1. U.S. Code
  2. title 33
  3. chapter 26
  4. subchapter III
  5. § 1321

Collapse to view only § 1321. Oil and hazardous substance liability

§ 1311. Effluent limitations
(a) Illegality of pollutant discharges except in compliance with law
(b) Timetable for achievement of objectivesIn order to carry out the objective of this chapter there shall be achieved—
(1)
(A) not later than July 1, 1977, effluent limitations for point sources, other than publicly owned treatment works, (i) which shall require the application of the best practicable control technology currently available as defined by the Administrator pursuant to section 1314(b) of this title, or (ii) in the case of a discharge into a publicly owned treatment works which meets the requirements of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, which shall require compliance with any applicable pretreatment requirements and any requirements under section 1317 of this title; and
(B) for publicly owned treatment works in existence on July 1, 1977, or approved pursuant to section 1283 of this title prior to June 30, 1974 (for which construction must be completed within four years of approval), effluent limitations based upon secondary treatment as defined by the Administrator pursuant to section 1314(d)(1) of this title; or,
(C) not later than July 1, 1977, any more stringent limitation, including those necessary to meet water quality standards, treatment standards, or schedules of compliance, established pursuant to any State law or regulations (under authority preserved by section 1370 of this title) or any other Federal law or regulation, or required to implement any applicable water quality standard established pursuant to this chapter.
(2)
(A) for pollutants identified in subparagraphs (C), (D), and (F) of this paragraph, effluent limitations for categories and classes of point sources, other than publicly owned treatment works, which (i) shall require application of the best available technology economically achievable for such category or class, which will result in reasonable further progress toward the national goal of eliminating the discharge of all pollutants, as determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Administrator pursuant to section 1314(b)(2) of this title, which such effluent limitations shall require the elimination of discharges of all pollutants if the Administrator finds, on the basis of information available to him (including information developed pursuant to section 1325 of this title), that such elimination is technologically and economically achievable for a category or class of point sources as determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Administrator pursuant to section 1314(b)(2) of this title, or (ii) in the case of the introduction of a pollutant into a publicly owned treatment works which meets the requirements of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, shall require compliance with any applicable pretreatment requirements and any other requirement under section 1317 of this title;
(B) Repealed. Pub. L. 97–117, § 21(b), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1632.
(C) with respect to all toxic pollutants referred to in table 1 of Committee Print Numbered 95–30 of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives compliance with effluent limitations in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph as expeditiously as practicable but in no case later than three years after the date such limitations are promulgated under section 1314(b) of this title, and in no case later than March 31, 1989;
(D) for all toxic pollutants listed under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of section 1317 of this title which are not referred to in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph compliance with effluent limitations in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph as expeditiously as practicable, but in no case later than three years after the date such limitations are promulgated under section 1314(b) of this title, and in no case later than March 31, 1989;
(E) as expeditiously as practicable but in no case later than three years after the date such limitations are promulgated under section 1314(b) of this title, and in no case later than March 31, 1989, compliance with effluent limitations for categories and classes of point sources, other than publicly owned treatment works, which in the case of pollutants identified pursuant to section 1314(a)(4) of this title shall require application of the best conventional pollutant control technology as determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Administrator pursuant to section 1314(b)(4) of this title; and
(F) for all pollutants (other than those subject to subparagraphs (C), (D), or (E) of this paragraph) compliance with effluent limitations in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph as expeditiously as practicable but in no case later than 3 years after the date such limitations are established, and in no case later than March 31, 1989.
(3)
(A) for effluent limitations under paragraph (1)(A)(i) of this subsection promulgated after January 1, 1982, and requiring a level of control substantially greater or based on fundamentally different control technology than under permits for an industrial category issued before such date, compliance as expeditiously as practicable but in no case later than three years after the date such limitations are promulgated under section 1314(b) of this title, and in no case later than March 31, 1989; and
(B) for any effluent limitation in accordance with paragraph (1)(A)(i), (2)(A)(i), or (2)(E) of this subsection established only on the basis of section 1342(a)(1) of this title in a permit issued after February 4, 1987, compliance as expeditiously as practicable but in no case later than three years after the date such limitations are established, and in no case later than March 31, 1989.
(c) Modification of timetable
(d) Review and revision of effluent limitations
(e) All point discharge source application of effluent limitations
(f) Illegality of discharge of radiological, chemical, or biological warfare agents, high-level radioactive waste, or medical waste
(g) Modifications for certain nonconventional pollutants
(1) General authority
(2) Requirements for granting modificationsA modification under this subsection shall be granted only upon a showing by the owner or operator of a point source satisfactory to the Administrator that—
(A) such modified requirements will result at a minimum in compliance with the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(A) or (C) of this section, whichever is applicable;
(B) such modified requirements will not result in any additional requirements on any other point or nonpoint source; and
(C) such modification will not interfere with the attainment or maintenance of that water quality which shall assure protection of public water supplies, and the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and allow recreational activities, in and on the water and such modification will not result in the discharge of pollutants in quantities which may reasonably be anticipated to pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment because of bioaccumulation, persistency in the environment, acute toxicity, chronic toxicity (including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or teratogenicity), or synergistic propensities.
(3) Limitation on authority to apply for subsection (c) modification
(4) Procedures for listing additional pollutants
(A) General authority
(B) Requirements for listing
(i) Sufficient information
(ii) Toxic criteria determination
(iii) Listing as toxic pollutant
(iv) Nonconventional criteria determination
(C) Requirements for filing of petitionsA petition for listing of a pollutant under this paragraph—
(i) must be filed not later than 270 days after the date of promulgation of an applicable effluent guideline under section 1314 of this title;
(ii) may be filed before promulgation of such guideline; and
(iii) may be filed with an application for a modification under paragraph (1) with respect to the discharge of such pollutant.
(D) Deadline for approval of petition
(E) Burden of proof
(5) Removal of pollutants
(h) Modification of secondary treatment requirementsThe Administrator, with the concurrence of the State, may issue a permit under section 1342 of this title which modifies the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section with respect to the discharge of any pollutant from a publicly owned treatment works into marine waters, if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that—
(1) there is an applicable water quality standard specific to the pollutant for which the modification is requested, which has been identified under section 1314(a)(6) of this title;
(2) the discharge of pollutants in accordance with such modified requirements will not interfere, alone or in combination with pollutants from other sources, with the attainment or maintenance of that water quality which assures protection of public water supplies and the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and allows recreational activities, in and on the water;
(3) the applicant has established a system for monitoring the impact of such discharge on a representative sample of aquatic biota, to the extent practicable, and the scope of such monitoring is limited to include only those scientific investigations which are necessary to study the effects of the proposed discharge;
(4) such modified requirements will not result in any additional requirements on any other point or nonpoint source;
(5) all applicable pretreatment requirements for sources introducing waste into such treatment works will be enforced;
(6) in the case of any treatment works serving a population of 50,000 or more, with respect to any toxic pollutant introduced into such works by an industrial discharger for which pollutant there is no applicable pretreatment requirement in effect, sources introducing waste into such works are in compliance with all applicable pretreatment requirements, the applicant will enforce such requirements, and the applicant has in effect a pretreatment program which, in combination with the treatment of discharges from such works, removes the same amount of such pollutant as would be removed if such works were to apply secondary treatment to discharges and if such works had no pretreatment program with respect to such pollutant;
(7) to the extent practicable, the applicant has established a schedule of activities designed to eliminate the entrance of toxic pollutants from nonindustrial sources into such treatment works;
(8) there will be no new or substantially increased discharges from the point source of the pollutant to which the modification applies above that volume of discharge specified in the permit;
(9) the applicant at the time such modification becomes effective will be discharging effluent which has received at least primary or equivalent treatment and which meets the criteria established under section 1314(a)(1) of this title after initial mixing in the waters surrounding or adjacent to the point at which such effluent is discharged.
For the purposes of this subsection the phrase “the discharge of any pollutant into marine waters” refers to a discharge into deep waters of the territorial sea or the waters of the contiguous zone, or into saline estuarine waters where there is strong tidal movement and other hydrological and geological characteristics which the Administrator determines necessary to allow compliance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, and section 1251(a)(2) of this title. For the purposes of paragraph (9), “primary or equivalent treatment” means treatment by screening, sedimentation, and skimming adequate to remove at least 30 percent of the biological oxygen demanding material and of the suspended solids in the treatment works influent, and disinfection, where appropriate. A municipality which applies secondary treatment shall be eligible to receive a permit pursuant to this subsection which modifies the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section with respect to the discharge of any pollutant from any treatment works owned by such municipality into marine waters. No permit issued under this subsection shall authorize the discharge of sewage sludge into marine waters. In order for a permit to be issued under this subsection for the discharge of a pollutant into marine waters, such marine waters must exhibit characteristics assuring that water providing dilution does not contain significant amounts of previously discharged effluent from such treatment work
(i) Municipal time extensions
(1) Where construction is required in order for a planned or existing publicly owned treatment works to achieve limitations under subsection (b)(1)(B) or (b)(1)(C) of this section, but (A) construction cannot be completed within the time required in such subsection, or (B) the United States has failed to make financial assistance under this chapter available in time to achieve such limitations by the time specified in such subsection, the owner or operator of such treatment works may request the Administrator (or if appropriate the State) to issue a permit pursuant to section 1342 of this title or to modify a permit issued pursuant to that section to extend such time for compliance. Any such request shall be filed with the Administrator (or if appropriate the State) within 180 days after February 4, 1987. The Administrator (or if appropriate the State) may grant such request and issue or modify such a permit, which shall contain a schedule of compliance for the publicly owned treatment works based on the earliest date by which such financial assistance will be available from the United States and construction can be completed, but in no event later than July 1, 1988, and shall contain such other terms and conditions, including those necessary to carry out subsections (b) through (g) of section 1281 of this title, section 1317 of this title, and such interim effluent limitations applicable to that treatment works as the Administrator determines are necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(2)
(A) Where a point source (other than a publicly owned treatment works) will not achieve the requirements of subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(C) of this section and—
(i) if a permit issued prior to July 1, 1977, to such point source is based upon a discharge into a publicly owned treatment works; or
(ii) if such point source (other than a publicly owned treatment works) had before July 1, 1977, a contract (enforceable against such point source) to discharge into a publicly owned treatment works; or
(iii) if either an application made before July 1, 1977, for a construction grant under this chapter for a publicly owned treatment works, or engineering or architectural plans or working drawings made before July 1, 1977, for a publicly owned treatment works, show that such point source was to discharge into such publicly owned treatment works,
and such publicly owned treatment works is presently unable to accept such discharge without construction, and in the case of a discharge to an existing publicly owned treatment works, such treatment works has an extension pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the owner or operator of such point source may request the Administrator (or if appropriate the State) to issue or modify such a permit pursuant to such section 1342 of this title to extend such time for compliance. Any such request shall be filed with the Administrator (or if appropriate the State) within 180 days after December 27, 1977, or the filing of a request by the appropriate publicly owned treatment works under paragraph (1) of this subsection, whichever is later. If the Administrator (or if appropriate the State) finds that the owner or operator of such point source has acted in good faith, he may grant such request and issue or modify such a permit, which shall contain a schedule of compliance for the point source to achieve the requirements of subsections (b)(1)(A) and (C) of this section and shall contain such other terms and conditions, including pretreatment and interim effluent limitations and water conservation requirements applicable to that point source, as the Administrator determines are necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(B) No time modification granted by the Administrator (or if appropriate the State) pursuant to paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection shall extend beyond the earliest date practicable for compliance or beyond the date of any extension granted to the appropriate publicly owned treatment works pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, but in no event shall it extend beyond July 1, 1988; and no such time modification shall be granted unless (i) the publicly owned treatment works will be in operation and available to the point source before July 1, 1988, and will meet the requirements of subsections (b)(1)(B) and (C) of this section after receiving the discharge from that point source; and (ii) the point source and the publicly owned treatment works have entered into an enforceable contract requiring the point source to discharge into the publicly owned treatment works, the owner or operator of such point source to pay the costs required under section 1284 of this title, and the publicly owned treatment works to accept the discharge from the point source; and (iii) the permit for such point source requires that point source to meet all requirements under section 1317(a) and (b) of this title during the period of such time modification.
(j) Modification procedures
(1) Any application filed under this section for a modification of the provisions of—
(A) subsection (b)(1)(B) under subsection (h) of this section shall be filed not later that 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “than”.
the 365th day which begins after December 29, 1981, except that a publicly owned treatment works which prior to December 31, 1982, had a contractual arrangement to use a portion of the capacity of an ocean outfall operated by another publicly owned treatment works which has applied for or received modification under subsection (h), may apply for a modification of subsection (h) in its own right not later than 30 days after February 4, 1987, and except as provided in paragraph (5);
(B) subsection (b)(2)(A) as it applies to pollutants identified in subsection (b)(2)(F) shall be filed not later than 270 days after the date of promulgation of an applicable effluent guideline under section 1314 of this title or not later than 270 days after December 27, 1977, whichever is later.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this section, any application for a modification filed under subsection (g) of this section shall not operate to stay any requirement under this chapter, unless in the judgment of the Administrator such a stay or the modification sought will not result in the discharge of pollutants in quantities which may reasonably be anticipated to pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment because of bioaccumulation, persistency in the environment, acute toxicity, chronic toxicity (including carcinogenic­ity, mutagenicity, or teratogenicity), or synergistic propensities, and that there is a substantial likelihood that the applicant will succeed on the merits of such application. In the case of an application filed under subsection (g) of this section, the Administrator may condition any stay granted under this paragraph on requiring the filing of a bond or other appropriate security to assure timely compliance with the requirements from which a modification is sought.
(3)Compliance requirements under subsection (g).—
(A)Effect of filing.—An application for a modification under subsection (g) and a petition for listing of a pollutant as a pollutant for which modifications are authorized under such subsection shall not stay the requirement that the person seeking such modification or listing comply with effluent limitations under this chapter for all pollutants not the subject of such application or petition.
(B)Effect of disapproval.—Disapproval of an application for a modification under subsection (g) shall not stay the requirement that the person seeking such modification comply with all applicable effluent limitations under this chapter.
(4)Deadline for subsection (g) decision.—An application for a modification with respect to a pollutant filed under subsection (g) must be approved or disapproved not later than 365 days after the date of such filing; except that in any case in which a petition for listing such pollutant as a pollutant for which modifications are authorized under such subsection is approved, such application must be approved or disapproved not later than 365 days after the date of approval of such petition.
(5)Extension of application deadline.—
(A)In general.—In the 180-day period beginning on October 31, 1994, the city of San Diego, California, may apply for a modification pursuant to subsection (h) of the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(B) with respect to biological oxygen demand and total suspended solids in the effluent discharged into marine waters.
(B)Application.—An application under this paragraph shall include a commitment by the applicant to implement a waste water reclamation program that, at a minimum, will—
(i) achieve a system capacity of 45,000,000 gallons of reclaimed waste water per day by January 1, 2010; and
(ii) result in a reduction in the quantity of suspended solids discharged by the applicant into the marine environment during the period of the modification.
(C)Additional conditions.—The Administrator may not grant a modification pursuant to an application submitted under this paragraph unless the Administrator determines that such modification will result in removal of not less than 58 percent of the biological oxygen demand (on an annual average) and not less than 80 percent of total suspended solids (on a monthly average) in the discharge to which the application applies.
(D)Preliminary decision deadline.—The Administrator shall announce a preliminary decision on an application submitted under this paragraph not later than 1 year after the date the application is submitted.
(k) Innovative technology
(l) Toxic pollutants
(m) Modification of effluent limitation requirements for point sources
(1) The Administrator, with the concurrence of the State, may issue a permit under section 1342 of this title which modifies the requirements of subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(2)(E) of this section, and of section 1343 of this title, with respect to effluent limitations to the extent such limitations relate to biochemical oxygen demand and pH from discharges by an industrial discharger in such State into deep waters of the territorial seas, if the applicant demonstrates and the Administrator finds that—
(A) the facility for which modification is sought is covered at the time of the enactment of this subsection by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit number CA0005894 or CA0005282;
(B) the energy and environmental costs of meeting such requirements of subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(2)(E) and section 1343 of this title exceed by an unreasonable amount the benefits to be obtained, including the objectives of this chapter;
(C) the applicant has established a system for monitoring the impact of such discharges on a representative sample of aquatic biota;
(D) such modified requirements will not result in any additional requirements on any other point or nonpoint source;
(E) there will be no new or substantially increased discharges from the point source of the pollutant to which the modification applies above that volume of discharge specified in the permit;
(F) the discharge is into waters where there is strong tidal movement and other hydrological and geological characteristics which are necessary to allow compliance with this subsection and section 1251(a)(2) of this title;
(G) the applicant accepts as a condition to the permit a contractural 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “contractual”.
obligation to use funds in the amount required (but not less than $250,000 per year for ten years) for research and development of water pollution control technology, including but not limited to closed cycle technology;
(H) the facts and circumstances present a unique situation which, if relief is granted, will not establish a precedent or the relaxation of the requirements of this chapter applicable to similarly situated discharges; and
(I) no owner or operator of a facility comparable to that of the applicant situated in the United States has demonstrated that it would be put at a competitive disadvantage to the applicant (or the parent company or any subsidiary thereof) as a result of the issuance of a permit under this subsection.
(2) The effluent limitations established under a permit issued under paragraph (1) shall be sufficient to implement the applicable State water quality standards, to assure the protection of public water supplies and protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, fauna, wildlife, and other aquatic organisms, and to allow recreational activities in and on the water. In setting such limitations, the Administrator shall take into account any seasonal variations and the need for an adequate margin of safety, considering the lack of essential knowledge concerning the relationship between effluent limitations and water quality and the lack of essential knowledge of the effects of discharges on beneficial uses of the receiving waters.
(3) A permit under this subsection may be issued for a period not to exceed five years, and such a permit may be renewed for one additional period not to exceed five years upon a demonstration by the applicant and a finding by the Administrator at the time of application for any such renewal that the provisions of this subsection are met.
(4) The Administrator may terminate a permit issued under this subsection if the Administrator determines that there has been a decline in ambient water quality of the receiving waters during the period of the permit even if a direct cause and effect relationship cannot be shown: Provided, That if the effluent from a source with a permit issued under this subsection is contributing to a decline in ambient water quality of the receiving waters, the Administrator shall terminate such permit.
(n) Fundamentally different factors
(1) General ruleThe Administrator, with the concurrence of the State, may establish an alternative requirement under subsection (b)(2) or section 1317(b) of this title for a facility that modifies the requirements of national effluent limitation guidelines or categorical pretreatment standards that would otherwise be applicable to such facility, if the owner or operator of such facility demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that—
(A) the facility is fundamentally different with respect to the factors (other than cost) specified in section 1314(b) or 1314(g) of this title and considered by the Administrator in establishing such national effluent limitation guidelines or categorical pretreatment standards;
(B) the application—
(i) is based solely on information and supporting data submitted to the Administrator during the rulemaking for establishment of the applicable national effluent limitation guidelines or categorical pretreatment standard specifically raising the factors that are fundamentally different for such facility; or
(ii) is based on information and supporting data referred to in clause (i) and information and supporting data the applicant did not have a reasonable opportunity to submit during such rulemaking;
(C) the alternative requirement is no less stringent than justified by the fundamental difference; and
(D) the alternative requirement will not result in a non-water quality environmental impact which is markedly more adverse than the impact considered by the Administrator in establishing such national effluent limitation guideline or categorical pretreatment standard.
(2) Time limit for applications
(3) Time limit for decision
(4) Submission of information
(5) Treatment of pending applications
(6) Effect of submission of application
(7) Effect of denial
(8) Reports
(o) Application fees
(p) Modified permit for coal remining operations
(1) In general
(2) Limitations
(3) DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection—
(A) Coal remining operation
(B) Remined area
(C) Pre-existing discharge
(4) Applicability of strip mining laws
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 301, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 844; amended Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 42–47, 53(c), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1582–1586, 1590; Pub. L. 97–117, §§ 21, 22(a)–(d), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1631, 1632; Pub. L. 97–440, Jan. 8, 1983, 96 Stat. 2289; Pub. L. 100–4, title III, §§ 301(a)–(e), 302(a)–(d), 303(a), (b)(1), (c)–(f), 304(a), 305, 306(a), (b), 307, Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 29–37; Pub. L. 100–688, title III, § 3202(b), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4154; Pub. L. 103–431, § 2, Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4396; Pub. L. 104–66, title II, § 2021(b), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 727.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1311

