
        (p) Non-Oily machinery wastewater: the combined wastewater from the 
    operation of distilling plants, water chillers, valve packings, water 
    piping, low- and high-pressure air compressors, and propulsion engine 
    jacket coolers.
        (q) Photographic Laboratory Drains: the laboratory wastewater 
    resulting from processing of photographic film.
        (r) Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge: the discharge of seawater 
    from a dedicated system that provides noncontact cooling water for 
    other vessel systems.
        (s) Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention: the discharge of 
    seawater containing additives used to prevent the growth and attachment 
    of biofouling organisms in dedicated seawater cooling systems on 
    selected vessels.
        (t) Small Boat Engine Wet Exhaust: the seawater that is mixed and 
    discharged with small boat propulsion engine exhaust to cool the 
    exhaust and quiet the engine.
        (u) Sonar Dome Discharge: the leaching of antifoulant materials 
    into the surrounding seawater and the release of seawater or freshwater 
    retained within the sonar dome.
        (v) Submarine Bilgewater: the wastewater from a variety of sources 
    that accumulates in the lowest part of the submarine (i.e., bilge).
        (w) Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water Separator Effluent: the 
    wastewater from a variety of sources that accumulates in the lowest 
    part of the vessel (the bilge), and the effluent produced when the 
    wastewater is processed by an oil water separator.
        (x) Underwater Ship Husbandry: the materials discharged during the 
    inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and repair of hulls performed while 
    the vessel is waterborne.
        (y) Welldeck Discharges: the water that accumulates from seawater 
    flooding of the docking well (welldeck) of a vessel used to transport, 
    load, and unload amphibious vessels, and from maintenance and 
    freshwater washings of the welldeck and equipment and vessels stored in 
    the welldeck.
    
    
    Sec. 1700.5  Discharges not requiring control.
    
        For the following discharges incidental to the normal operation of 
    Armed Forces vessels, the Administrator and the Secretary have
    
    [[Page 25136]]
    
    determined that it is not reasonable or practicable to require use of a 
    Marine Pollution Control Device to mitigate adverse impacts on the 
    marine environment:
        (a) Boiler Blowdown: the water and steam discharged when a steam 
    boiler is blown down, or when a steam safety valve is tested.
        (b) Catapult Wet Accumulator Discharge: the water discharged from a 
    catapult wet accumulator, which stores a steam/water mixture for 
    launching aircraft from an aircraft carrier.
        (c) Cathodic Protection: the constituents released into surrounding 
    water from sacrificial anode or impressed current cathodic hull 
    corrosion protection systems.
        (d) Freshwater Lay-up: the potable water that is discharged from 
    the seawater cooling system while the vessel is in port, and the 
    cooling system is in lay-up mode (a standby mode where seawater in the 
    system is replaced with potable water for corrosion protection).
        (e) Mine Countermeasures Equipment Lubrication: the constituents 
    released into the surrounding seawater by erosion or dissolution from 
    lubricated mine countermeasures equipment when the equipment is 
    deployed and towed.
        (f) Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Discharge: the seawater 
    pumped through the portable damage control drain pump and discharged 
    overboard during testing, maintenance, and training activities.
        (g) Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Wet Exhaust: the seawater 
    mixed and discharged with portable damage control drain pump exhaust to 
    cool the exhaust and quiet the engine.
        (h) Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Condensate: the drainage of 
    condensed moisture from air conditioning units, refrigerators, 
    freezers, and refrigerated spaces.
        (i) Rudder Bearing Lubrication: the oil or grease released by the 
    erosion or dissolution from lubricated bearings that support the rudder 
    and allow it to turn freely.
        (j) Steam Condensate: the condensed steam discharged from a vessel 
    in port, where the steam originates from port facilities.
        (k) Stern Tube Seals and Underwater Bearing Lubrication: the 
    seawater pumped through stern tube seals and underwater bearings to 
    lubricate and cool them during normal operation.
        (l) Submarine Acoustic Countermeasures Launcher Discharge: the 
    seawater that is mixed with acoustic countermeasure device propulsion 
    gas following a countermeasure launch that is then exchanged with 
    surrounding seawater, or partially drained when the launch assembly is 
    removed from the submarine for maintenance.
        (m) Submarine Emergency Diesel Engine Wet Exhaust: the seawater 
    that is mixed and discharged with submarine emergency diesel engine 
    exhaust to cool the exhaust and quiet the engine.
        (n) Submarine Outboard Equipment Grease and External Hydraulics: 
    the grease released into the surrounding seawater by erosion or 
    dissolution from submarine equipment exposed to seawater.
    
