To clarify the circumstances during which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and applicable States may require permits for discharges from certain vessels, and to require the Administrator to conduct a study of discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels.

7/21/2008--Introduced.
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or a state with an approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, from requiring an NPDES permit for a covered vessel for the next two years for any discharge:
(1) of effluent from properly functioning marine engines;
(2) of laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes; or
(3) that is incidental to the normal operation of a covered vessel. Defines "covered vessel" to mean a vessel that is less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel.
Requires the Administrator to evaluate the impacts of such discharges, excluding discharges:
(1) from a vessel of the Armed Forces;
(2) of sewage from a vessel, other than the discharge of graywater from a vessel operating on the Great Lakes; and
(3) of ballast water. Provides that such prohibition does not apply with respect to:
(1) rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials discharged overboard;
(2) other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation;
(3) ballast water discharges; or
(4) any discharge that contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.


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Sponsor

• Rep. James Oberstar [D, MN-8]
• and 2 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Steven LaTourette [R, OH-14]
  • Rep. Gene Taylor [D, MS-4]
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Committees

• House Transportation and Infrastructure

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.6556

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
July 21, 2008

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All Bill Actions

• Jul 21, 2008: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• Introduced on Jul 21, 2008.

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Related Bills:

• S.3298

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Blog Coverage

July 22, 2008 Today in Congress/Open Thread

HR 6556 - To clarify the circumstances during which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and applicable States may require permits for discharges from certain vessels, and to require the Administrator to conduct a ...

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July 20, 2008 HR 6556, To clarify the circumstances during which the ...

HR 6556 would clarify the circumstances during which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and applicable States may require permits for discharges from certain vessels, and it would require the Administrator to ...

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