§ 1312. Water quality related effluent limitations
(a) Establishment
(b) Modifications of effluent limitations
(1) Notice and hearing
(2) Permits
(A) No reasonable relationship
(B) Reasonable progress
(c) Delay in application of other limitations
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 302, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 846; amended Pub. L. 100–4, title III, § 308(e), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 39.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1312

§ 1313. Water quality standards and implementation plans
(a) Existing water quality standards
(1) In order to carry out the purpose of this chapter, any water quality standard applicable to interstate waters which was adopted by any State and submitted to, and approved by, or is awaiting approval by, the Administrator pursuant to this Act as in effect immediately prior to October 18, 1972, shall remain in effect unless the Administrator determined that such standard is not consistent with the applicable requirements of this Act as in effect immediately prior to October 18, 1972. If the Administrator makes such a determination he shall, within three months after October 18, 1972, notify the State and specify the changes needed to meet such requirements. If such changes are not adopted by the State within ninety days after the date of such notification, the Administrator shall promulgate such changes in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Any State which, before October 18, 1972, has adopted, pursuant to its own law, water quality standards applicable to intrastate waters shall submit such standards to the Administrator within thirty days after October 18, 1972. Each such standard shall remain in effect, in the same manner and to the same extent as any other water quality standard established under this chapter unless the Administrator determines that such standard is inconsistent with the applicable requirements of this Act as in effect immediately prior to October 18, 1972. If the Administrator makes such a determination he shall not later than the one hundred and twentieth day after the date of submission of such standards, notify the State and specify the changes needed to meet such requirements. If such changes are not adopted by the State within ninety days after such notification, the Administrator shall promulgate such changes in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(3)
(A) Any State which prior to October 18, 1972, has not adopted pursuant to its own laws water quality standards applicable to intrastate waters shall, not later than one hundred and eighty days after October 18, 1972, adopt and submit such standards to the Administrator.
(B) If the Administrator determines that any such standards are consistent with the applicable requirements of this Act as in effect immediately prior to October 18, 1972, he shall approve such standards.
(C) If the Administrator determines that any such standards are not consistent with the applicable requirements of this Act as in effect immediately prior to October 18, 1972, he shall, not later than the ninetieth day after the date of submission of such standards, notify the State and specify the changes to meet such requirements. If such changes are not adopted by the State within ninety days after the date of notification, the Administrator shall promulgate such standards pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Proposed regulations
(1) The Administrator shall promptly prepare and publish proposed regulations setting forth water quality standards for a State in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Act as in effect immediately prior to October 18, 1972, if—
(A) the State fails to submit water quality standards within the times prescribed in subsection (a) of this section.
(B) a water quality standard submitted by such State under subsection (a) of this section is determined by the Administrator not to be consistent with the applicable requirements of subsection (a) of this section.
(2) The Administrator shall promulgate any water quality standard published in a proposed regulation not later than one hundred and ninety days after the date he publishes any such proposed standard, unless prior to such promulgation, such State has adopted a water quality standard which the Administrator determines to be in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Review; revised standards; publication
(1) The Governor of a State or the State water pollution control agency of such State shall from time to time (but at least once each three year period beginning with October 18, 1972) hold public hearings for the purpose of reviewing applicable water quality standards and, as appropriate, modifying and adopting standards. Results of such review shall be made available to the Administrator.
(2)
(A) Whenever the State revises or adopts a new standard, such revised or new standard shall be submitted to the Administrator. Such revised or new water quality standard shall consist of the designated uses of the navigable waters involved and the water quality criteria for such waters based upon such uses. Such standards shall be such as to protect the public health or welfare, enhance the quality of water and serve the purposes of this chapter. Such standards shall be established taking into consideration their use and value for public water supplies, propagation of fish and wildlife, recreational purposes, and agricultural, industrial, and other purposes, and also taking into consideration their use and value for navigation.
(B) Whenever a State reviews water quality standards pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, or revises or adopts new standards pursuant to this paragraph, such State shall adopt criteria for all toxic pollutants listed pursuant to section 1317(a)(1) of this title for which criteria have been published under section 1314(a) of this title, the discharge or presence of which in the affected waters could reasonably be expected to interfere with those designated uses adopted by the State, as necessary to support such designated uses. Such criteria shall be specific numerical criteria for such toxic pollutants. Where such numerical criteria are not available, whenever a State reviews water quality standards pursuant to paragraph (1), or revises or adopts new standards pursuant to this paragraph, such State shall adopt criteria based on biological monitoring or assessment methods consistent with information published pursuant to section 1314(a)(8) of this title. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or delay the use of effluent limitations or other permit conditions based on or involving biological monitoring or assessment methods or previously adopted numerical criteria.
(3) If the Administrator, within sixty days after the date of submission of the revised or new standard, determines that such standard meets the requirements of this chapter, such standard shall thereafter be the water quality standard for the applicable waters of that State. If the Administrator determines that any such revised or new standard is not consistent with the applicable requirements of this chapter, he shall not later than the ninetieth day after the date of submission of such standard notify the State and specify the changes to meet such requirements. If such changes are not adopted by the State within ninety days after the date of notification, the Administrator shall promulgate such standard pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection.
(4) The Administrator shall promptly prepare and publish proposed regulations setting forth a revised or new water quality standard for the navigable waters involved—
(A) if a revised or new water quality standard submitted by such State under paragraph (3) of this subsection for such waters is determined by the Administrator not to be consistent with the applicable requirements of this chapter, or
(B) in any case where the Administrator determines that a revised or new standard is necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter.
The Administrator shall promulgate any revised or new standard under this paragraph not later than ninety days after he publishes such proposed standards, unless prior to such promulgation, such State has adopted a revised or new water quality standard which the Administrator determines to be in accordance with this chapter.
(d) Identification of areas with insufficient controls; maximum daily load; certain effluent limitations revision
(1)
(A) Each State shall identify those waters within its boundaries for which the effluent limitations required by section 1311(b)(1)(A) and section 1311(b)(1)(B) of this title are not stringent enough to implement any water quality standard applicable to such waters. The State shall establish a priority ranking for such waters, taking into account the severity of the pollution and the uses to be made of such waters.
(B) Each State shall identify those waters or parts thereof within its boundaries for which controls on thermal discharges under section 1311 of this title are not stringent enough to assure protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife.
(C) Each State shall establish for the waters identified in paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, and in accordance with the priority ranking, the total maximum daily load, for those pollutants which the Administrator identifies under section 1314(a)(2) of this title as suitable for such calculation. Such load shall be established at a level necessary to implement the applicable water quality standards with seasonal variations and a margin of safety which takes into account any lack of knowledge concerning the relationship between effluent limitations and water quality.
(D) Each State shall estimate for the waters identified in paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection the total maximum daily thermal load required to assure protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife. Such estimates shall take into account the normal water temperatures, flow rates, seasonal variations, existing sources of heat input, and the dissipative capacity of the identified waters or parts thereof. Such estimates shall include a calculation of the maximum heat input that can be made into each such part and shall include a margin of safety which takes into account any lack of knowledge concerning the development of thermal water quality criteria for such protection and propagation in the identified waters or parts thereof.
(2) Each State shall submit to the Administrator from time to time, with the first such submission not later than one hundred and eighty days after the date of publication of the first identification of pollutants under section 1314(a)(2)(D) of this title, for his approval the waters identified and the loads established under paragraphs (1)(A), (1)(B), (1)(C), and (1)(D) of this subsection. The Administrator shall either approve or disapprove such identification and load not later than thirty days after the date of submission. If the Administrator approves such identification and load, such State shall incorporate them into its current plan under subsection (e) of this section. If the Administrator disapproves such identification and load, he shall not later than thirty days after the date of such disapproval identify such waters in such State and establish such loads for such waters as he determines necessary to implement the water quality standards applicable to such waters and upon such identification and establishment the State shall incorporate them into its current plan under subsection (e) of this section.
(3) For the specific purpose of developing information, each State shall identify all waters within its boundaries which it has not identified under paragraph (1)(A) and (1)(B) of this subsection and estimate for such waters the total maximum daily load with seasonal variations and margins of safety, for those pollutants which the Administrator identifies under section 1314(a)(2) of this title as suitable for such calculation and for thermal discharges, at a level that would assure protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of fish, shellfish, and wildlife.
(4)Limitations on revision of certain effluent limitations.—
(A)Standard not attained.—For waters identified under paragraph (1)(A) where the applicable water quality standard has not yet been attained, any effluent limitation based on a total maximum daily load or other waste load allocation established under this section may be revised only if (i) the cumulative effect of all such revised effluent limitations based on such total maximum daily load or waste load allocation will assure the attainment of such water quality standard, or (ii) the designated use which is not being attained is removed in accordance with regulations established under this section.
(B)Standard attained.—For waters identified under paragraph (1)(A) where the quality of such waters equals or exceeds levels necessary to protect the designated use for such waters or otherwise required by applicable water quality standards, any effluent limitation based on a total maximum daily load or other waste load allocation established under this section, or any water quality standard established under this section, or any other permitting standard may be revised only if such revision is subject to and consistent with the antidegradation policy established under this section.
(e) Continuing planning process
(1) Each State shall have a continuing planning process approved under paragraph (2) of this subsection which is consistent with this chapter.
(2) Each State shall submit not later than 120 days after October 18, 1972, to the Administrator for his approval a proposed continuing planning process which is consistent with this chapter. Not later than thirty days after the date of submission of such a process the Administrator shall either approve or disapprove such process. The Administrator shall from time to time review each State’s approved planning process for the purpose of insuring that such planning process is at all times consistent with this chapter. The Administrator shall not approve any State permit program under subchapter IV of this chapter for any State which does not have an approved continuing planning process under this section.
(3) The Administrator shall approve any continuing planning process submitted to him under this section which will result in plans for all navigable waters within such State, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) effluent limitations and schedules of compliance at least as stringent as those required by section 1311(b)(1), section 1311(b)(2), section 1316, and section 1317 of this title, and at least as stringent as any requirements contained in any applicable water quality standard in effect under authority of this section;
(B) the incorporation of all elements of any applicable area-wide waste management plans under section 1288 of this title, and applicable basin plans under section 1289 of this title;
(C) total maximum daily load for pollutants in accordance with subsection (d) of this section;
(D) procedures for revision;
(E) adequate authority for intergovernmental cooperation;
(F) adequate implementation, including schedules of compliance, for revised or new water quality standards, under subsection (c) of this section;
(G) controls over the disposition of all residual waste from any water treatment processing;
(H) an inventory and ranking, in order of priority, of needs for construction of waste treatment works required to meet the applicable requirements of sections 1311 and 1312 of this title.
(f) Earlier compliance
(g) Heat standards
(h) Thermal water quality standards
(i) Coastal recreation water quality criteria
(1) Adoption by States
(A) Initial criteria and standards
(B) New or revised criteria and standards
(2) Failure of States to adopt
(A) In general
(B) Exception
(3) Applicability
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 303, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 846; amended Pub. L. 100–4, title III, § 308(d), title IV, § 404(b), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 39, 68; Pub. L. 106–284, § 2, Oct. 10, 2000, 114 Stat. 870.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1313

§ 1313a. Revised water quality standards

The review, revision, and adoption or promulgation of revised or new water quality standards pursuant to section 303(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1313(c)] shall be completed by the date three years after December 29, 1981. No grant shall be made under title II of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1281 et seq.] after such date until water quality standards are reviewed and revised pursuant to section 303(c), except where the State has in good faith submitted such revised water quality standards and the Administrator has not acted to approve or disapprove such submission within one hundred and twenty days of receipt.

(Pub. L. 97–117, § 24, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1632.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1313a

