A bill 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.

7/31/2008--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) 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. Requires the Administrator to:
(1) provide for public comment on a draft of such evaluation; and
(2) submit a final report to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. 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

• Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R, AK]
• and 15 Co-Sponsors
  • Sen. Maria Cantwell [D, WA]
  • Sen. Saxby Chambliss [R, GA]
  • Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME]
  • Elizabeth Dole
  • Sen. John Isakson [R, GA]
  • Sen. John Kerry [D, MA]
  • Sen. Mary Landrieu [D, LA]
  • Sen. Mel Martinez [R, FL]
  • Sen. Patty Murray [D, WA]
  • Sen. Bill Nelson [D, FL]
  • Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME]
  • Ted Stevens
  • Sen. David Vitter [R, LA]
  • Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D, RI]
  • Sen. Roger Wicker [R, MS]
  close

Committees

• House Transportation and Infrastructure

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to S.3298

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by Senate		Voted on by House		Considered By President		This Bill Has Become Law
July 22, 2008		July 22, 2008		July 22, 2008		July 31, 2008		July 31, 2008

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All Bill Actions

• Enacted on Jul 31, 2008. Became Public Law No: 110-299.
• Signed on Jul 31, 2008.
• Jul 25, 2008. Presented to President.
• Passed by voice vote in the House on Jul 22, 2008. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
• Jul 22, 2008: Considered under suspension of the rules.
• Jul 22, 2008: Mr. Oberstar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
• Jul 22, 2008: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3298.
• Jul 22, 2008: Held at the desk.
• Jul 22, 2008: Received in the House.
• Passed by Unanimous Consent in the Senate on Jul 22, 2008. Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
• Jul 22, 2008. Cleared for White House.
• Jul 22, 2008: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
• Introduced on Jul 22, 2008.

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Related Bills:

• H.R.6556

Related Issue Areas:

• Water pollution
• Boats and boating
• Environmental monitoring
• Environmental protection
• 8 more
• Fishing boats
• Law
• Licenses
• Marine pollution
• Marine resources
• Sports
• Transportation
• Water pollution control

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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In the News

July 23, 2008 Small boaters get a break

A second bill (S. 3298), supported by LoBiondo, will provide fishing vessels and other small commercial boats a two year exemption from costly permits and ...

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Source: Cape May County Herald,  United States

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Blog Coverage

December 29, 2008 RegTrak: Environmental Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 249 ...

On July 31, 2008, Senate bill S. 3298 was signed into law (Pub. L. 110-299). This law generally imposes a two-year moratorium during which time neither EPA nor states can require NPDES permits for discharges (except ballast ...

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Source: RegTrak

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August 18, 2008 Recreational boaters and small commercial vessels exempt from CWA ...

2766 and S. 3298. S. 2766 exempts recreational craft from the permit system. However, incidental discharges have to be managed per standards designed by EPA and the Coast Guard. Boaters would continue to be barred from dumping garbage, ...

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Source: Ear To The Ground

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August 01, 2008 Northeast Florida Fishing Report 8-1-08

I also cosponsored S. 3298, which would establish a two-year moratorium on incidental discharge permits for commercial fishing vessels and for all other commercial boats under 79 feet while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ...

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Source: Florida's FIN

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