    Subpart C--Effect on States
    
    
    Sec. 1700.6  Effect on State and local statutes and regulations.
    
        (a) After the effective date of a final rule determining that it is 
    not reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution 
    Control Device regarding a particular discharge incidental to the 
    normal operation of an Armed Forces vessel, States or political 
    subdivisions of States may not adopt or enforce any State or local 
    statute or regulation, including issuance or enforcement of permits 
    under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, controlling 
    that discharge, except that States may establish a no-discharge zone by 
    State prohibition (as provided in Sec. 1700.9), or apply for a no-
    discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in Sec. 1700.10).
        (b)(1) After the effective date of a final rule determining that it 
    is reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution 
    Control Device regarding a particular discharge incidental to the 
    normal operation of an Armed Forces vessel, States may apply for a no-
    discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in Sec. 1700.10) for 
    that discharge.
        (2) After the effective date of a final rule promulgated by the 
    Secretary governing the design, construction, installation, and use of 
    a Marine Pollution Control Device for a discharge listed in 
    Sec. 1700.4, States or political subdivisions of States may not adopt 
    or enforce any State or local statute or regulation, including issuance 
    or enforcement of permits under the National Pollutant Discharge 
    Elimination System, controlling that discharge except that States may 
    establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition (as provided in 
    Sec. 1700.9), or apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as 
    provided in Sec. 1700.10).
        (c) The Governor of any State may submit a petition requesting that 
    the Administrator and Secretary review a determination of whether a 
    Marine Pollution Control Device is required for any discharge listed in 
    Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5, or review a Federal standard of performance 
    for a Marine Pollution Control Device.
    
    No-Discharge Zones
    
    
    Sec. 1700.7  No-discharge zones.
    
        For this part, a no-discharge zone is a waterbody, or portion 
    thereof, where one or more discharges incidental to the normal 
    operation of Armed Forces vessels, whether treated or not, are 
    prohibited. A no-discharge zone is established either by State 
    prohibition using the procedures in Sec. 1700.9, or by EPA prohibition, 
    upon application of a State, using the procedures in Sec. 1700.10.
    
    
    Sec. 1700.8  Discharges for which no-discharge zones can be 
    established.
    
        (a) A no-discharge zone may be established by State prohibition for 
    any discharge listed in Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 following the 
    procedures in Sec. 1700.9. A no-discharge zone established by a State 
    using these procedures may apply only to those discharges that have 
    been preempted from other State or local regulation pursuant to 
    Sec. 1700.6.
        (b) A no-discharge zone may be established by EPA prohibition for 
    any discharge listed in Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 following the 
    procedures in Sec. 1700.10.
    
    
    Sec. 1700.9  No-discharge zones by State prohibition.
    
        (a) A State seeking to establish a no-discharge zone by State 
    prohibition must send to the Administrator the following information:
        (1) The discharge from Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 to be prohibited 
    within the no-discharge zone.
        (2) A detailed description of the waterbody, or portions thereof, 
    to be included in the prohibition. The description must include a map, 
    preferably a USGS topographic quadrant map, clearly marking the zone 
    boundaries by latitude and longitude.
        (3) A determination that the protection and enhancement of the 
    waters described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section require greater 
    environmental protection than provided by existing Federal standards.
        (4) A complete description of the facilities reasonably available 
    for collecting the discharge including:
        (i) A map showing their location(s) and a written location 
    description.
        (ii) A demonstration that the facilities have the capacity and 
    capability to provide safe and sanitary removal of the volume of 
    discharge being prohibited in terms of both vessel berthing and 
    discharge reception.
        (iii) The schedule of operating hours of the facilities.
    
