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Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2008
A bill to establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels into the waters of the United States, and for other purposes.
Other Bill Titles (2 more) 4/17/2008--Introduced.
Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2008 - Prohibits cruise vessels calling on U.S. ports from discharging sewage, graywater, or bilge water into U.S. waters unless:
(1) the treated effluent meets specified effluent limits and management standards;
(2) the vessel is proceeding at not less than six knots;
(3) the vessel is not less than 12 nautical miles from shore; and
(4) the vessel is not in a no discharge zone. Prohibits the discharge of sewage sludge, incinerator ash, or hazardous waste into U.S. waters and requires it to be off-loaded at appropriate land-based facilities. Prescribes exceptions for:
(1) discharges solely to secure the safety of a vessel or to save a life at sea; and
(2) Alaskan vessels until 10 years after enactment.
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate such effluent limits that:
(1) are consistent with the capability of the best available technology to treat effluent;
(2) require compliance with state and federal water quality standards;
(3) take into account the best available scientific information on environmental effects; and
(4) require treated discharges to meet specified standards for minimum effluent quality, fecal coliform, and residual chlorine. Requires the EPA Administrator to implement a sampling and testing program, and requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to implement an inspection program, sufficient to verify that such vessels are in compliance with this Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and other applicable federal laws and international agreements. Requires the Commandant to establish a program for the placement of trained independent observers on vessels to monitor and inspect vessel operations, equipment, and discharges. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out a pilot program to develop and promote commercialization of technologies to provide federal agencies data regarding discharges from vessels and functioning of vessel components relating to fuel consumption and air and water pollution control.
Calls for enactment of standards for:
(1) ballast water; and
(2) air quality regarding incineration and engine activities of vessels.
Establishes the Cruise Vessel Pollution Control Fund. Requires the Commandant to collect fees from vessels for paying passengers to be deposited in such Fund for use in carrying out this Act.
... moreSee Full Bill Text
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Amendments
This bill has no amendments.
Bill Status
| Introduced |  | Voted on by Senate | | Voted on by House | | Considered By President | | Bill Becomes Law |
| April 17, 2008 |
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Blog Coverage
May 19, 2008 Cruise ships face added scrutiny for wastewater discharges
Richard Durbin, D-Ill., recently introduced the Clean Cruise Ship Act (S. 2881), which would ban discharges in US waters and set federal discharge and monitoring standards offshore. In a news release, Durbin said his interest in this ...
Source: Watching Our Water Ways
April 16, 2008 Bill Action: Introduced: S. 2881: A bill to establish national ...
Richard Durbin [D-IL] introduced S. 2881: A bill to establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels into the waters of the United States, and for other purposes. [This event matched these trackers: Active Legislation ]
April 16, 2008 S. 2881, A bill to establish national standards for discharges ...
S. 2881 would establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels into the waters of the United States.... Vote on This Bill: For | Against.
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