§ 1314. Information and guidelines
(a) Criteria development and publication
(1) The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, shall develop and publish, within one year after October 18, 1972 (and from time to time thereafter revise) criteria for water quality accurately reflecting the latest scientific knowledge (A) on the kind and extent of all identifiable effects on health and welfare including, but not limited to, plankton, fish, shellfish, wildlife, plant life, shorelines, beaches, esthetics, and recreation which may be expected from the presence of pollutants in any body of water, including ground water; (B) on the concentration and dispersal of pollutants, or their byproducts, through biological, physical, and chemical processes; and (C) on the effects of pollutants on biological community diversity, productivity, and stability, including information on the factors affecting rates of eutrophication and rates of organic and inorganic sedimentation for varying types of receiving waters.
(2) The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, shall develop and publish, within one year after October 18, 1972 (and from time to time thereafter revise) information (A) on the factors necessary to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of all navigable waters, ground waters, waters of the contiguous zone, and the oceans; (B) on the factors necessary for the protection and propagation of shellfish, fish, and wildlife for classes and categories of receiving waters and to allow recreational activities in and on the water; and (C) on the measurement and classification of water quality; and (D) for the purpose of section 1313 of this title, on and the identification of pollutants suitable for maximum daily load measurement correlated with the achievement of water quality objectives.
(3) Such criteria and information and revisions thereof shall be issued to the States and shall be published in the Federal Register and otherwise made available to the public.
(4) The Administrator shall, within 90 days after December 27, 1977, and from time to time thereafter, publish and revise as appropriate information identifying conventional pollutants, including but not limited to, pollutants classified as biological oxygen demanding, suspended solids, fecal coliform, and pH. The thermal component of any discharge shall not be identified as a conventional pollutant under this paragraph.
(5)
(A) The Administrator, to the extent practicable before consideration of any request under section 1311(g) of this title and within six months after December 27, 1977, shall develop and publish information on the factors necessary for the protection of public water supplies, and the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish and wildlife, and to allow recreational activities, in and on the water.
(B) The Administrator, to the extent practicable before consideration of any application under section 1311(h) of this title and within six months after December 27, 1977, shall develop and publish information on the factors necessary for the protection of public water supplies, and the protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife, and to allow recreational activities, in and on the water.
(6) The Administrator shall, within three months after December 27, 1977, and annually thereafter, for purposes of section 1311(h) of this title publish and revise as appropriate information identifying each water quality standard in effect under this chapter or State law, the specific pollutants associated with such water quality standard, and the particular waters to which such water quality standard applies.
(7)Guidance to states.—The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate State agencies and on the basis of criteria and information published under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, shall develop and publish, within 9 months after February 4, 1987, guidance to the States on performing the identification required by subsection (l)(1) of this section.
(8)Information on water quality criteria.—The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate State agencies and within 2 years after February 4, 1987, shall develop and publish information on methods for establishing and measuring water quality criteria for toxic pollutants on other bases than pollutant-by-pollutant criteria, including biological monitoring and assessment methods.
(9)Revised criteria for coastal recreation waters.—
(A)In general.—Not later than 5 years after October 10, 2000, after consultation and in cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, tribal, and local officials (including local health officials), the Administrator shall publish new or revised water quality criteria for pathogens and pathogen indicators (including a revised list of testing methods, as appropriate), based on the results of the studies conducted under section 1254(v) of this title, for the purpose of protecting human health in coastal recreation waters.
(B)Reviews.—Not later than the date that is 5 years after the date of publication of water quality criteria under this paragraph, and at least once every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall review and, as necessary, revise the water quality criteria.
(b) Effluent limitation guidelines
For the purpose of adopting or revising effluent limitations under this chapter the Administrator shall, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, publish within one year of October 18, 1972, regulations, providing guidelines for effluent limitations, and, at least annually thereafter, revise, if appropriate, such regulations. Such regulations shall—
(1)
(A) identify, in terms of amounts of constituents and chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of pollutants, the degree of effluent reduction attainable through the application of the best practicable control technology currently available for classes and categories of point sources (other than publicly owned treatment works); and
(B) specify factors to be taken into account in determining the control measures and practices to be applicable to point sources (other than publicly owned treatment works) within such categories or classes. Factors relating to the assessment of best practicable control technology currently available to comply with subsection (b)(1) of section 1311 of this title shall include consideration of the total cost of application of technology in relation to the effluent reduction benefits to be achieved from such application, and shall also take into account the age of equipment and facilities involved, the process employed, the engineering aspects of the application of various types of control techniques, process changes, non-water quality environmental impact (including energy requirements), and such other factors as the Administrator deems appropriate;
(2)
(A) identify, in terms of amounts of constituents and chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of pollutants, the degree of effluent reduction attainable through the application of the best control measures and practices achievable including treatment techniques, process and procedure innovations, operating methods, and other alternatives for classes and categories of point sources (other than publicly owned treatment works); and
(B) specify factors to be taken into account in determining the best measures and practices available to comply with subsection (b)(2) of section 1311 of this title to be applicable to any point source (other than publicly owned treatment works) within such categories or classes. Factors relating to the assessment of best available technology shall take into account the age of equipment and facilities involved, the process employed, the engineering aspects of the application of various types of control techniques, process changes, the cost of achieving such effluent reduction, non-water quality environmental impact (including energy requirements), and such other factors as the Administrator deems appropriate;
(3) identify control measures and practices available to eliminate the discharge of pollutants from categories and classes of point sources, taking into account the cost of achieving such elimination of the discharge of pollutants; and
(4)
(A) identify, in terms of amounts of constituents and chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of pollutants, the degree of effluent reduction attainable through the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (including measures and practices) for classes and categories of point sources (other than publicly owned treatment works); and
(B) specify factors to be taken into account in determining the best conventional pollutant control technology measures and practices to comply with section 1311(b)(2)(E) of this title to be applicable to any point source (other than publicly owned treatment works) within such categories or classes. Factors relating to the assessment of best conventional pollutant control technology (including measures and practices) shall include consideration of the reasonableness of the relationship between the costs of attaining a reduction in effluents and the effluent reduction benefits derived, and the comparison of the cost and level of reduction of such pollutants from the discharge from publicly owned treatment works to the cost and level of reduction of such pollutants from a class or category of industrial sources, and shall take into account the age of equipment and facilities involved, the process employed, the engineering aspects of the application of various types of control techniques, process changes, non-water quality environmental impact (including energy requirements), and such other factors as the Administrator deems appropriate.
(c) Pollution discharge elimination procedures
(d) Secondary treatment information; alternative waste treatment management techniques; innovative and alternative wastewater treatment processes; facilities deemed equivalent of secondary treatment
(1) The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, shall publish within sixty days after October 18, 1972 (and from time to time thereafter) information, in terms of amounts of constituents and chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of pollutants, on the degree of effluent reduction attainable through the application of secondary treatment.
(2) The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, shall publish within nine months after October 18, 1972 (and from time to time thereafter) information on alternative waste treatment management techniques and systems available to implement section 1281 of this title.
(3) The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, shall promulgate within one hundred and eighty days after December 27, 1977, guidelines for identifying and evaluating innovative and alternative wastewater treatment processes and techniques referred to in section 1281(g)(5) of this title.
(4) For the purposes of this subsection, such biological treatment facilities as oxidation ponds, lagoons, and ditches and trickling filters shall be deemed the equivalent of secondary treatment. The Administrator shall provide guidance under paragraph (1) of this subsection on design criteria for such facilities, taking into account pollutant removal efficiencies and, consistent with the objectives of this chapter, assuring that water quality will not be adversely affected by deeming such facilities as the equivalent of secondary treatment.
(e) Best management practices for industry
(f) Identification and evaluation of nonpoint sources of pollution; processes, procedures, and methods to control pollution
The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, shall issue to appropriate Federal agencies, the States, water pollution control agencies, and agencies designated under section 1288 of this title, within one year after October 18, 1972 (and from time to time thereafter) information including (1) guidelines for identifying and evaluating the nature and extent of nonpoint sources of pollutants, and (2) processes, procedures, and methods to control pollution resulting from—
(A) agricultural and silvicultural activities, including runoff from fields and crop and forest lands;
(B) mining activities, including runoff and siltation from new, currently operating, and abandoned surface and underground mines;
(C) all construction activity, including runoff from the facilities resulting from such construction;
(D) the disposal of pollutants in wells or in subsurface excavations;
(E) salt water intrusion resulting from reductions of fresh water flow from any cause, including extraction of ground water, irrigation, obstruction, and diversion; and
(F) changes in the movement, flow, or circulation of any navigable waters or ground waters, including changes caused by the construction of dams, levees, channels, causeways, or flow diversion facilities.
Such information and revisions thereof shall be published in the Federal Register and otherwise made available to the public.
(g) Guidelines for pretreatment of pollutants
(1) For the purpose of assisting States in carrying out programs under section 1342 of this title, the Administrator shall publish, within one hundred and twenty days after October 18, 1972, and review at least annually thereafter and, if appropriate, revise guidelines for pretreatment of pollutants which he determines are not susceptible to treatment by publicly owned treatment works. Guidelines under this subsection shall be established to control and prevent the discharge into the navigable waters, the contiguous zone, or the ocean (either directly or through publicly owned treatment works) of any pollutant which interferes with, passes through, or otherwise is incompatible with such works.
(2) When publishing guidelines under this subsection, the Administrator shall designate the category or categories of treatment works to which the guidelines shall apply.
(h) Test procedures guidelines
(i) Guidelines for monitoring, reporting, enforcement, funding, personnel, and manpower
The Administrator shall (1) within sixty days after October 18, 1972, promulgate guidelines for the purpose of establishing uniform application forms and other minimum requirements for the acquisition of information from owners and operators of point-sources of discharge subject to any State program under section 1342 of this title, and (2) within sixty days from October 18, 1972, promulgate guidelines establishing the minimum procedural and other elements of any State program under section 1342 of this title, which shall include:
(A) monitoring requirements;
(B) reporting requirements (including procedures to make information available to the public);
(C) enforcement provisions; and
(D) funding, personnel qualifications, and manpower requirements (including a requirement that no board or body which approves permit applications or portions thereof shall include, as a member, any person who receives, or has during the previous two years received, a significant portion of his income directly or indirectly from permit holders or applicants for a permit).
(j) Lake restoration guidance manual
(k) Agreements with Secretaries of Agriculture, Army, and the Interior to provide maximum utilization of programs to achieve and maintain water quality; transfer of funds; authorization of appropriations
(1) The Administrator shall enter into agreements with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Army, and the Secretary of the Interior, and the heads of such other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States as the Administrator determines, to provide for the maximum utilization of other Federal laws and programs for the purpose of achieving and maintaining water quality through appropriate implementation of plans approved under section 1288 of this title and nonpoint source pollution management programs approved under section 1329 of this title.
(2) The Administrator is authorized to transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Army, and the Secretary of the Interior and the heads of such other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States as the Administrator determines, any funds appropriated under paragraph (3) of this subsection to supplement funds otherwise appropriated to programs authorized pursuant to any agreement under paragraph (1).
(3) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this subsection, $100,000,000 per fiscal year for the fiscal years 1979 through 1983 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1984 through 1990.
(l) Individual control strategies for toxic pollutants
(1) State list of navigable waters and development of strategies
Not later than 2 years after February 4, 1987, each State shall submit to the Administrator for review, approval, and implementation under this subsection—
(A) a list of those waters within the State which after the application of effluent limitations required under section 1311(b)(2) of this title cannot reasonably be anticipated to attain or maintain (i) water quality standards for such waters reviewed, revised, or adopted in accordance with section 1313(c)(2)(B) of this title, due to toxic pollutants, or (ii) that water quality which shall assure protection of public health, public water supplies, agricultural and industrial uses, and the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish and wildlife, and allow recreational activities in and on the water;
(B) a list of all navigable waters in such State for which the State does not expect the applicable standard under section 1313 of this title will be achieved after the requirements of sections 1311(b), 1316, and 1317(b) of this title are met, due entirely or substantially to discharges from point sources of any toxic pollutants listed pursuant to section 1317(a) of this title;
(C) for each segment of the navigable waters included on such lists, a determination of the specific point sources discharging any such toxic pollutant which is believed to be preventing or impairing such water quality and the amount of each such toxic pollutant discharged by each such source; and
(D) for each such segment, an individual control strategy which the State determines will produce a reduction in the discharge of toxic pollutants from point sources identified by the State under this paragraph through the establishment of effluent limitations under section 1342 of this title and water quality standards under section 1313(c)(2)(B) of this title, which reduction is sufficient, in combination with existing controls on point and nonpoint sources of pollution, to achieve the applicable water quality standard as soon as possible, but not later than 3 years after the date of the establishment of such strategy.
(2) Approval or disapproval
(3) Administrator’s action
(m) Schedule for review of guidelines
(1) Publication
Within 12 months after February 4, 1987, and biennially thereafter, the Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register a plan which shall—
(A) establish a schedule for the annual review and revision of promulgated effluent guidelines, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section;
(B) identify categories of sources discharging toxic or nonconventional pollutants for which guidelines under subsection (b)(2) of this section and section 1316 of this title have not previously been published; and
(C) establish a schedule for promulgation of effluent guidelines for categories identified in subparagraph (B), under which promulgation of such guidelines shall be no later than 4 years after February 4, 1987, for categories identified in the first published plan or 3 years after the publication of the plan for categories identified in later published plans.
(2) Public review
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 304, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 850; amended Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 48–51, 62(b), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1587, 1588, 1598; Pub. L. 97–117, § 23, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1632; Pub. L. 100–4, title I, § 101(f), title III, §§ 308(a), (c), (f), 315(c), 316(e), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 9, 38–40, 52, 61; Pub. L. 106–284, § 3(b), Oct. 10, 2000, 114 Stat. 871.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1314

§ 1314a. Wastewater technology clearinghouse
(a) In general
(1) In general
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall—
(A) for each of the programs described in paragraph (2), update the information for those programs to include information on cost-effective and alternative wastewater recycling and treatment technologies, including onsite and decentralized systems; and
(B) disseminate to units of local government and nonprofit organizations seeking Federal funds for wastewater technology information on the cost effectiveness of alternative wastewater treatment and recycling technologies, including onsite and decentralized systems.
(2) Programs described
The programs referred to in paragraph (1)(A) are programs that provide technical assistance for wastewater management, including—
(A) programs for nonpoint source management under section 1329 of this title; and
(B) the permit program for the disposal of sewer sludge under section 1345 of this title.
(b) Report to Congress
Not later than 1 year after October 23, 2018, and not less frequently than every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall submit to Congress a report that describes—
(1) the type and amount of information provided under subsection (a) to units of local government and nonprofit organizations regarding alternative wastewater treatment and recycling technologies;
(2) the States and regions that have made greatest use of alternative wastewater treatment and recycling technologies; and
(3) the actions taken by the Administrator to assist States in the deployment of alternative wastewater treatment and recycling technologies, including onsite and decentralized systems.
(Pub. L. 115–270, title IV, § 4102, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3871.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1314a

§ 1315. State reports on water quality
(a) Omitted.
(b)
(1) Each State shall prepare and submit to the Administrator by April 1, 1975, and shall bring up to date by April 1, 1976, and biennially thereafter, a report which shall include—
(A) a description of the water quality of all navigable waters in such State during the preceding year, with appropriate supplemental descriptions as shall be required to take into account seasonal, tidal, and other variations, correlated with the quality of water required by the objective of this chapter (as identified by the Administrator pursuant to criteria published under section 1314(a) of this title) and the water quality described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph;
(B) an analysis of the extent to which all navigable waters of such State provide for the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and allow recreational activities in and on the water;
(C) an analysis of the extent to which the elimination of the discharge of pollutants and a level of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife and allows recreational activities in and on the water, have been or will be achieved by the requirements of this chapter, together with recommendations as to additional action necessary to achieve such objectives and for what waters such additional action is necessary;
(D) an estimate of (i) the environmental impact, (ii) the economic and social costs necessary to achieve the objective of this chapter in such State, (iii) the economic and social benefits of such achievement, and (iv) an estimate of the date of such achievement; and
(E) a description of the nature and extent of nonpoint sources of pollutants, and recommendations as to the programs which must be undertaken to control each category of such sources, including an estimate of the costs of implementing such programs.
(2) The Administrator shall transmit such State reports, together with an analysis thereof, to Congress on or before October 1, 1975, and October 1, 1976, and biennially thereafter.
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 305, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 853; amended Pub. L. 95–217, § 52, Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1589.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1315

§ 1316. National standards of performance
(a) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) The term “standard of performance” means a standard for the control of the discharge of pollutants which reflects the greatest degree of effluent reduction which the Administrator determines to be achievable through application of the best available demonstrated control technology, processes, operating methods, or other alternatives, including, where practicable, a standard permitting no discharge of pollutants.
(2) The term “new source” means any source, the construction of which is commenced after the publication of proposed regulations prescribing a standard of performance under this section which will be applicable to such source, if such standard is thereafter promulgated in accordance with this section.
(3) The term “source” means any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is or may be the discharge of pollutants.
(4) The term “owner or operator” means any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises a source.
(5) The term “construction” means any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or equipment (including contractual obligations to purchase such facilities or equipment) at the premises where such equipment will be used, including preparation work at such premises.
(b) Categories of sources; Federal standards of performance for new sources
(1)
(A) The Administrator shall, within ninety days after October 18, 1972, publish (and from time to time thereafter shall revise) a list of categories of sources, which shall, at the minimum, include:

pulp and paper mills;

paperboard, builders paper and board mills;

meat product and rendering processing;

dairy product processing;

grain mills;

canned and preserved fruits and vegetables processing;

canned and preserved seafood processing;

sugar processing;

textile mills;

cement manufacturing;

feedlots;

electroplating;

organic chemicals manufacturing;

inorganic chemicals manufacturing;

plastic and synthetic materials manufacturing;

soap and detergent manufacturing;

fertilizer manufacturing;

petroleum refining;

iron and steel manufacturing;

nonferrous metals manufacturing;

phosphate manufacturing;

steam electric powerplants;

ferroalloy manufacturing;

leather tanning and finishing;

glass and asbestos manufacturing;

rubber processing; and

timber products processing.

(B) As soon as practicable, but in no case more than one year, after a category of sources is included in a list under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Administrator shall propose and publish regulations establishing Federal standards of performance for new sources within such category. The Administrator shall afford interested persons an opportunity for written comment on such proposed regulations. After considering such comments, he shall promulgate, within one hundred and twenty days after publication of such proposed regulations, such standards with such adjustments as he deems appropriate. The Administrator shall, from time to time, as technology and alternatives change, revise such standards following the procedure required by this subsection for promulgation of such standards. Standards of performance, or revisions thereof, shall become effective upon promulgation. In establishing or revising Federal standards of performance for new sources under this section, the Administrator shall take into consideration the cost of achieving such effluent reduction, and any non-water quality, environmental impact and energy requirements.
(2) The Administrator may distinguish among classes, types, and sizes within categories of new sources for the purpose of establishing such standards and shall consider the type of process employed (including whether batch or continuous).
(3) The provisions of this section shall apply to any new source owned or operated by the United States.
(c) State enforcement of standards of performance
(d) Protection from more stringent standards
(e) Illegality of operation of new sources in violation of applicable standards of performance
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 306, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 854.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1316

§ 1317. Toxic and pretreatment effluent standards
(a) Toxic pollutant list; revision; hearing; promulgation of standards; effective date; consultation
(1) On and after December 27, 1977, the list of toxic pollutants or combination of pollutants subject to this chapter shall consist of those toxic pollutants listed in table 1 of Committee Print Numbered 95–30 of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives, and the Administrator shall publish, not later than the thirtieth day after December 27, 1977, that list. From time to time thereafter, the Administrator may revise such list and the Administrator is authorized to add to or remove from such list any pollutant. The Administrator in publishing any revised list, including the addition or removal of any pollutant from such list, shall take into account toxicity of the pollutant, its persistence, degradability, the usual or potential presence of the affected organisms in any waters, the importance of the affected organisms, and the nature and extent of the effect of the toxic pollutant on such organisms. A determination of the Administrator under this paragraph shall be final except that if, on judicial review, such determination was based on arbitrary and capricious action of the Administrator, the Administrator shall make a redetermination.
(2) Each toxic pollutant listed in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be subject to effluent limitations resulting from the application of the best available technology economically achievable for the applicable category or class of point sources established in accordance with sections 1311(b)(2)(A) and 1314(b)(2) of this title. The Administrator, in his discretion, may publish in the Federal Register a proposed effluent standard (which may include a prohibition) establishing requirements for a toxic pollutant which, if an effluent limitation is applicable to a class or category of point sources, shall be applicable to such category or class only if such standard imposes more stringent requirements. Such published effluent standard (or prohibition) shall take into account the toxicity of the pollutant, its persistence, degradability, the usual or potential presence of the affected organisms in any waters, the importance of the affected organisms and the nature and extent of the effect of the toxic pollutant on such organisms, and the extent to which effective control is being or may be achieved under other regulatory authority. The Administrator shall allow a period of not less than sixty days following publication of any such proposed effluent standard (or prohibition) for written comment by interested persons on such proposed standard. In addition, if within thirty days of publication of any such proposed effluent standard (or prohibition) any interested person so requests, the Administrator shall hold a public hearing in connection therewith. Such a public hearing shall provide an opportunity for oral and written presentations, such cross-examination as the Administrator determines is appropriate on disputed issues of material fact, and the transcription of a verbatim record which shall be available to the public. After consideration of such comments and any information and material presented at any public hearing held on such proposed standard or prohibition, the Administrator shall promulgate such standard (or prohibition) with such modification as the Administrator finds are justified. Such promulgation by the Administrator shall be made within two hundred and seventy days after publication of proposed standard (or prohibition). Such standard (or prohibition) shall be final except that if, on judicial review, such standard was not based on substantial evidence, the Administrator shall promulgate a revised standard. Effluent limitations shall be established in accordance with sections 1311(b)(2)(A) and 1314(b)(2) of this title for every toxic pollutant referred to in table 1 of Committee Print Numbered 95–30 of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after December 27, 1977, but no later than July 1, 1980. Such effluent limitations or effluent standards (or prohibitions) shall be established for every other toxic pollutant listed under paragraph (1) of this subsection as soon as practicable after it is so listed.
(3) Each such effluent standard (or prohibition) shall be reviewed and, if appropriate, revised at least every three years.
(4) Any effluent standard promulgated under this section shall be at that level which the Administrator determines provides an ample margin of safety.
(5) When proposing or promulgating any effluent standard (or prohibition) under this section, the Administrator shall designate the category or categories of sources to which the effluent standard (or prohibition) shall apply. Any disposal of dredged material may be included in such a category of sources after consultation with the Secretary of the Army.
(6) Any effluent standard (or prohibition) established pursuant to this section shall take effect on such date or dates as specified in the order promulgating such standard, but in no case, more than one year from the date of such promulgation. If the Administrator determines that compliance within one year from the date of promulgation is technologically infeasible for a category of sources, the Administrator may establish the effective date of the effluent standard (or prohibition) for such category at the earliest date upon which compliance can be feasibly attained by sources within such category, but in no event more than three years after the date of such promulgation.
(7) Prior to publishing any regulations pursuant to this section the Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable within the time provided, consult with appropriate advisory committees, States, independent experts, and Federal departments and agencies.
(b) Pretreatment standards; hearing; promulgation; compliance period; revision; application to State and local laws
(1) The Administrator shall, within one hundred and eighty days after October 18, 1972, and from time to time thereafter, publish proposed regulations establishing pretreatment standards for introduction of pollutants into treatment works (as defined in section 1292 of this title) which are publicly owned for those pollutants which are determined not to be susceptible to treatment by such treatment works or which would interfere with the operation of such treatment works. Not later than ninety days after such publication, and after opportunity for public hearing, the Administrator shall promulgate such pretreatment standards. Pretreatment standards under this subsection shall specify a time for compliance not to exceed three years from the date of promulgation and shall be established to prevent the discharge of any pollutant through treatment works (as defined in section 1292 of this title) which are publicly owned, which pollutant interferes with, passes through, or otherwise is incompatible with such works. If, in the case of any toxic pollutant under subsection (a) of this section introduced by a source into a publicly owned treatment works, the treatment by such works removes all or any part of such toxic pollutant and the discharge from such works does not violate that effluent limitation or standard which would be applicable to such toxic pollutant if it were discharged by such source other than through a publicly owned treatment works, and does not prevent sludge use or disposal by such works in accordance with section 1345 of this title, then the pretreatment requirements for the sources actually discharging such toxic pollutant into such publicly owned treatment works may be revised by the owner or operator of such works to reflect the removal of such toxic pollutant by such works.
(2) The Administrator shall, from time to time, as control technology, processes, operating methods, or other alternatives change, revise such standards following the procedure established by this subsection for promulgation of such standards.
(3) When proposing or promulgating any pretreatment standard under this section, the Administrator shall designate the category or categories of sources to which such standard shall apply.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall affect any pretreatment requirement established by any State or local law not in conflict with any pretreatment standard established under this subsection.
(c) New sources of pollutants into publicly owned treatment works
(d) Operation in violation of standards unlawful
(e) Compliance date extension for innovative pretreatment systemsIn the case of any existing facility that proposes to comply with the pretreatment standards of subsection (b) of this section by applying an innovative system that meets the requirements of section 1311(k) of this title, the owner or operator of the publicly owned treatment works receiving the treated effluent from such facility may extend the date for compliance with the applicable pretreatment standard established under this section for a period not to exceed 2 years—
(1) if the Administrator determines that the innovative system has the potential for industrywide application, and
(2) if the Administrator (or the State in consultation with the Administrator, in any case in which the State has a pretreatment program approved by the Administrator)—
(A) determines that the proposed extension will not cause the publicly owned treatment works to be in violation of its permit under section 1342 of this title or of section 1345 of this title or to contribute to such a violation, and
(B) concurs with the proposed extension.
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 307, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 856; amended Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 53(a), (b), 54(a), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1589–1591; Pub. L. 100–4, title III, § 309(a), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 41.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1317