    [[Page 25137]]
    
        (iv) The draft requirements of the vessel(s) that will be required 
    to use the facilities and the available water depth at the facilities.
        (v) Information showing that handling of the discharge at the 
    facilities is in conformance with Federal law.
        (5) Information on whether vessels other than those of the Armed 
    Forces are subject to the same type of prohibition. If the State is not 
    applying the prohibition to all vessels in the area, the State must 
    demonstrate the technical or environmental basis for applying the 
    prohibition only to Armed Forces vessels. The following information 
    must be included in the technical or environmental basis for treating 
    Armed Forces vessels differently:
        (i) An analysis showing the relative contributions of the discharge 
    from Armed Forces and non-Armed Forces vessels.
        (ii) A description of State efforts to control the discharge from 
    non-Armed Forces vessels.
        (b) The information provided under paragraph (a) of this section 
    must be sufficient to enable EPA to make the two determinations listed 
    below. Prior to making these determinations, EPA will consult with the 
    Secretary on the adequacy of the facilities and the operational impact 
    of any prohibition on Armed Forces vessels.
        (1) Adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the 
    discharge are reasonably available for the specified waters.
        (2) The prohibition will not have the effect of discriminating 
    against vessels of the Armed Forces by reason of the ownership or 
    operation by the Federal Government, or the military function, of the 
    vessels.
        (c) EPA will notify the State in writing of the result of the 
    determinations under paragraph (b) of this section, and will provide a 
    written explanation of any negative determinations. A no-discharge zone 
    established by State prohibition will not go into effect until EPA 
    determines that the conditions of paragraph (b) of this section have 
    been met.
    
    
    Sec. 1700.10  No-discharge zones by EPA prohibition.
    
        (a) A State requesting EPA to establish a no-discharge zone must 
    send to the Administrator an application containing the following 
    information:
        (1) The discharge from Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 to be prohibited 
    within the no-discharge zone.
        (2) A detailed description of the waterbody, or portions thereof, 
    to be included in the prohibition. The description must include a map, 
    preferably a USGS topographic quadrant map, clearly marking the zone 
    boundaries by latitude and longitude.
        (3) A technical analysis showing why protection and enhancement of 
    the waters described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section require a 
    prohibition of the discharge. The analysis must provide specific 
    information on why the discharge adversely impacts the zone and how 
    prohibition will protect the zone. In addition, the analysis should 
    characterize any sensitive areas, such as aquatic sanctuaries, fish-
    spawning and nursery areas, pristine areas, areas not meeting water 
    quality standards, drinking water intakes, and recreational areas.
        (4) A complete description of the facilities reasonably available 
    for collecting the discharge including:
        (i) A map showing their location(s) and a written location 
    description.
        (ii) A demonstration that the facilities have the capacity and 
    capability to provide safe and sanitary removal of the volume of 
    discharge being prohibited in terms of both vessel berthing and 
    discharge reception.
        (iii) The schedule of operating hours of the facilities.
        (iv) The draft requirements of the vessel(s) that will be required 
    to use the facilities and the available water depth at the facilities.
        (v) Information showing that handling of the discharge at the 
    facilities is in conformance with Federal law.
        (5) Information on whether vessels other than those of the Armed 
    Forces are subject to the same type of prohibition. If the State is not 
    applying a prohibition to other vessels in the area, the State must 
    demonstrate the technical or environmental basis for applying a 
    prohibition only to Armed Forces vessels. The following information 
    must be included in the technical or environmental basis for treating 
    Armed Forces vessels differently:
        (i) An analysis showing the relative contributions of the discharge 
    from Armed Forces and non-Armed Forces vessels.
        (ii) A description of State efforts to control the discharge from 
    non-Armed Forces vessels.
        (b) The information provided under paragraph (a) of this section 
    must be sufficient to enable EPA to make the three determinations 
    listed below. Prior to making these determinations, EPA will consult 
    with the Secretary on the adequacy of the facilities and the 
    operational impact of the prohibition on Armed Forces vessels.
        (1) The protection and enhancement of the specified waters require 
    a prohibition of the discharge.
        (2) Adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the 
    discharge are reasonably available for the specified waters.
        (3) The prohibition will not have the effect of discriminating 
    against vessels of the Armed Forces by reason of the ownership or 
    operation by the Federal Government, or the military function, or the 
    vessels.
        (c) If the three conditions in paragraph (b) of this section are 
    met, EPA will by regulation establish the no-discharge zone. If the 
    conditions in paragraphs (b) (1) and (3) of this section are met, but 
    the condition in paragraph (b)(2) of this section is not met, EPA may 
    establish the no-discharge zone if it determines that the significance 
    of the waters and the potential impact of the discharge are of 
    sufficient magnitude to warrant any resulting constraints on Armed 
    Forces vessels.
        (d) EPA will notify the State of its decision on the no-discharge 
    zone application in writing. If EPA approves the no-discharge zone 
    application, EPA will by regulation establish the no-discharge zone by 
    modification to this part. A no-discharge zone established by EPA 
    prohibition will not go into effect until the effective date of the 
    regulation.
    