§ 1318. Records and reports; inspections
(a) Maintenance; monitoring equipment; entry; access to informationWhenever required to carry out the objective of this chapter, including but not limited to (1) developing or assisting in the development of any effluent limitation, or other limitation, prohibition, or effluent standard, pretreatment standard, or standard of performance under this chapter; (2) determining whether any person is in violation of any such effluent limitation, or other limitation, prohibition or effluent standard, pretreatment standard, or standard of performance; (3) any requirement established under this section; or (4) carrying out sections 1315, 1321, 1342, 1344 (relating to State permit programs), 1345, and 1364 of this title—
(A) the Administrator shall require the owner or operator of any point source to (i) establish and maintain such records, (ii) make such reports, (iii) install, use, and maintain such monitoring equipment or methods (including where appropriate, biological monitoring methods), (iv) sample such effluents (in accordance with such methods, at such locations, at such intervals, and in such manner as the Administrator shall prescribe), and (v) provide such other information as he may reasonably require; and
(B) the Administrator or his authorized representative (including an authorized contractor acting as a representative of the Administrator), upon presentation of his credentials—
(i) shall have a right of entry to, upon, or through any premises in which an effluent source is located or in which any records required to be maintained under clause (A) of this subsection are located, and
(ii) may at reasonable times have access to and copy any records, inspect any monitoring equipment or method required under clause (A), and sample any effluents which the owner or operator of such source is required to sample under such clause.
(b) Availability to public; trade secrets exception; penalty for disclosure of confidential information
(c) Application of State law
(d) Access by Congress
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 308, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 858; amended Pub. L. 95–217, § 67(c)(1), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1606; Pub. L. 100–4, title III, § 310, title IV, § 406(d)(1), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 41, 73.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1318

§ 1319. Enforcement
(a) State enforcement; compliance orders
(1) Whenever, on the basis of any information available to him, the Administrator finds that any person is in violation of any condition or limitation which implements section 1311, 1312, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1328, or 1345 of this title in a permit issued by a State under an approved permit program under section 1342 or 1344 of this title he shall proceed under his authority in paragraph (3) of this subsection or he shall notify the person in alleged violation and such State of such finding. If beyond the thirtieth day after the Administrator’s notification the State has not commenced appropriate enforcement action, the Administrator shall issue an order requiring such person to comply with such condition or limitation or shall bring a civil action in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Whenever, on the basis of information available to him, the Administrator finds that violations of permit conditions or limitations as set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection are so widespread that such violations appear to result from a failure of the State to enforce such permit conditions or limitations effectively, he shall so notify the State. If the Administrator finds such failure extends beyond the thirtieth day after such notice, he shall give public notice of such finding. During the period beginning with such public notice and ending when such State satisfies the Administrator that it will enforce such conditions and limitations (hereafter referred to in this section as the period of “federally assumed enforcement”), except where an extension has been granted under paragraph (5)(B) of this subsection, the Administrator shall enforce any permit condition or limitation with respect to any person—
(A) by issuing an order to comply with such condition or limitation, or
(B) by bringing a civil action under subsection (b) of this section.
(3) Whenever on the basis of any information available to him the Administrator finds that any person is in violation of section 1311, 1312, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1322(p), 1328, or 1345 of this title, or is in violation of any permit condition or limitation implementing any of such sections in a permit issued under section 1342 of this title by him or by a State or in a permit issued under section 1344 of this title by a State, he shall issue an order requiring such person to comply with such section or requirement, or he shall bring a civil action in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(4) A copy of any order issued under this subsection shall be sent immediately by the Administrator to the State in which the violation occurs and other affected States. In any case in which an order under this subsection (or notice to a violator under paragraph (1) of this subsection) is issued to a corporation, a copy of such order (or notice) shall be served on any appropriate corporate officers. An order issued under this subsection relating to a violation of section 1318 of this title shall not take effect until the person to whom it is issued has had an opportunity to confer with the Administrator concerning the alleged violation.
(5)
(A) Any order issued under this subsection shall be by personal service, shall state with reasonable specificity the nature of the violation, and shall specify a time for compliance not to exceed thirty days in the case of a violation of an interim compliance schedule or operation and maintenance requirement and not to exceed a time the Administrator determines to be reasonable in the case of a violation of a final deadline, taking into account the seriousness of the violation and any good faith efforts to comply with applicable requirements.
(B) The Administrator may, if he determines (i) that any person who is a violator of, or any person who is otherwise not in compliance with, the time requirements under this chapter or in any permit issued under this chapter, has acted in good faith, and has made a commitment (in the form of contracts or other securities) of necessary resources to achieve compliance by the earliest possible date after July 1, 1977, but not later than April 1, 1979; (ii) that any extension under this provision will not result in the imposition of any additional controls on any other point or nonpoint source; (iii) that an application for a permit under section 1342 of this title was filed for such person prior to December 31, 1974; and (iv) that the facilities necessary for compliance with such requirements are under construction, grant an extension of the date referred to in section 1311(b)(1)(A) of this title to a date which will achieve compliance at the earliest time possible but not later than April 1, 1979.
(6) Whenever, on the basis of information available to him, the Administrator finds (A) that any person is in violation of section 1311(b)(1)(A) or (C) of this title, (B) that such person cannot meet the requirements for a time extension under section 1311(i)(2) of this title, and (C) that the most expeditious and appropriate means of compliance with this chapter by such person is to discharge into a publicly owned treatment works, then, upon request of such person, the Administrator may issue an order requiring such person to comply with this chapter at the earliest date practicable, but not later than July 1, 1983, by discharging into a publicly owned treatment works if such works concur with such order. Such order shall include a schedule of compliance.
(b) Civil actions
(c) Criminal penalties
(1) Negligent violationsAny person who—
(A) negligently violates section 1311, 1312, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1321(b)(3), 1322(p), 1328, or 1345 of this title, or any permit condition or limitation implementing any of such sections in a permit issued under section 1342 of this title by the Administrator or by a State, or any requirement imposed in a pretreatment program approved under section 1342(a)(3) or 1342(b)(8) of this title or in a permit issued under section 1344 of this title by the Secretary of the Army or by a State; or
(B) negligently introduces into a sewer system or into a publicly owned treatment works any pollutant or hazardous substance which such person knew or reasonably should have known could cause personal injury or property damage or, other than in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, or local requirements or permits, which causes such treatment works to violate any effluent limitation or condition in any permit issued to the treatment works under section 1342 of this title by the Administrator or a State;
shall be punished by a fine of not less than $2,500 nor more than $25,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or by both. If a conviction of a person is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this paragraph, punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 2 years, or by both.
(2) Knowing violationsAny person who—
(A) knowingly violates section 1311, 1312, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1321(b)(3), 1322(p), 1328, or 1345 of this title, or any permit condition or limitation implementing any of such sections in a permit issued under section 1342 of this title by the Administrator or by a State, or any requirement imposed in a pretreatment program approved under section 1342(a)(3) or 1342(b)(8) of this title or in a permit issued under section 1344 of this title by the Secretary of the Army or by a State; or
(B) knowingly introduces into a sewer system or into a publicly owned treatment works any pollutant or hazardous substance which such person knew or reasonably should have known could cause personal injury or property damage or, other than in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, or local requirements or permits, which causes such treatment works to violate any effluent limitation or condition in a permit issued to the treatment works under section 1342 of this title by the Administrator or a State;
shall be punished by a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 3 years, or by both. If a conviction of a person is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this paragraph, punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $100,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 6 years, or by both.
(3) Knowing endangerment
(A) General rule
(B) Additional provisionsFor the purpose of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph—
(i) in determining whether a defendant who is an individual knew that his conduct placed another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury—(I) the person is responsible only for actual awareness or actual belief that he possessed; and(II) knowledge possessed by a person other than the defendant but not by the defendant himself may not be attributed to the defendant;
 except that in proving the defendant’s possession of actual knowledge, circumstantial evidence may be used, including evidence that the defendant took affirmative steps to shield himself from relevant information;
(ii) it is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the conduct charged was consented to by the person endangered and that the danger and conduct charged were reasonably foreseeable hazards of—(I) an occupation, a business, or a profession; or(II) medical treatment or medical or scientific experimentation conducted by professionally approved methods and such other person had been made aware of the risks involved prior to giving consent;
 and such defense may be established under this subparagraph by a preponderance of the evidence;
(iii) the term “organization” means a legal entity, other than a government, established or organized for any purpose, and such term includes a corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, joint stock company, foundation, institution, trust, society, union, or any other association of persons; and
(iv) the term “serious bodily injury” means bodily injury which involves a substantial risk of death, unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty.
(4) False statements
(5) Treatment of single operational upset
(6) Responsible corporate officer as “person”
(7) Hazardous substance defined
(d) Civil penalties; factors considered in determining amount
(e) State liability for judgments and expenses
(f) Wrongful introduction of pollutant into treatment works
(g) Administrative penalties
(1) ViolationsWhenever on the basis of any information available—
(A) the Administrator finds that any person has violated section 1311, 1312, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1322(p), 1328, or 1345 of this title, or has violated any permit condition or limitation implementing any of such sections in a permit issued under section 1342 of this title by the Administrator or by a State, or in a permit issued under section 1344 of this title by a State, or
(B) the Secretary of the Army (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “Secretary”) finds that any person has violated any permit condition or limitation in a permit issued under section 1344 of this title by the Secretary,
the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, may, after consultation with the State in which the violation occurs, assess a class I civil penalty or a class II civil penalty under this subsection.
(2) Classes of penalties
(A) Class I
(B) Class II
(3) Determining amount
(4) Rights of interested persons
(A) Public notice
(B) Presentation of evidence
(C) Rights of interested persons to a hearing
(5) Finality of order
(6) Effect of order
(A) Limitation on actions under other sectionsAction taken by the Administrator or the Secretary, as the case may be, under this subsection shall not affect or limit the Administrator’s or Secretary’s authority to enforce any provision of this chapter; except that any violation—
(i) with respect to which the Administrator or the Secretary has commenced and is diligently prosecuting an action under this subsection,
(ii) with respect to which a State has commenced and is diligently prosecuting an action under a State law comparable to this subsection, or
(iii) for which the Administrator, the Secretary, or the State has issued a final order not subject to further judicial review and the violator has paid a penalty assessed under this subsection, or such comparable State law, as the case may be,
shall not be the subject of a civil penalty action under subsection (d) of this section or section 1321(b) of this title or section 1365 of this title.
(B) Applicability of limitation with respect to citizen suitsThe limitations contained in subparagraph (A) on civil penalty actions under section 1365 of this title shall not apply with respect to any violation for which—
(i) a civil action under section 1365(a)(1) of this title has been filed prior to commencement of an action under this subsection, or
(ii) notice of an alleged violation of section 1365(a)(1) of this title has been given in accordance with section 1365(b)(1)(A) of this title prior to commencement of an action under this subsection and an action under section 1365(a)(1) of this title with respect to such alleged violation is filed before the 120th day after the date on which such notice is given.
(7) Effect of action on compliance
(8) Judicial reviewAny person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this subsection or who commented on the proposed assessment of such penalty in accordance with paragraph (4) may obtain review of such assessment—
(A) in the case of assessment of a class I civil penalty, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or in the district in which the violation is alleged to have occurred, or
(B) in the case of assessment of a class II civil penalty, in United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or for any other circuit in which such person resides or transacts business,
by filing a notice of appeal in such court within the 30-day period beginning on the date the civil penalty order is issued and by simultaneously sending a copy of such notice by certified mail to the Administrator or the Secretary, as the case may be, and the Attorney General. The Administrator or the Secretary shall promptly file in such court a certified copy of the record on which the order was issued. Such court shall not set aside or remand such order unless there is not substantial evidence in the record, taken as a whole, to support the finding of a violation or unless the Administrator’s or Secretary’s assessment of the penalty constitutes an abuse of discretion and shall not impose additional civil penalties for the same violation unless the Administrator’s or Secretary’s assessment of the penalty constitutes an abuse of discretion.
(9) CollectionIf any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty—
(A) after the order making the assessment has become final, or
(B) after a court in an action brought under paragraph (8) has entered a final judgment in favor of the Administrator or the Secretary, as the case may be,
the Administrator or the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to bring a civil action in an appropriate district court to recover the amount assessed (plus interest at currently prevailing rates from the date of the final order or the date of the final judgment, as the case may be). In such an action, the validity, amount, and appropriateness of such penalty shall not be subject to review. Any person who fails to pay on a timely basis the amount of an assessment of a civil penalty as described in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be required to pay, in addition to such amount and interest, attorneys fees and costs for collection proceedings and a quarterly nonpayment penalty for each quarter during which such failure to pay persists. Such nonpayment penalty shall be in an amount equal to 20 percent of the aggregate amount of such person’s penalties and nonpayment penalties which are unpaid as of the beginning of such quarter.
(10) Subpoenas
(11) Protection of existing procedures
(h) Implementation of integrated plans
(1) In general
(2) Modification
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 309, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 859; amended Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 54(b), 55, 56, 67(c)(2), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1591, 1592, 1606; Pub. L. 100–4, title III, §§ 312, 313(a)(1), (b)(1), (c), 314(a), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 42, 45, 46; Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4301(c), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 537; Pub. L. 115–282, title IX, § 903(c)(2), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4356; Pub. L. 115–436, § 3(b), Jan. 14, 2019, 132 Stat. 5560.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1319

§ 1320. International pollution abatement
(a) Hearing; participation by foreign nations
(b) Functions and responsibilities of Administrator not affected
(c) Hearing board; composition; findings of fact; recommendations; implementation of board’s decision
(d) Report by alleged polluter
(e) Compensation of board members
(f) Enforcement proceedings
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 310, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 860.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1320

§ 1321. Oil and hazardous substance liability
(a) DefinitionsFor the purpose of this section, the term—
(1) “oil” means oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil;
(2) “discharge” includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping, but excludes (A) discharges in compliance with a permit under section 1342 of this title, (B) discharges resulting from circumstances identified and reviewed and made a part of the public record with respect to a permit issued or modified under section 1342 of this title, and subject to a condition in such permit,,1
1 So in original.
(C) continuous or anticipated intermittent discharges from a point source, identified in a permit or permit application under section 1342 of this title, which are caused by events occurring within the scope of relevant operating or treatment systems, and (D) discharges incidental to mechanical removal authorized by the President under subsection (c) of this section;
(3) “vessel” means every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water other than a public vessel;
(4) “public vessel” means a vessel owned or bareboat-chartered and operated by the United States, or by a State or political subdivision thereof, or by a foreign nation, except when such vessel is engaged in commerce;
(5) “United States” means the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands;
(6) “owner or operator” means (A) in the case of a vessel, any person owning, operating, or chartering by demise, such vessel, and (B) in the case of an onshore facility, and an offshore facility, any person owning or operating such onshore facility or offshore facility, and (C) in the case of any abandoned offshore facility, the person who owned or operated such facility immediately prior to such abandonment;
(7) “person” includes an individual, firm, corporation, association, and a partnership;
(8) “remove” or “removal” refers to containment and removal of the oil or hazardous substances from the water and shorelines or the taking of such other actions as may be necessary to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage to the public health or welfare, including, but not limited to, fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public and private property, shorelines, and beaches;
(9) “contiguous zone” means the entire zone established or to be established by the United States under article 24 of the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone;
(10) “onshore facility” means any facility (including, but not limited to, motor vehicles and rolling stock) of any kind located in, on, or under, any land within the United States other than submerged land;
(11) “offshore facility” means any facility of any kind located in, on, or under, any of the navigable waters of the United States, any facility of any kind which is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and is located in, on, or under any other waters, other than a vessel or a public vessel, and, for the purposes of applying subsections (b), (c), (e), and (o), any foreign offshore unit (as defined in section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act 2
2 See References in Text note below.
) or any other facility located seaward of the exclusive economic zone;
(12) “act of God” means an act occasioned by an unanticipated grave natural disaster;
(13) “barrel” means 42 United States gallons at 60 degrees Fahrenheit;
(14) “hazardous substance” means any substance designated pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section;
(15) “inland oil barge” means a non-self-propelled vessel carrying oil in bulk as cargo and certificated to operate only in the inland waters of the United States, while operating in such waters;
(16) “inland waters of the United States” means those waters of the United States lying inside the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured and those waters outside such baseline which are a part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway;
(17) “otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” means subject to the jurisdiction of the United States by virtue of United States citizenship, United States vessel documentation or numbering, or as provided for by international agreement to which the United States is a party;
(18) “Area Committee” means an Area Committee established under subsection (j);
(19) “Area Contingency Plan” means an Area Contingency Plan prepared under subsection (j);
(20) “Coast Guard District Response Group” means a Coast Guard District Response Group established under subsection (j);
(21) “Federal On-Scene Coordinator” means a Federal On-Scene Coordinator designated in the National Contingency Plan;
(22) “National Contingency Plan” means the National Contingency Plan prepared and published under subsection (d);
(23) “National Response Unit” means the National Response Unit established under subsection (j);
(24) “worst case discharge” means—
(A) in the case of a vessel, a discharge in adverse weather conditions of its entire cargo; and
(B) in the case of an offshore facility or onshore facility, the largest foreseeable discharge in adverse weather conditions;
(25) “removal costs” means—
(A) the costs of removal of oil or a hazardous substance that are incurred after it is discharged; and
(B) in any case in which there is a substantial threat of a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance, the costs to prevent, minimize, or mitigate that threat;
(26) “nontank vessel” means a self-propelled vessel that—
(A) is at least 400 gross tons as measured under section 14302 of title 46 or, for vessels not measured under that section, as measured under section 14502 of that title;
(B) is not a tank vessel;
(C) carries oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion; and
(D) operates on the navigable waters of the United States, as defined in section 2101(23) of that title;
(27) the term “best available science” means science that—
(A) maximizes the quality, objectivity, and integrity of information, including statistical information;
(B) uses peer-reviewed and publicly available data; and
(C) clearly documents and communicates risks and uncertainties in the scientific basis for such projects;
(28) the term “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Council;
(29) the term “coastal political subdivision” means any local political jurisdiction that is immediately below the State level of government, including a county, parish, or borough, with a coastline that is contiguous with any portion of the United States Gulf of Mexico;
(30) the term “Comprehensive Plan” means the comprehensive plan developed by the Council pursuant to subsection (t);
(31) the term “Council” means the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council established pursuant to subsection (t);
(32) the term “Deepwater Horizon oil spill” means the blowout and explosion of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon that occurred on April 20, 2010, and resulting hydrocarbon releases into the environment;
(33) the term “Gulf Coast region” means—
(A) in the Gulf Coast States, the coastal zones (as that term is defined in section 1453 of title 16),1 except that, in this section, the term “coastal zones” includes land within the coastal zones that is held in trust by, or the use of which is by law subject solely to the discretion of, the Federal Government or officers or agents of the Federal Government)) 1 that border the Gulf of Mexico;
(B) any adjacent land, water, and watersheds, that are within 25 miles of the coastal zones described in subparagraph (A) of the Gulf Coast States; and
(C) all Federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico;
(34) the term “Gulf Coast State” means any of the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas; and
(35) the term “Trust Fund” means the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund established pursuant to section 1602 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012.
(b) Congressional declaration of policy against discharges of oil or hazardous substances; designation of hazardous substances; study of higher standard of care incentives and report to Congress; liability; penalties; civil actions: penalty limitations, separate offenses, jurisdiction, mitigation of damages and costs, recovery of removal costs, alternative remedies, and withholding clearance of vessels
(1) The Congress hereby declares that it is the policy of the United States that there should be no discharges of oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United States, adjoining shorelines, or into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone, or in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 [33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.], or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States (including resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]).
(2)
(A) The Administrator shall develop, promulgate, and revise as may be appropriate, regulations designating as hazardous substances, other than oil as defined in this section, such elements and compounds which, when discharged in any quantity into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines or the waters of the contiguous zone or in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 [33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.], or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States (including resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]), present an imminent and substantial danger to the public health or welfare, including, but not limited to, fish, shellfish, wildlife, shorelines, and beaches.
(B) The Administrator shall within 18 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, conduct a study and report to the Congress on methods, mechanisms, and procedures to create incentives to achieve a higher standard of care in all aspects of the management and movement of hazardous substances on the part of owners, operators, or persons in charge of onshore facilities, offshore facilities, or vessels. The Administrator shall include in such study (1) limits of liability, (2) liability for third party damages, (3) penalties and fees, (4) spill prevention plans, (5) current practices in the insurance and banking industries, and (6) whether the penalty enacted in subclause (bb) of clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(2) of section 311 of Public Law 92–500 should be enacted.
(3) The discharge of oil or hazardous substances (i) into or upon the navigable waters of the United States, adjoining shorelines, or into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone, or (ii) in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 [33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.], or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States (including resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]), in such quantities as may be harmful as determined by the President under paragraph (4) of this subsection, is prohibited, except (A) in the case of such discharges into the waters of the contiguous zone or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States (including resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act), where permitted under the Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, and (B) where permitted in quantities and at times and locations or under such circumstances or conditions as the President may, by regulation, determine not to be harmful. Any regulations issued under this subsection shall be consistent with maritime safety and with marine and navigation laws and regulations and applicable water quality standards.
(4) The President shall by regulation determine for the purposes of this section those quantities of oil and any hazardous substances the discharge of which may be harmful to the public health or welfare or the environment of the United States, including but not limited to fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public and private property, shorelines, and beaches.
(5) Any person in charge of a vessel or of an onshore facility or an offshore facility shall, as soon as he has knowledge of any discharge of oil or a hazardous substance from such vessel or facility in violation of paragraph (3) of this subsection, immediately notify the appropriate agency of the United States Government of such discharge. The Federal agency shall immediately notify the appropriate State agency of any State which is, or may reasonably be expected to be, affected by the discharge of oil or a hazardous substance. Any such person (A) in charge of a vessel from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of paragraph (3)(i) of this subsection, or (B) in charge of a vessel from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of paragraph (3)(ii) of this subsection and who is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States at the time of the discharge, or (C) in charge of an onshore facility or an offshore facility, who fails to notify immediately such agency of such discharge shall, upon conviction, be fined in accordance with title 18, or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both. Notification received pursuant to this paragraph shall not be used against any such natural person in any criminal case, except a prosecution for perjury or for giving a false statement.
(6)Administrative penalties.—
(A)Violations.—Any owner, operator, or person in charge of any vessel, onshore facility, or offshore facility—
(i) from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of paragraph (3), or
(ii) who fails or refuses to comply with any regulation issued under subsection (j) to which that owner, operator, or person in charge is subject,
may be assessed a class I or class II civil penalty by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Administrator.
(B)Classes of penalties.—
(i)Class i.—The amount of a class I civil penalty under subparagraph (A) may not exceed $10,000 per violation, except that the maximum amount of any class I civil penalty under this subparagraph shall not exceed $25,000. Before assessing a civil penalty under this clause, the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, shall give to the person to be assessed such penalty written notice of the Administrator’s or Secretary’s proposal to assess the penalty and the opportunity to request, within 30 days of the date the notice is received by such person, a hearing on the proposed penalty. Such hearing shall not be subject to section 554 or 556 of title 5, but shall provide a reasonable opportunity to be heard and to present evidence.
(ii)Class ii.—The amount of a class II civil penalty under subparagraph (A) may not exceed $10,000 per day for each day during which the violation continues; except that the maximum amount of any class II civil penalty under this subparagraph shall not exceed $125,000. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a class II civil penalty shall be assessed and collected in the same manner, and subject to the same provisions, as in the case of civil penalties assessed and collected after notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record in accordance with section 554 of title 5. The Administrator and Secretary may issue rules for discovery procedures for hearings under this paragraph.
(C)Rights of interested persons.—
(i)Public notice.—Before issuing an order assessing a class II civil penalty under this paragraph the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, shall provide public notice of and reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed issuance of such order.
(ii)Presentation of evidence.—Any person who comments on a proposed assessment of a class II civil penalty under this paragraph shall be given notice of any hearing held under this paragraph and of the order assessing such penalty. In any hearing held under this paragraph, such person shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard and to present evidence.
(iii)Rights of interested persons to a hearing.—If no hearing is held under subparagraph (B) before issuance of an order assessing a class II civil penalty under this paragraph, any person who commented on the proposed assessment may petition, within 30 days after the issuance of such order, the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, to set aside such order and to provide a hearing on the penalty. If the evidence presented by the petitioner in support of the petition is material and was not considered in the issuance of the order, the Administrator or Secretary shall immediately set aside such order and provide a hearing in accordance with subparagraph (B)(ii). If the Administrator or Secretary denies a hearing under this clause, the Administrator or Secretary shall provide to the petitioner, and publish in the Federal Register, notice of and the reasons for such denial.
(D)Finality of order.—An order assessing a class II civil penalty under this paragraph shall become final 30 days after its issuance unless a petition for judicial review is filed under subparagraph (G) or a hearing is requested under subparagraph (C)(iii). If such a hearing is denied, such order shall become final 30 days after such denial.
(E)Effect of order.—Action taken by the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, under this paragraph shall not affect or limit the Administrator’s or Secretary’s authority to enforce any provision of this chapter; except that any violation—
(i) with respect to which the Administrator or Secretary has commenced and is diligently prosecuting an action to assess a class II civil penalty under this paragraph, or
(ii) for which the Administrator or Secretary has issued a final order assessing a class II civil penalty not subject to further judicial review and the violator has paid a penalty assessed under this paragraph,
shall not be the subject of a civil penalty action under section 1319(d), 1319(g), or 1365 of this title or under paragraph (7).
(F)Effect of action on compliance.—No action by the Administrator or Secretary under this paragraph shall affect any person’s obligation to comply with any section of this chapter.
(G)Judicial review.—Any person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this paragraph or who commented on the proposed assessment of such penalty in accordance with subparagraph (C) may obtain review of such assessment—
(i) in the case of assessment of a class I civil penalty, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or in the district in which the violation is alleged to have occurred, or
(ii) in the case of assessment of a class II civil penalty, in United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or for any other circuit in which such person resides or transacts business,
by filing a notice of appeal in such court within the 30-day period beginning on the date the civil penalty order is issued and by simultaneously sending a copy of such notice by certified mail to the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, and the Attorney General. The Administrator or Secretary shall promptly file in such court a certified copy of the record on which the order was issued. Such court shall not set aside or remand such order unless there is not substantial evidence in the record, taken as a whole, to support the finding of a violation or unless the Administrator’s or Secretary’s assessment of the penalty constitutes an abuse of discretion and shall not impose additional civil penalties for the same violation unless the Administrator’s or Secretary’s assessment of the penalty constitutes an abuse of discretion.
(H)Collection.—If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty—
(i) after the assessment has become final, or
(ii) after a court in an action brought under subparagraph (G) has entered a final judgment in favor of the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be,
the Administrator or Secretary shall request the Attorney General to bring a civil action in an appropriate district court to recover the amount assessed (plus interest at currently prevailing rates from the date of the final order or the date of the final judgment, as the case may be). In such an action, the validity, amount, and appropriateness of such penalty shall not be subject to review. Any person who fails to pay on a timely basis the amount of an assessment of a civil penalty as described in the first sentence of this subparagraph shall be required to pay, in addition to such amount and interest, attorneys fees and costs for collection proceedings and a quarterly nonpayment penalty for each quarter during which such failure to pay persists. Such nonpayment penalty shall be in an amount equal to 20 percent of the aggregate amount of such person’s penalties and nonpayment penalties which are unpaid as of the beginning of such quarter.
(I)Subpoenas.—The Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, may issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, or documents in connection with hearings under this paragraph. In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena issued pursuant to this subparagraph and served upon any person, the district court of the United States for any district in which such person is found, resides, or transacts business, upon application by the United States and after notice to such person, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person to appear and give testimony before the administrative law judge or to appear and produce documents before the administrative law judge, or both, and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.
(7)Civil penalty action.—
(A)Discharge, generally.—Any person who is the owner, operator, or person in charge of any vessel, onshore facility, or offshore facility from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of paragraph (3), shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount up to $25,000 per day of violation or an amount up to $1,000 per barrel of oil or unit of reportable quantity of hazardous substances discharged.
(B)Failure to remove or comply.—Any person described in subparagraph (A) who, without sufficient cause—
(i) fails to properly carry out removal of the discharge under an order of the President pursuant to subsection (c); or
(ii) fails to comply with an order pursuant to subsection (e)(1)(B);
shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount up to $25,000 per day of violation or an amount up to 3 times the costs incurred by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund as a result of such failure.
(C)Failure to comply with regulation.—Any person who fails or refuses to comply with any regulation issued under subsection (j) shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount up to $25,000 per day of violation.
(D)Gross negligence.—In any case in which a violation of paragraph (3) was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct of a person described in subparagraph (A), the person shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100,000, and not more than $3,000 per barrel of oil or unit of reportable quantity of hazardous substance discharged.
(E)Jurisdiction.—An action to impose a civil penalty under this paragraph may be brought in the district court of the United States for the district in which the defendant is located, resides, or is doing business, and such court shall have jurisdiction to assess such penalty.
(F)Limitation.—A person is not liable for a civil penalty under this paragraph for a discharge if the person has been assessed a civil penalty under paragraph (6) for the discharge.
(8)Determination of amount.—In determining the amount of a civil penalty under paragraphs (6) and (7), the Administrator, Secretary, or the court, as the case may be, shall consider the seriousness of the violation or violations, the economic benefit to the violator, if any, resulting from the violation, the degree of culpability involved, any other penalty for the same incident, any history of prior violations, the nature, extent, and degree of success of any efforts of the violator to minimize or mitigate the effects of the discharge, the economic impact of the penalty on the violator, and any other matters as justice may require.
(9)Mitigation of damage.—In addition to establishing a penalty for the discharge of oil or a hazardous substance, the Administrator or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may act to mitigate the damage to the public health or welfare caused by such discharge. The cost of such mitigation shall be deemed a cost incurred under subsection (c) of this section for the removal of such substance by the United States Government.
(10)Recovery of removal costs.—Any costs of removal incurred in connection with a discharge excluded by subsection (a)(2)(C) of this section shall be recoverable from the owner or operator of the source of the discharge in an action brought under section 1319(b) of this title.
(11)Limitation.—Civil penalties shall not be assessed under both this section and section 1319 of this title for the same discharge.
(12)Withholding clearance.—If any owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel is liable for a civil penalty under this subsection, or if reasonable cause exists to believe that the owner, operator, or person in charge may be subject to a civil penalty under this subsection, the Secretary of the Treasury, upon the request of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating or the Administrator, shall with respect to such vessel refuse or revoke—
(A) the clearance required by section 60105 of title 46;
(B) a permit to proceed under section 4367 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (46 U.S.C. App. 313); 2 and
(C) a permit to depart required under section 1443 2 of title 19;
as applicable. Clearance or a permit refused or revoked under this paragraph may be granted upon the filing of a bond or other surety satisfactory to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating or the Administrator.
(c) Federal removal authority
(1) General removal requirement
(A) The President shall, in accordance with the National Contingency Plan and any appropriate Area Contingency Plan, ensure effective and immediate removal of a discharge, and mitigation or prevention of a substantial threat of a discharge, of oil or a hazardous substance—
(i) into or on the navigable waters;
(ii) on the adjoining shorelines to the navigable waters;
(iii) into or on the waters of the exclusive economic zone; or
(iv) that may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States.
(B) In carrying out this paragraph, the President may—
(i) remove or arrange for the removal of a discharge, and mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of a discharge, at any time;
(ii) direct or monitor all Federal, State, and private actions to remove a discharge; and
(iii) remove and, if necessary, destroy a vessel discharging, or threatening to discharge, by whatever means are available.
(2) Discharge posing substantial threat to public health or welfare
(A) If a discharge, or a substantial threat of a discharge, of oil or a hazardous substance from a vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility is of such a size or character as to be a substantial threat to the public health or welfare of the United States (including but not limited to fish, shellfish, wildlife, other natural resources, and the public and private beaches and shorelines of the United States), the President shall direct all Federal, State, and private actions to remove the discharge or to mitigate or prevent the threat of the discharge.
(B) In carrying out this paragraph, the President may, without regard to any other provision of law governing contracting procedures or employment of personnel by the Federal Government—
(i) remove or arrange for the removal of the discharge, or mitigate or prevent the substantial threat of the discharge; and
(ii) remove and, if necessary, destroy a vessel discharging, or threatening to discharge, by whatever means are available.
(3) Actions in accordance with National Contingency Plan
(A) Each Federal agency, State, owner or operator, or other person participating in efforts under this subsection shall act in accordance with the National Contingency Plan or as directed by the President.
(B) An owner or operator participating in efforts under this subsection shall act in accordance with the National Contingency Plan and the applicable response plan required under subsection (j), or as directed by the President, except that the owner or operator may deviate from the applicable response plan if the President or the Federal On-Scene Coordinator determines that deviation from the response plan would provide for a more expeditious or effective response to the spill or mitigation of its environmental effects.
(C) In any case in which the President or the Federal On-Scene Coordinator authorizes a deviation from the salvor as part of a deviation under subparagraph (B) from the applicable response plan required under subsection (j), the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing the deviation and the reasons for such deviation not less than 3 days after such deviation is authorized.
(4) Exemption from liability
(A) A person is not liable for removal costs or damages which result from actions taken or omitted to be taken in the course of rendering care, assistance, or advice consistent with the National Contingency Plan or as otherwise directed by the President relating to a discharge or a substantial threat of a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance.
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply—
(i) to a responsible party;
(ii) to a response under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.);
(iii) with respect to personal injury or wrongful death; or
(iv) if the person is grossly negligent or engages in willful misconduct.
(C) A responsible party is liable for any removal costs and damages that another person is relieved of under subparagraph (A).
(5) Obligation and liability of owner or operator not affectedNothing in this subsection affects—
(A) the obligation of an owner or operator to respond immediately to a discharge, or the threat of a discharge, of oil; or
(B) the liability of a responsible party under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.].
(6) “Responsible party” defined
(d) National Contingency Plan
(1) Preparation by President
(2) ContentsThe National Contingency Plan shall provide for efficient, coordinated, and effective action to minimize damage from oil and hazardous substance discharges, including containment, dispersal, and removal of oil and hazardous substances, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Assignment of duties and responsibilities among Federal departments and agencies in coordination with State and local agencies and port authorities including, but not limited to, water pollution control and conservation and trusteeship of natural resources (including conservation of fish and wildlife).
(B) Identification, procurement, maintenance, and storage of equipment and supplies.
(C) Establishment or designation of Coast Guard strike teams, consisting of—
(i) personnel who shall be trained, prepared, and available to provide necessary services to carry out the National Contingency Plan;
(ii) adequate oil and hazardous substance pollution control equipment and material; and
(iii) a detailed oil and hazardous substance pollution and prevention plan, including measures to protect fisheries and wildlife.
(D) A system of surveillance and notice designed to safeguard against as well as ensure earliest possible notice of discharges of oil and hazardous substances and imminent threats of such discharges to the appropriate State and Federal agencies.
(E) Establishment of a national center to provide coordination and direction for operations in carrying out the Plan.
(F) Procedures and techniques to be employed in identifying, containing, dispersing, and removing oil and hazardous substances.
(G) A schedule, prepared in cooperation with the States, identifying—
(i) dispersants, other chemicals, and other spill mitigating devices and substances, if any, that may be used in carrying out the Plan,
(ii) the waters in which such dispersants, other chemicals, and other spill mitigating devices and substances may be used, and
(iii) the quantities of such dispersant, other chemicals, or other spill mitigating device or substance which can be used safely in such waters,
which schedule shall provide in the case of any dispersant, chemical, spill mitigating device or substance, or waters not specifically identified in such schedule that the President, or his delegate, may, on a case-by-case basis, identify the dispersants, other chemicals, and other spill mitigating devices and substances which may be used, the waters in which they may be used, and the quantities which can be used safely in such waters.
(H) A system whereby the State or States affected by a discharge of oil or hazardous substance may act where necessary to remove such discharge and such State or States may be reimbursed in accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.], in the case of any discharge of oil from a vessel or facility, for the reasonable costs incurred for that removal, from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
(I) Establishment of criteria and procedures to ensure immediate and effective Federal identification of, and response to, a discharge, or the threat of a discharge, that results in a substantial threat to the public health or welfare of the United States, as required under subsection (c)(2).
(J) Establishment of procedures and standards for removing a worst case discharge of oil, and for mitigating or preventing a substantial threat of such a discharge.
(K) Designation of the Federal official who shall be the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for each area for which an Area Contingency Plan is required to be prepared under subsection (j).
(L) Establishment of procedures for the coordination of activities of—
(i) Coast Guard strike teams established under subparagraph (C);
(ii) Federal On-Scene Coordinators designated under subparagraph (K);
(iii) District Response Groups established under subsection (j); and
(iv) Area Committees established under subsection (j).
(M) A fish and wildlife response plan, developed in consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other interested parties (including State fish and wildlife conservation officials), for the immediate and effective protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of, and the minimization of risk of damage to, fish and wildlife resources and their habitat that are harmed or that may be jeopardized by a discharge.
(3) Revisions and amendments
(4) Actions in accordance with National Contingency Plan
(e) Civil enforcement
(1) Orders protecting public healthIn addition to any action taken by a State or local government, when the President determines that there may be an imminent and substantial threat to the public health or welfare of the United States, including fish, shellfish, and wildlife, public and private property, shorelines, beaches, habitat, and other living and nonliving natural resources under the jurisdiction or control of the United States, because of an actual or threatened discharge of oil or a hazardous substance from a vessel or facility in violation of subsection (b), the President may—
(A) require the Attorney General to secure any relief from any person, including the owner or operator of the vessel or facility, as may be necessary to abate such endangerment; or
(B) after notice to the affected State, take any other action under this section, including issuing administrative orders, that may be necessary to protect the public health and welfare.
(2) Jurisdiction of district courts
(f) Liability for actual costs of removal
(1) Except where an owner or operator can prove that a discharge was caused solely by (A) an act of God, (B) an act of war, (C) negligence on the part of the United States Government, or (D) an act or omission of a third party without regard to whether any such act or omission was or was not negligent, or any combination of the foregoing clauses, such owner or operator of any vessel from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of subsection (b)(3) of this section shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be liable to the United States Government for the actual costs incurred under subsection (c) for the removal of such oil or substance by the United States Government in an amount not to exceed, in the case of an inland oil barge $125 per gross ton of such barge, or $125,000, whichever is greater, and in the case of any other vessel, $150 per gross ton of such vessel (or, for a vessel carrying oil or hazardous substances as cargo, $250,000), whichever is greater, except that where the United States can show that such discharge was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct within the privity and knowledge of the owner, such owner or operator shall be liable to the United States Government for the full amount of such costs. Such costs shall constitute a maritime lien on such vessel which may be recovered in an action in rem in the district court of the United States for any district within which any vessel may be found. The United States may also bring an action against the owner or operator of such vessel in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such costs.
(2) Except where an owner or operator of an onshore facility can prove that a discharge was caused solely by (A) an act of God, (B) an act of war, (C) negligence on the part of the United States Government, or (D) an act or omission of a third party without regard to whether any such act or omission was or was not negligent, or any combination of the foregoing clauses, such owner or operator of any such facility from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of subsection (b)(3) of this section shall be liable to the United States Government for the actual costs incurred under subsection (c) for the removal of such oil or substance by the United States Government in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000, except that where the United States can show that such discharge was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct within the privity and knowledge of the owner, such owner or operator shall be liable to the United States Government for the full amount of such costs. The United States may bring an action against the owner or operator of such facility in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such costs. The Administrator is authorized, by regulation, after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Small Business Administration, to establish reasonable and equitable classifications of those onshore facilities having a total fixed storage capacity of 1,000 barrels or less which he determines because of size, type, and location do not present a substantial risk of the discharge of oil or a hazardous substance in violation of subsection (b)(3) of this section, and apply with respect to such classifications differing limits of liability which may be less than the amount contained in this paragraph.
(3) Except where an owner or operator of an offshore facility can prove that a discharge was caused solely by (A) an act of God, (B) an act of war, (C) negligence on the part of the United States Government, or (D) an act or omission of a third party without regard to whether any such act or omission was or was not negligent, or any combination of the foregoing clauses, such owner or operator of any such facility from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of subsection (b)(3) of this section shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be liable to the United States Government for the actual costs incurred under subsection (c) for the removal of such oil or substance by the United States Government in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000, except that where the United States can show that such discharge was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct within the privity and knowledge of the owner, such owner or operator shall be liable to the United States Government for the full amount of such costs. The United States may bring an action against the owner or operator of such a facility in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such costs.
(4) The costs of removal of oil or a hazardous substance for which the owner or operator of a vessel or onshore or offshore facility is liable under subsection (f) of this section shall include any costs or expenses incurred by the Federal Government or any State government in the restoration or replacement of natural resources damaged or destroyed as a result of a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance in violation of subsection (b) of this section.
(5) The President, or the authorized representative of any State, shall act on behalf of the public as trustee of the natural resources to recover for the costs of replacing or restoring such resources. Sums recovered shall be used to restore, rehabilitate, or acquire the equivalent of such natural resources by the appropriate agencies of the Federal Government, or the State government.
(g) Third party liability
(h) Rights against third parties who caused or contributed to discharge
(i) Recovery of removal costs
(j) National Response System
(1) In general
(2) National Response UnitThe Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a National Response Unit at Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The Secretary, acting through the National Response Unit—
(A) shall compile and maintain a comprehensive computer list of spill removal resources, personnel, and equipment that is available worldwide and within the areas designated by the President pursuant to paragraph (4), and of information regarding previous spills, including data from universities, research institutions, State governments, and other nations, as appropriate, which shall be disseminated as appropriate to response groups and area committees, and which shall be available to Federal and State agencies and the public;
(B) shall provide technical assistance, equipment, and other resources requested by a Federal On-Scene Coordinator;
(C) shall coordinate use of private and public personnel and equipment to remove a worst case discharge, and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such a discharge, from a vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility operating in or near an area designated by the President pursuant to paragraph (4);
(D) may provide technical assistance in the preparation of Area Contingency Plans required under paragraph (4);
(E) shall administer Coast Guard strike teams established under the National Contingency Plan;
(F) shall maintain on file all Area Contingency Plans approved by the President under this subsection; and
(G) shall review each of those plans that affects its responsibilities under this subsection.
(3) Coast Guard District Response Groups
(A) The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish in each Coast Guard district a Coast Guard District Response Group.
(B) Each Coast Guard District Response Group shall consist of—
(i) the Coast Guard personnel and equipment, including firefighting equipment, of each port within the district;
(ii) additional prepositioned equipment; and
(iii) a district response advisory staff.
(C) Coast Guard district response groups—
(i) shall provide technical assistance, equipment, and other resources when required by a Federal On-Scene Coordinator;
(ii) shall maintain all Coast Guard response equipment within its district;
(iii) may provide technical assistance in the preparation of Area Contingency Plans required under paragraph (4); and
(iv) shall review each of those plans that affect its area of geographic responsibility.
(4) Area Committees and Area Contingency Plans
(A) There is established for each area designated by the President an Area Committee comprised of members appointed by the President from qualified—
(i) personnel of Federal, State, and local agencies; and
(ii) members of federally recognized Indian tribes, where applicable.
(B) Each Area Committee, under the direction of the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for its area, shall—
(i) prepare for its area the Area Contingency Plan required under subparagraph (C);
(ii) work with State, local, and tribal officials to enhance the contingency planning of those officials and to assure preplanning of joint response efforts, including appropriate procedures for mechanical recovery, dispersal, shoreline cleanup, protection of sensitive environmental areas, and protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of fisheries and wildlife, including advance planning with respect to the closing and reopening of fishing areas following a discharge; and
(iii) work with State, local, and tribal officials to expedite decisions for the use of dispersants and other mitigating substances and devices.
(C) Each Area Committee shall prepare and submit to the President for approval an Area Contingency Plan for its area. The Area Contingency Plan shall—
(i) when implemented in conjunction with the National Contingency Plan, be adequate to remove a worst case discharge, and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such a discharge, from a vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility operating in or near the area;
(ii) describe the area covered by the plan, including the areas of special economic or environmental importance that might be damaged by a discharge;
(iii) describe in detail the responsibilities of an owner or operator and of Federal, State, and local agencies in removing a discharge, and in mitigating or preventing a substantial threat of a discharge;
(iv) list the equipment (including firefighting equipment), dispersants or other mitigating substances and devices, and personnel available to an owner or operator, Federal, State, and local agencies, and tribal governments, to ensure an effective and immediate removal of a discharge, and to ensure mitigation or prevention of a substantial threat of a discharge;
(v) compile a list of local scientists, both inside and outside Federal Government service, with expertise in the environmental effects of spills of the types of oil typically transported in the area, who may be contacted to provide information or, where appropriate, participate in meetings of the scientific support team convened in response to a spill, and describe the procedures to be followed for obtaining an expedited decision regarding the use of dispersants;
(vi) describe in detail how the plan is integrated into other Area Contingency Plans and vessel, offshore facility, and onshore facility response plans approved under this subsection, and into operating procedures of the National Response Unit;
(vii) include a framework for advance planning and decisionmaking with respect to the closing and reopening of fishing areas following a discharge, including protocols and standards for the closing and reopening of fishing areas;
(viii) include any other information the President requires; and
(ix) be updated periodically by the Area Committee.
(D) The President shall—
(i) review and approve Area Contingency Plans under this paragraph; and
(ii) periodically review Area Contingency Plans so approved.
(5) Tank vessel, nontank vessel, and facility response plans
(A)
(i) The President shall issue regulations which require an owner or operator of a tank vessel or facility described in subparagraph (C) to prepare and submit to the President a plan for responding, to the maximum extent practicable, to a worst case discharge, and to a substantial threat of such a discharge, of oil or a hazardous substance.
(ii) The President shall also issue regulations which require an owner or operator of a nontank vessel to prepare and submit to the President a plan for responding, to the maximum extent practicable, to a worst case discharge, and to a substantial threat of such a discharge, of oil.
(B) The Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue regulations which require an owner or operator of a tank vessel, a nontank vessel, or a facility described in subparagraph (C) that transfers noxious liquid substances in bulk to or from a vessel to prepare and submit to the Secretary a plan for responding, to the maximum extent practicable, to a worst case discharge, and to a substantial threat of such a discharge, of a noxious liquid substance that is not designated as a hazardous substance or regulated as oil in any other law or regulation. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “noxious liquid substance” has the same meaning when that term is used in the MARPOL Protocol described in section 1901(a)(3) 2 of this title.
(C) The tank vessels, nontank vessels, and facilities referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) are the following:
(i) A tank vessel, as defined under section 2101 of title 46.
(ii) A nontank vessel.
(iii) An offshore facility.
(iv) An onshore facility that, because of its location, could reasonably be expected to cause substantial harm to the environment by discharging into or on the navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, or the exclusive economic zone.
(D) A response plan required under this paragraph shall—
(i) be consistent with the requirements of the National Contingency Plan and Area Contingency Plans;
(ii) identify the qualified individual having full authority to implement removal actions, and require immediate communications between that individual and the appropriate Federal official and the persons providing personnel and equipment pursuant to clause (iii);
(iii) identify, and ensure by contract or other means approved by the President the availability of, private personnel and equipment necessary to remove to the maximum extent practicable a worst case discharge (including a discharge resulting from fire or explosion), and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such a discharge;
(iv) describe the training, equipment testing, periodic unannounced drills, and response actions of persons on the vessel or at the facility, to be carried out under the plan to ensure the safety of the vessel or facility and to mitigate or prevent the discharge, or the substantial threat of a discharge;
(v) be updated periodically; and
(vi) be resubmitted for approval of each significant change.
(E) With respect to any response plan submitted under this paragraph for an onshore facility that, because of its location, could reasonably be expected to cause significant and substantial harm to the environment by discharging into or on the navigable waters or adjoining shorelines or the exclusive economic zone, and with respect to each response plan submitted under this paragraph for a tank vessel, nontank vessel, or offshore facility, the President shall—
(i) promptly review such response plan;
(ii) require amendments to any plan that does not meet the requirements of this paragraph;
(iii) approve any plan that meets the requirements of this paragraph;
(iv) review each plan periodically thereafter; and
(v) in the case of a plan for a nontank vessel, consider any applicable State-mandated response plan in effect on August 9, 2004, and ensure consistency to the extent practicable.
(F) A tank vessel, nontank vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility required to prepare a response plan under this subsection may not handle, store, or transport oil unless—
(i) in the case of a tank vessel, nontank vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility for which a response plan is reviewed by the President under subparagraph (E), the plan has been approved by the President; and
(ii) the vessel or facility is operating in compliance with the plan.
(G) Notwithstanding subparagraph (E), the President may authorize a tank vessel, nontank vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility to operate without a response plan approved under this paragraph, until not later than 2 years after the date of the submission to the President of a plan for the tank vessel, nontank vessel, or facility, if the owner or operator certifies that the owner or operator has ensured by contract or other means approved by the President the availability of private personnel and equipment necessary to respond, to the maximum extent practicable, to a worst case discharge or a substantial threat of such a discharge.
(H) The owner or operator of a tank vessel, nontank vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility may not claim as a defense to liability under title I of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.] that the owner or operator was acting in accordance with an approved response plan.
(I) The Secretary shall maintain, in the Vessel Identification System established under chapter 125 of title 46, the dates of approval and review of a response plan under this paragraph for each tank vessel and nontank vessel that is a vessel of the United States.
(6) Equipment requirements and inspectionThe President may require—
(A) periodic inspection of containment booms, skimmers, vessels, and other major equipment used to remove discharges; and
(B) vessels operating on navigable waters and carrying oil or a hazardous substance in bulk as cargo, and nontank vessels carrying oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion, to carry appropriate removal equipment that employs the best technology economically feasible and that is compatible with the safe operation of the vessel.
(7) Area drills
(8) United States Government not liable
(9) Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria program
(A) DefinitionsIn this paragraph:
(i) Alternative planning criteria
(ii) Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zone
(iii) Secretary
(iv) Vessel response plan
(v) Western Alaska Captain of the Port Zone
(B) Requirement
(C) Relation to national planning criteria
(D) Establishment of Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria
(i) In generalThe President, acting through the Commandant, in consultation with the Western Alaska Oil Spill Criteria Program Manager selected under section 323 of title 14, shall establish—(I) Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria for a worst case discharge of oil, and a substantial threat of such a discharge, within any part of the area of responsibility of the Western Alaska Captain of the Port Zone or Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zone for which the Secretary has determined that the national planning criteria established pursuant to this subsection are inappropriate for a vessel operating in such area; and(II) standardized submission, review, approval, and compliance verification processes for the Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria established under this clause, including the quantity and frequency of drills and on-site verifications of vessel response plans approved pursuant to such planning criteria.
(ii) Development of subregions(I) Development(II) Limitation
(iii) Assessment(I) In general(II) Consultation(III) Submission
(E) Inclusions
(i) RequirementsThe Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria established under subparagraph (D)(i) shall include planning criteria for the following:(I) Mechanical oil spill response resources that are required to be located within any part of the area of responsibility of the Western Alaska Captain of the Port Zone or the Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zone for which the Secretary has determined that the national planning criteria established pursuant to this subsection are inappropriate for a vessel operating in such area.(II) Response times for mobilization of oil spill response resources and arrival on the scene of a worst case discharge of oil, or substantial threat of such a discharge, occurring within such part of such area.(III) Pre-identified vessels for oil spill response that are capable of operating in the ocean environment.(IV) Ensuring the availability of at least 1 oil spill removal organization that is classified by the Coast Guard and that—(aa) is capable of responding in all operating environments in such part of such area;(bb) controls oil spill response resources of dedicated and nondedicated resources within such part of such area, through ownership, contracts, agreements, or other means approved by the President, sufficient—(AA) to mobilize and sustain a response to a worst case discharge of oil; and(BB) to contain, recover, and temporarily store discharged oil;(cc) has pre-positioned oil spill response resources in strategic locations throughout such part of such area in a manner that ensures the ability to support response personnel, marine operations, air cargo, or other related logistics infrastructure;(dd) has temporary storage capability using both dedicated and non-dedicated assets located within such part of such area;(ee) has non-mechanical oil spill response resources capable of responding to a discharge of persistent oil and a discharge of nonpersistent oil, whether the discharged oil was carried by a vessel as fuel or cargo; and(ff) has wildlife response resources for primary, secondary, and tertiary responses to support carcass collection, sampling, deterrence, rescue, and rehabilitation of birds, sea turtles, marine mammals, fishery resources, and other wildlife.(V) With respect to tank barges carrying nonpersistent oil in bulk as cargo, oil spill response resources that are required to be carried on board.(VI) Specifying a minimum length of time that approval of a vessel response plan under this paragraph is valid.(VII) Managing wildlife protection and rehabilitation, including identified wildlife protection and rehabilitation resources in that area.
(ii) Additional considerationsThe Western Alaska oil spill planning criteria established under subparagraph (D)(i) may include planning criteria for the following:(I) Vessel routing measures consistent with international routing measure deviation protocols.(II) Maintenance of real-time continuous vessel tracking, monitoring, and engagement protocols with the ability to detect and address vessel operation anomalies.
(F) Requirement for approval
(G) Periodic audits
(H) Review of determination
(I) Vessels in Cook Inlet
(J) Savings provisionsNothing in this paragraph affects—
(i) the requirements under this subsection applicable to vessel response plans for vessels operating within the area of responsibility of the Western Alaska Captain of the Port Zone, within Cook Inlet, Alaska;
(ii) the requirements under this subsection applicable to vessel response plans for vessels operating within the area of responsibility of the Prince William Sound Captain of the Port Zone that are subject to section 5005 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2735); or
(iii) the authority of a Federal On-Scene Coordinator to use any available resources when responding to an oil spill.
(k) Repealed. Pub. L. 101–380, title II, § 2002(b)(2), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 507
(l) Administration
(m) Administrative provisions
(1) For vesselsAnyone authorized by the President to enforce the provisions of this section with respect to any vessel may, except as to public vessels—
(A) board and inspect any vessel upon the navigable waters of the United States or the waters of the contiguous zone,
(B) with or without a warrant, arrest any person who in the presence or view of the authorized person violates the provisions of this section or any regulation issued thereunder, and
(C) execute any warrant or other process issued by an officer or court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) For facilities
(A) Recordkeeping
(B) Entry and inspectionWhenever required to carry out the purposes of this section, the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating or an authorized representative of the Administrator or Secretary, upon presentation of appropriate credentials, may—
(i) enter and inspect any facility to which this section applies, including any facility at which any records are required to be maintained under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) at reasonable times, have access to and copy any records, take samples, and inspect any monitoring equipment or methods required under subparagraph (A).
(C) Arrests and execution of warrantsAnyone authorized by the Administrator or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce the provisions of this section with respect to any facility may—
(i) with or without a warrant, arrest any person who violates the provisions of this section or any regulation issued thereunder in the presence or view of the person so authorized; and
(ii) execute any warrant or process issued by an officer or court of competent jurisdiction.
(D) Public access
(n) Jurisdiction
(o) Obligation for damages unaffected; local authority not preempted; existing Federal authority not modified or affected
(1) Nothing in this section shall affect or modify in any way the obligations of any owner or operator of any vessel, or of any owner or operator of any onshore facility or offshore facility to any person or agency under any provision of law for damages to any publicly owned or privately owned property resulting from a discharge of any oil or hazardous substance or from the removal of any such oil or hazardous substance.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preempting any State or political subdivision thereof from imposing any requirement or liability with respect to the discharge of oil or hazardous substance into any waters within such State, or with respect to any removal activities related to such discharge.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting or modifying any other existing authority of any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality, relative to onshore or offshore facilities under this chapter or any other provision of law, or to affect any State or local law not in conflict with this section.
(p) Repealed. Pub. L. 101–380, title II, § 2002(b)(4), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 507
(q) Establishment of maximum limit of liability with respect to onshore or offshore facilities
(r) Liability limitations not to limit liability under other legislation
(s) Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund
(t) Gulf Coast restoration and recovery
(1) State allocation and expenditures
(A) In general
(B) Use of funds
(i) Eligible activities in the Gulf Coast regionSubject to clause (iii), amounts provided to the Gulf Coast States under this subsection may only be used to carry out 1 or more of the following activities in the Gulf Coast region:(I) Restoration and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region.(II) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, and natural resources.(III) Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan, including fisheries monitoring.(IV) Workforce development and job creation.(V) Improvements to or on State parks located in coastal areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.(VI) Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy or ecological resources, including port infrastructure.(VII) Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure.(VIII) Planning assistance.(IX) Administrative costs of complying with this subsection.
(ii) Activities to promote tourism and seafood in the Gulf Coast regionAmounts provided to the Gulf Coast States under this subsection may be used to carry out 1 or more of the following activities:(I) Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast Region, including recreational fishing.(II) Promotion of the consumption of seafood harvested from the Gulf Coast Region.
(iii) Limitation(I) In general(II) Claims for compensation
(C) Coastal political subdivisions
(i) DistributionIn the case of a State where the coastal zone includes the entire State—(I) 75 percent of funding shall be provided directly to the 8 disproportionately affected counties impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; and(II) 25 percent shall be provided directly to nondisproportionately impacted counties within the State.
(ii) Nondisproportionately impacted countiesThe total amounts made available to coastal political subdivisions in the State of Florida under clause (i)(II) shall be distributed according to the following weighted formula:(I) 34 percent based on the weighted average of the population of the county.(II) 33 percent based on the weighted average of the county per capita sales tax collections estimated for fiscal year 2012.(III) 33 percent based on the inverse proportion of the weighted average distance from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig to each of the nearest and farthest points of the shoreline.
(D) Louisiana
(i) In generalOf the total amounts made available to the State of Louisiana under this paragraph:(I) 70 percent shall be provided directly to the State in accordance with this subsection.(II) 30 percent shall be provided directly to parishes in the coastal zone (as defined in section 1453 of title 16) of the State of Louisiana according to the following weighted formula:(aa) 40 percent based on the weighted average of miles of the parish shoreline oiled.(bb) 40 percent based on the weighted average of the population of the parish.(cc) 20 percent based on the weighted average of the land mass of the parish.
(ii) Conditions(I) Land use plan(II) Other conditions
(E) ConditionsAs a condition of receiving amounts from the Trust Fund, a Gulf Coast State, including the entities described in subparagraph (F), or a coastal political subdivision shall—
(i) agree to meet such conditions, including audit requirements, as the Secretary of the Treasury determines necessary to ensure that amounts disbursed from the Trust Fund will be used in accordance with this subsection;
(ii) certify in such form and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury determines necessary that the project or program for which the Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision is requesting amounts—(I) is designed to restore and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, or economy of the Gulf Coast;(II) carries out 1 or more of the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B);(III) was selected based on meaningful input from the public, including broad-based participation from individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations; and(IV) in the case of a natural resource protection or restoration project, is based on the best available science;
(iii) certify that the project or program and the awarding of a contract for the expenditure of amounts received under this paragraph are consistent with the standard procurement rules and regulations governing a comparable project or program in that State, including all applicable competitive bidding and audit requirements; and
(iv) develop and submit a multiyear implementation plan for the use of such amounts, which may include milestones, projected completion of each activity, and a mechanism to evaluate the success of each activity in helping to restore and protect the Gulf Coast region impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
(F) Approval by State entity, task force, or agencyThe following Gulf Coast State entities, task forces, or agencies shall carry out the duties of a Gulf Coast State pursuant to this paragraph:
(i) Alabama(I) In generalIn the State of Alabama, the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council, which shall be comprised of only the following:(aa) The Governor of Alabama, who shall also serve as Chairperson and preside over the meetings of the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council.(bb) The Director of the Alabama State Port Authority, who shall also serve as Vice Chairperson and preside over the meetings of the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council in the absence of the Chairperson.(cc) The Chairman of the Baldwin County Commission.(dd) The President of the Mobile County Commission.(ee) The Mayor of the city of Bayou La Batre.(ff) The Mayor of the town of Dauphin Island.(gg) The Mayor of the city of Fairhope.(hh) The Mayor of the city of Gulf Shores.(ii) The Mayor of the city of Mobile.(jj) The Mayor of the city of Orange Beach.(II) Vote(III) Majority vote(IV) Limitation on administrative expenses
(ii) Louisiana
(iii) Mississippi
(iv) Texas
(G) Compliance with eligible activitiesIf the Secretary of the Treasury determines that an expenditure by a Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision of amounts made available under this subsection does not meet one of the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall make no additional amounts from the Trust Fund available to that Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision until such time as an amount equal to the amount expended for the unauthorized use—
(i) has been deposited by the Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision in the Trust Fund; or
(ii) has been authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury for expenditure by the Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision for a project or program that meets the requirements of this subsection.
(H) Compliance with conditions
(I) Public input
(J) Previously approved projects and programsA Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision shall be considered to have met the conditions of subparagraph (E) for a specific project or program if, before July 6, 2012—
(i) the Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision has established conditions for carrying out projects and programs that are substantively the same as the conditions described in subparagraph (E); and
(ii) the applicable project or program carries out 1 or more of the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B).
(K) Local preference
(L) Unused funds
(M) Judicial review
(N) Cost-sharing
(i) In general
(ii) Effect on other funds
(2) Council establishment and allocation
(A) In general
(B) Council expenditures
(i) In general
(ii) Allocation and expenditure procedures
(iii) Administrative expenses
(C) Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
(i) Establishment
(ii) MembershipThe Council shall consist of the following members, or in the case of a Federal agency, a designee at the level of the Assistant Secretary or the equivalent:(I) The Secretary of the Interior.(II) The Secretary of the Army.(III) The Secretary of Commerce.(IV) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.(V) The Secretary of Agriculture.(VI) The head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.(VII) The Governor of the State of Alabama.(VIII) The Governor of the State of Florida.(IX) The Governor of the State of Louisiana.(X) The Governor of the State of Mississippi.(XI) The Governor of the State of Texas.
(iii) Alternate
(iv) Chairperson
(v) Presidential appointment
(vi) Council actions(I) In generalThe following actions by the Council shall require the affirmative vote of the Chairperson and a majority of the State members to be effective:(aa) Approval of a Comprehensive Plan and future revisions to a Comprehensive Plan.(bb) Approval of State plans pursuant to paragraph (3)(B)(iv).(cc) Approval of reports to Congress pursuant to clause (vii)(VII).(dd) Approval of transfers pursuant to subparagraph (E)(ii)(I).(ee) Other significant actions determined by the Council.(II) Quorum(III) Affirmative vote requirement considered met(IV) Public transparency
(vii) Duties of CouncilThe Council shall—(I) develop the Comprehensive Plan and future revisions to the Comprehensive Plan;(II) identify as soon as practicable the projects that—(aa) have been authorized prior to July 6, 2012, but not yet commenced; and(bb) if implemented quickly, would restore and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, barrier islands, dunes, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region;(III) establish such other 1 or more advisory committees as may be necessary to assist the Council, including a scientific advisory committee and a committee to advise the Council on public policy issues;(IV) collect and consider scientific and other research associated with restoration of the Gulf Coast ecosystem, including research, observation, and monitoring carried out pursuant to sections 1604 and 1605 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012;(V) develop standard terms to include in contracts for projects and programs awarded pursuant to the Comprehensive Plan that provide a preference to individuals and companies that reside in, are headquartered in, or are principally engaged in business in a Gulf Coast State;(VI) prepare an integrated financial plan and recommendations for coordinated budget requests for the amounts proposed to be expended by the Federal agencies represented on the Council for projects and programs in the Gulf Coast States; and(VII) submit to Congress an annual report that—(aa) summarizes the policies, strategies, plans, and activities for addressing the restoration and protection of the Gulf Coast region;(bb) describes the projects and programs being implemented to restore and protect the Gulf Coast region, including—(AA) a list of each project and program;(BB) an identification of the funding provided to projects and programs identified in subitem (AA);(CC) an identification of each recipient for funding identified in subitem (BB); and(DD) a description of the length of time and funding needed to complete the objectives of each project and program identified in subitem (AA);(cc) makes such recommendations to Congress for modifications of existing laws as the Council determines necessary to implement the Comprehensive Plan;(dd) reports on the progress on implementation of each project or program—(AA) after 3 years of ongoing activity of the project or program, if applicable; and(BB) on completion of the project or program;(ee) includes the information required to be submitted under section 1605(c)(4) of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012; and(ff) submits the reports required under item (dd) to—(AA) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and(BB) the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(viii) Application of chapter 10 of title 5
(ix) Sunset
(D) Comprehensive plan
(i) Proposed plan(I) In general(II) Inclusions
(ii) Publication(I) Initial plan(II) Cooperation with Gulf Coast Restoration Task Force(III) Considerations(IV) ContentsThe initial Comprehensive Plan shall include—(aa) such provisions as are necessary to fully incorporate in the Comprehensive Plan the strategy, projects, and programs recommended by the President’s Gulf Coast Restoration Task Force;(bb) a list of any project or program authorized prior to July 6, 2012, but not yet commenced, the completion of which would further the purposes and goals of this subsection and of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012;(cc) a description of the manner in which amounts from the Trust Fund projected to be made available to the Council for the succeeding 10 years will be allocated; and(dd) subject to available funding in accordance with clause (iii), a prioritized list of specific projects and programs to be funded and carried out during the 3-year period immediately following the date of publication of the initial Comprehensive Plan, including a table that illustrates the distribution of projects and programs by the Gulf Coast State.(V) Plan updatesThe Council shall update—(aa) the Comprehensive Plan every 5 years in a manner comparable to the manner established in this subparagraph for each 5-year period for which amounts are expected to be made available to the Gulf Coast States from the Trust Fund; and(bb) the 3-year list of projects and programs described in subclause (IV)(dd) annually.
(iii) Restoration prioritiesExcept for projects and programs described in clause (ii)(IV)(bb), in selecting projects and programs to include on the 3-year list described in clause (ii)(IV)(dd), based on the best available science, the Council shall give highest priority to projects that address 1 or more of the following criteria:(I) Projects that are projected to make the greatest contribution to restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region, without regard to geographic location within the Gulf Coast region.(II) Large-scale projects and programs that are projected to substantially contribute to restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast ecosystem.(III) Projects contained in existing Gulf Coast State comprehensive plans for the restoration and protection of natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region.(IV) Projects that restore long-term resiliency of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands most impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
(E) Implementation
(i) In general
(ii) Administrative responsibility(I) In general(II) Transfer of amounts(III) Limitation on transfers(aa) Grants to nongovernmental entities(bb) Reporting of grantees(cc) Annual reporting of grantees(IV) Project and program limitation
(F) Coordination
(3) Oil spill restoration impact allocation
(A) In general
(i) Disbursement
(ii) FormulaSubject to subparagraph (B), for each Gulf Coast State, the amount disbursed under this paragraph shall be based on a formula established by the Council by regulation that is based on a weighted average of the following criteria:(I) 40 percent based on the proportionate number of miles of shoreline in each Gulf Coast State that experienced oiling on or before April 10, 2011, compared to the total number of miles of shoreline that experienced oiling as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.(II) 40 percent based on the inverse proportion of the average distance from the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon at the time of the explosion to the nearest and farthest point of the shoreline that experienced oiling of each Gulf Coast State.(III) 20 percent based on the average population in the 2010 decennial census of coastal counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico within each Gulf Coast State.
(iii) Minimum allocation
(B) Disbursement of funds
(i) In generalThe Council shall disburse amounts to the respective Gulf Coast States in accordance with the formula developed under subparagraph (A) for projects, programs, and activities that will improve the ecosystems or economy of the Gulf Coast region, subject to the condition that each Gulf Coast State submits a plan for the expenditure of amounts disbursed under this paragraph that meets the following criteria:(I) All projects, programs, and activities included in the plan are eligible activities pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(B).(II) The projects, programs, and activities included in the plan contribute to the overall economic and ecological recovery of the Gulf Coast.(III) The plan takes into consideration the Comprehensive Plan and is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Plan, as described in paragraph (2)(B)(i).
(ii) Funding(I) In general(II) ExceptionThe plan described in clause (i) may propose to use more than 25 percent of the funding made available for infrastructure projects eligible under subclauses (VI) and (VII) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) if the plan certifies that—(aa) ecosystem restoration needs in the State will be addressed by the projects in the proposed plan; and(bb) additional investment in infrastructure is required to mitigate the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to the ecosystem or economy.
(iii) DevelopmentThe plan described in clause (i) shall be developed by—(I) in the State of Alabama, the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council established under paragraph (1)(F)(i);(II) in the State of Florida, a consortia 4
4 So in original. Probably should be “consortium”.
of local political subdivisions that includes at a minimum 1 representative of each affected county;(III) in the State of Louisiana, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana;(IV) in the State of Mississippi, the Office of the Governor or an appointee of the Office of the Governor; and(V) in the State of Texas, the Office of the Governor or an appointee of the Office of the Governor.
(iv) Approval
(C) DisapprovalIf the Council disapproves a plan pursuant to subparagraph (B)(iv), the Council shall—
(i) provide the reasons for disapproval in writing; and
(ii) consult with the State to address any identified deficiencies with the State plan.
(D) Failure to submit adequate plan
(E) Judicial review
(F) Cost-sharing
(i) In generalA Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision may use, in whole or in part, amounts made available to that Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision under this paragraph to satisfy the non-Federal share of any project or program that—(I) is authorized by other Federal law; and(II) is an eligible activity described in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(B).
(ii) Effect on other funds
(4) Authorization of interest transfersOf the total amount made available for any fiscal year from the Trust Fund that is equal to the interest earned by the Trust Fund and proceeds from investments made by the Trust Fund in the preceding fiscal year—
(A) 50 percent shall be divided equally between—
(i) the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology program authorized in section 1604 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012; and
(ii) the centers of excellence research grants authorized in section 1605 of that Act; and
(B) 50 percent shall be made available to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to carry out the Comprehensive Plan pursuant to paragraph (2).
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 311, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 862; amended Pub. L. 93–207, § 1(4), Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 906; Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 57, 58(a)–(g), (i), (k)–(m), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1593–1596; Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b), Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2467; Pub. L. 96–478, § 13(b), Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2303; Pub. L. 96–483, § 8, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2362; Pub. L. 96–561, title II, § 238(b), Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3300; Pub. L. 97–164, title I, § 161(5), Apr. 2, 1982, 96 Stat. 49; Pub. L. 100–4, title V, § 502(b), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 75; Pub. L. 101–380, title II, § 2002(b), title IV, §§ 4201(a), (b), (b)[(c)], 4202(a), (c), 4204, 4301(a), (b), 4305, 4306, Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 507, 523–527, 532, 533, 540, 541; Pub. L. 102–388, title III, § 349, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1554; Pub. L. 102–572, title IX, § 902(b)(1), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4516; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(a) [title II, § 211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009–41; Pub. L. 104–324, title XI, §§ 1143, 1144, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3992; Pub. L. 105–383, title IV, § 411, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3432; Pub. L. 108–293, title VII, § 701(a), (b), (d), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1067, 1068; Pub. L. 109–241, title VI, § 608, title IX, § 901(i), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 558, 564; Pub. L. 112–90, § 10, Jan. 3, 2012, 125 Stat. 1912; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, § 1603, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 589; Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 313, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3048; Pub. L. 115–91, div. C, title XXXV, § 3508(b)(2), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1916; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, § 3541(b)(5), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2323; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, §§ 11306, 11309(b)(1), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4078, 4081; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(201), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4328.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1321