    State Petition for Review
    
    
    Sec. 1700.11  State petition for review of determinations or standards.
    
        The Governor of any State may submit a petition requesting that the 
    Administrator and Secretary review a determination of whether a Marine 
    Pollution Control Device is required for any discharge listed in 
    Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5, or review a Federal standard of performance 
    for a Marine Pollution Control Device. A State may submit a petition 
    only where there is new, significant information not considered 
    previously by the Administrator and Secretary.
    
    
    Sec. 1700.12  Petition requirements.
    
        A petition for review of a determination or standard must include:
        (a) The discharge from Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 for which a 
    change in determination is requested, or the performance standard from 
    Sec. 1700.14 for which review is requested.
        (b) The scientific and technical information on which the petition 
    is based.
        (c) A detailed explanation of why the State believes that 
    consideration of the new information should result in a change to the 
    determination or the standard on a nationwide basis, and an
    
    [[Page 25138]]
    
    explanation of how the new information is relevant to one or more of 
    the following factors:
        (1) The nature of the discharge.
        (2) The environmental effects of the discharge.
        (3) The practicability of using a Marine Pollution Control Device.
        (4) The effect that installation or use of the Marine Pollution 
    Control Device would have on the operation or operational capability of 
    the vessel.
        (5) Applicable United States law.
        (6) Applicable international standards.
        (7) The economic costs of the installation and use of the Marine 
    Pollution Control Device.
    
    
    Sec. 1700.13  Petition decisions.
    
        The Administrator and the Secretary will evaluate the petition and 
    grant or deny the petition no later than two years after the date of 
    receipt of the petition. If the Administrator and Secretary grant the 
    petition, they will undertake rulemaking to amend this part. If the 
    Administrator and Secretary deny the petition, they will provide the 
    State with a written explanation of why they denied it.
    
    Subpart D--Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance 
    Standards
    
    
    Sec. 1700.14  Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance 
    Standards. [Reserved.]
    
    [FR Doc. 99-11164 Filed 5-7-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/9/1999
Published:
05/10/1999
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-11164
Dates:
The regulation shall become effective June 9, 1999.
Pages:
25126-25138 (13 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FRL-6335-5
RINs:
2040-AC96: Uniform National Discharge Standards for Armed Forces Vessels--Phase I
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2040-AC96/uniform-national-discharge-standards-for-armed-forces-vessels-phase-i
PDF File:
99-11164.pdf
CFR: (15)
40 CFR 1700.9)
40 CFR 1700.1
40 CFR 1700.2
40 CFR 1700.3
40 CFR 1700.4
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