§ 1321a. Prevention of small oil spills
(a) Prevention and education program
The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating and other appropriate agencies, shall establish an oil spill prevention and education program for small vessels. The program shall provide for assessment, outreach, and training and voluntary compliance activities to prevent and improve the effective response to oil spills from vessels and facilities not required to prepare a vessel response plan under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), including recreational vessels, commercial fishing vessels, marinas, and aquaculture facilities. The Under Secretary may provide grants to sea grant colleges and institutes designated under section 1126 of this title and to State agencies, tribal governments, and other appropriate entities to carry out—
(1) regional assessments to quantify the source, incidence and volume of small oil spills, focusing initially on regions in the country where, in the past 10 years, the incidence of such spills is estimated to be the highest;
(2) voluntary, incentive-based clean marina programs that encourage marina operators, recreational boaters, and small commercial vessel operators to engage in environmentally sound operating and maintenance procedures and best management practices to prevent or reduce pollution from oil spills and other sources;
(3) cooperative oil spill prevention education programs that promote public understanding of the impacts of spilled oil and provide useful information and techniques to minimize pollution, including methods to remove oil and reduce oil contamination of bilge water, prevent accidental spills during maintenance and refueling and properly cleanup and dispose of oil and hazardous substances; and
(4) support for programs, including outreach and education to address derelict vessels and the threat of such vessels sinking and discharging oil and other hazardous substances, including outreach and education to involve efforts to the owners of such vessels.
(b) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 111–281, title VII, § 705, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2982.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1321a

§ 1321b. Improved coordination with tribal governments
(a) In general
(b) Inclusion of tribal government
The Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall ensure that, as soon as practicable after identifying an oil spill that is likely to have a significant impact on natural or cultural resources owned or directly utilized by a federally recognized Indian tribe, the Coast Guard will—
(1) ensure that representatives of the tribal government of the affected tribes are included as part of the incident command system established by the Coast Guard to respond to the spill;
(2) share information about the oil spill with the tribal government of the affected tribe; and
(3) to the extent practicable, involve tribal governments in deciding how to respond to the spill.
(c) Cooperative arrangements
The Coast Guard may enter into memoranda of agreement and associated protocols with Indian tribal governments in order to establish cooperative arrangements for oil pollution prevention, preparedness, and response. Such memoranda may be entered into prior to the development of the tribal consultation and coordination policy to provide Indian tribes grant and contract assistance. Such memoranda of agreement and associated protocols with Indian tribal governments may include—
(1) arrangements for the assistance of the tribal government to participate in the development of the National Contingency Plan and local Area Contingency Plans to the extent they affect tribal lands, cultural and natural resources;
(2) arrangements for the assistance of the tribal government to develop the capacity to implement the National Contingency Plan and local Area Contingency Plans to the extent they affect tribal lands, cultural and natural resources;
(3) provisions on coordination in the event of a spill, including agreements that representatives of the tribal government will be included as part of the regional response team co-chaired by the Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency to establish policies for responding to oil spills;
(4) arrangements for the Coast Guard to provide training of tribal incident commanders and spill responders for oil spill preparedness and response;
(5) demonstration projects to assist tribal governments in building the capacity to protect tribal treaty rights and trust assets from oil spills; and
(6) such additional measures the Coast Guard determines to be necessary for oil pollution prevention, preparedness, and response.
(d) Funding for tribal participation
(Pub. L. 111–281, title VII, § 706, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2983.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1321b

§ 1321c. International efforts on enforcement

The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall ensure that the Coast Guard pursues stronger enforcement in the International Maritime Organization of agreements related to oil discharges, including joint enforcement operations, training, and stronger compliance mechanisms.

(Pub. L. 111–281, title VII, § 709, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2986.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1321c

§ 1322. Marine sanitation devices; discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels
(a) DefinitionsIn this section, the term—
(1) “new vessel” includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on the navigable waters, the construction of which is initiated after promulgation of standards and regulations under this section;
(2) “existing vessel” includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on the navigable waters, the construction of which is initiated before promulgation of standards and regulations under this section;
(3) “public vessel” means a vessel owned or bareboat chartered and operated by the United States, by a State or political subdivision thereof, or by a foreign nation, except when such vessel is engaged in commerce;
(4) “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;
(5) “marine sanitation device” includes any equipment for installation on board a vessel which is designed to receive, retain, treat, or discharge sewage, and any process to treat such sewage;
(6) “sewage” means human body wastes and the wastes from toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain body wastes except that, with respect to commercial vessels on the Great Lakes, such term shall include graywater;
(7) “manufacturer” means any person engaged in the manufacturing, assembling, or importation of marine sanitation devices, marine pollution control device equipment, or vessels subject to standards and regulations promulgated under this section;
(8) “person” means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or agency of the United States, but does not include an individual on board a public vessel;
(9) “discharge” includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping;
(10) “commercial vessels” means those vessels used in the business of transporting property for compensation or hire, or in transporting property in the business of the owner, lessee, or operator of the vessel;
(11) “graywater” means galley, bath, and shower water;
(12) “discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel”—
(A) means a discharge, including—
(i) graywater, bilge water, 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, preservative, or absorptive application to the hull of the vessel; and
(ii) a discharge in connection with the testing, maintenance, and repair of a system described in clause (i) whenever the vessel is waterborne; and
(B) does not include—
(i) a discharge of rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such material discharged overboard;
(ii) an air emission resulting from the operation of a vessel propulsion system, motor driven equipment, or incinerator; or
(iii) a discharge that is not covered by part 122.3 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on February 10, 1996);
(13) “marine pollution control device” means, except as provided in subsection (p), any equipment or management practice, for installation or use on board a vessel of the Armed Forces, that is—
(A) designed to receive, retain, treat, control, or discharge a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel; and
(B) determined by the Administrator and the Secretary of Defense to be the most effective equipment or management practice to reduce the environmental impacts of the discharge consistent with the considerations set forth in subsection (n)(2)(B); and
(14) “vessel of the Armed Forces” means—
(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 described in subparagraph (A).
(b) Federal standards of performance
(1) As soon as possible, after October 18, 1972, and subject to the provisions of section 1254(j) of this title, the Administrator, after consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, after giving appropriate consideration to the economic costs involved, and within the limits of available technology, shall promulgate Federal standards of performance for marine sanitation devices (hereafter in this section referred to as “standards”) which shall be designed to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage into or upon the navigable waters from new vessels and existing vessels, except vessels not equipped with installed toilet facilities. Such standards and standards established under subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section shall be consistent with maritime safety and the marine and navigation laws and regulations and shall be coordinated with the regulations issued under this subsection by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall promulgate regulations, which are consistent with standards promulgated under this subsection and subsection (c) of this section and with maritime safety and the marine and navigation laws and regulations governing the design, construction, installation, and operation of any marine sanitation device on board such vessels.
(2) Any existing vessel equipped with a marine sanitation device on the date of promulgation of initial standards and regulations under this section, which device is in compliance with such initial standards and regulations, shall be deemed in compliance with this section until such time as the device is replaced or is found not to be in compliance with such initial standards and regulations.
(c) Initial standards; effective dates; revision; waiver
(1)
(A) Initial standards and regulations under this section shall become effective for new vessels two years after promulgation; and for existing vessels five years after promulgation. Revisions of standards and regulations shall be effective upon promulgation, unless another effective date is specified, except that no revision shall take effect before the effective date of the standard or regulation being revised.
(B) The Administrator shall, with respect to commercial vessels on the Great Lakes, establish standards which require at a minimum the equivalent of secondary treatment as defined under section 1314(d) of this title. Such standards and regulations shall take effect for existing vessels after such time as the Administrator determines to be reasonable for the upgrading of marine sanitation devices to attain such standard.
(2) The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating with regard to his regulatory authority established by this section, after consultation with the Administrator, may distinguish among classes, type, and sizes of vessels as well as between new and existing vessels, and may waive applicability of standards and regulations as necessary or appropriate for such classes, types, and sizes of vessels (including existing vessels equipped with marine sanitation devices on the date of promulgation of the initial standards required by this section), and, upon application, for individual vessels.
(d) Vessels owned and operated by the United States
(e) Pre-promulgation consultation
(f) Regulation by States or political subdivisions thereof; complete prohibition upon discharge of sewage
(1)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), after the effective date of the initial standards and regulations promulgated under this section, no State or political subdivision thereof shall adopt or enforce any statute or regulation of such State or political subdivision with respect to the design, manufacture, or installation or use of any marine sanitation device on any vessel subject to the provisions of this section.
(B) A State may adopt and enforce a statute or regulation with respect to the design, manufacture, or installation or use of any marine sanitation device on a houseboat, if such statute or regulation is more stringent than the standards and regulations promulgated under this section. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “houseboat” means a vessel which, for a period of time determined by the State in which the vessel is located, is used primarily as a residence and is not used primarily as a means of transportation.
(2) If, after promulgation of the initial standards and regulations and prior to their effective date, a vessel is equipped with a marine sanitation device in compliance with such standards and regulations and the installation and operation of such device is in accordance with such standards and regulations, such standards and regulations shall, for the purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, become effective with respect to such vessel on the date of such compliance.
(3) After the effective date of the initial standards and regulations promulgated under this section, if any State determines that the protection and enhancement of the quality of some or all of the waters within such State require greater environmental protection, such State may completely prohibit the discharge from all vessels of any sewage, whether treated or not, into such waters, except that no such prohibition shall apply until the Administrator determines that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for such water to which such prohibition would apply. Upon application of the State, the Administrator shall make such determination within 90 days of the date of such application.
(4)
(A) If the Administrator determines upon application by a State that the protection and enhancement of the quality of specified waters within such State requires such a prohibition, he shall by regulation completely prohibit the discharge from a vessel of any sewage (whether treated or not) into such waters.
(B) Upon application by a State, the Administrator shall, by regulation, establish a drinking water intake zone in any waters within such State and prohibit the discharge of sewage from vessels within that zone.
(g) Sales limited to certified devices; certification of test device; recordkeeping; reports
(1) No manufacturer of a marine sanitation device or marine pollution control device equipment shall sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, or import into the United States for sale or resale any marine sanitation device or marine pollution control device equipment manufactured after the effective date of the standards and regulations promulgated under this section unless such device or equipment is in all material respects substantially the same as a test device or equipment certified under this subsection.
(2) Upon application of the manufacturer, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall so certify a marine sanitation device or marine pollution control device equipment if he determines, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, that it meets the appropriate standards and regulations promulgated under this section. The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall test or require such testing of the device or equipment in accordance with procedures set forth by the Administrator as to standards of performance and for such other purposes as may be appropriate. If the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating determines that the device or equipment is satisfactory from the standpoint of safety and any other requirements of maritime law or regulation, and after consideration of the design, installation, operation, material, or other appropriate factors, he shall certify the device or equipment. Any device or equipment manufactured by such manufacturer which is in all material respects substantially the same as the certified test device or equipment shall be deemed to be in conformity with the appropriate standards and regulations established under this section.
(3) Every manufacturer shall establish and maintain such records, make such reports, and provide such information as the Administrator or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may reasonably require to enable him to determine whether such manufacturer has acted or is acting in compliance with this section and regulations issued thereunder and shall, upon request of an officer or employee duly designated by the Administrator or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, permit such officer or employee at reasonable times to have access to and copy such records. All information reported to or otherwise obtained by the Administrator or the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating or their representatives pursuant to this subsection which contains or relates to a trade secret or other matter referred to in section 1905 of title 18 shall be considered confidential for the purpose of that section, except that such information may be disclosed to other officers or employees concerned with carrying out this section. This paragraph shall not apply in the case of the construction of a vessel by an individual for his own use.
(h) Sale and resale of properly equipped vessels; operability of certified marine sanitation devices
(1) In generalSubject to paragraph (2), after the effective date of standards and regulations promulgated under this section, it shall be unlawful—
(A) for the manufacturer of any vessel subject to such standards and regulations to manufacture for sale, to sell or offer for sale, or to distribute for sale or resale any such vessel unless it is equipped with a marine sanitation device and marine pollution control device equipment which is in all material respects substantially the same as the appropriate test device certified pursuant to this section;
(B) for any person, prior to the sale or delivery of a vessel subject to such standards and regulations to the ultimate purchaser, wrongfully to remove or render inoperative any certified marine sanitation device or element of design of such device or any certified marine pollution control device equipment or element of design of such equipment installed in such vessel;
(C) for any person to fail or refuse to permit access to or copying of records or to fail to make reports or provide information required under this section; and
(D) for a vessel subject to such standards and regulations to operate on the navigable waters of the United States, if such vessel is not equipped with an operable marine sanitation device certified pursuant to this section.
(2) Effect of subsection
(i) Jurisdiction to restrain violations; contempts
(j) Penalties
(k) Enforcement authority
(1) Administrator
(2) Secretary
(A) In general
(B) InspectionsFor purposes of ensuring compliance with this section, the Secretary—
(i) may carry out an inspection (including the taking of ballast water samples) of any vessel at any time; and
(ii) shall—(I) establish procedures for—(aa) reporting violations of this section; and(bb) accumulating evidence regarding those violations; and(II) use appropriate and practicable measures of detection and environmental monitoring of vessels.
(C) DetentionThe Secretary may detain a vessel if the Secretary—
(i) has reasonable cause to believe that the vessel—(I) has failed to comply with an applicable requirement of this section; or(II) is being operated in violation of such a requirement; and
(ii) the Secretary provides to the owner or operator of the vessel a notice of the intent to detain.
(3) States
(A) In general
(B) JurisdictionThe appropriate Federal district court shall have jurisdiction with respect to a civil action filed pursuant to subparagraph (A), without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties—
(i) to enforce the requirements of this section; and
(ii) to apply appropriate civil penalties under this section or section 1319(d) of this title, as appropriate.
(l) Boarding and inspection of vessels; execution of warrants and other process
(m) Enforcement in United States possessions
(n) Uniform national discharge standards for vessels of Armed Forces
(1) Applicability
(2) Determination of discharges required to be controlled by marine pollution control devices
(A) In general
(B) ConsiderationsIn making a determination under subparagraph (A), the Administrator and the Secretary of Defense shall take into consideration—
(i) the nature of the discharge;
(ii) the environmental effects of the discharge;
(iii) the practicability of using the marine pollution control device;
(iv) the effect that installation or use of the marine pollution control device would have on the operation or operational capability of the vessel;
(v) applicable United States law;
(vi) applicable international standards; and
(vii) the economic costs of the installation and use of the marine pollution control device.
(3) Performance standards for marine pollution control devices
(A) In general
(B) Considerations
(C) Classes, types, and sizes of vesselsThe standards promulgated under this paragraph may—
(i) distinguish among classes, types, and sizes of vessels;
(ii) distinguish between new and existing vessels; and
(iii) provide for a waiver of the applicability of the standards as necessary or appropriate to a particular class, type, age, or size of vessel.
(4) Regulations for use of marine pollution control devices
(5) Deadlines; effective date
(A) DeterminationsThe Administrator and the Secretary of Defense shall—
(i) make the initial determinations under paragraph (2) not later than 2 years after February 10, 1996; and
(ii) every 5 years—(I) review the determinations; and(II) if necessary, revise the determinations based on significant new information.
(B) StandardsThe Administrator and the Secretary of Defense shall—
(i) promulgate standards of performance for a marine pollution control device under paragraph (3) not later than 2 years after the date of a determination under paragraph (2) that the marine pollution control device is required; and
(ii) every 5 years—(I) review the standards; and(II) if necessary, revise the standards, consistent with paragraph (3)(B) and based on significant new information.
(C) Regulations
(D) Petition for review
(6) Effect on other laws
(A) Prohibition on regulation by States or political subdivisions of StatesBeginning on the effective date of—
(i) a determination under paragraph (2) 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 a vessel of the Armed Forces; or
(ii) regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Defense under paragraph (4);
except as provided in paragraph (7), neither a State nor a political subdivision of a State may adopt or enforce any statute or regulation of the State or political subdivision with respect to the discharge or the design, construction, installation, or use of any marine pollution control device required to control discharges from a vessel of the Armed Forces.
(B) Federal laws
(7) Establishment of State no-discharge zones
(A) State prohibition
(i) In generalAfter the effective date of—(I) a determination under paragraph (2) 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 a vessel of the Armed Forces; or(II) regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Defense under paragraph (4);
 if a State determines that the protection and enhancement of the quality of some or all of the waters within the State require greater environmental protection, the State may prohibit 1 or more discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, whether treated or not treated, into the waters. No prohibition shall apply until the Administrator makes the determinations described in subclauses (II) and (III) of subparagraph (B)(i).
(ii) Documentation
(B) Prohibition by the Administrator
(i) In generalUpon application of a State, the Administrator shall by regulation prohibit the discharge from a vessel of 1 or more discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, whether treated or not treated, into the waters covered by the application if the Administrator determines that—(I) the protection and enhancement of the quality of the specified waters within the State require a prohibition of the discharge into the waters;(II) adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel are reasonably available for the waters to which the prohibition would apply; and(III) 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.
(ii) Approval or disapproval
(C) Applicability to foreign flagged vesselsA prohibition under this paragraph—
(i) shall not impose any design, construction, manning, or equipment standard on a foreign flagged vessel engaged in innocent passage unless the prohibition implements a generally accepted international rule or standard; and
(ii) that relates to the prevention, reduction, and control of pollution shall not apply to a foreign flagged vessel engaged in transit passage unless the prohibition implements an applicable international regulation regarding the discharge of oil, oily waste, or any other noxious substance into the waters.
(8) Prohibition relating to vessels of the Armed ForcesAfter the effective date of the regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Defense under paragraph (4), it shall be unlawful for any vessel of the Armed Forces subject to the regulations to—
(A) operate in the navigable waters of the United States or the waters of the contiguous zone, if the vessel is not equipped with any required marine pollution control device meeting standards established under this subsection; or
(B) discharge overboard any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel in waters with respect to which a prohibition on the discharge has been established under paragraph (7).
(9) Enforcement
(o) Management practices for recreational vessels
(1) ApplicabilityThis subsection applies to any discharge, other than a discharge of sewage, from a recreational vessel that is—
(A) incidental to the normal operation of the vessel; and
(B) exempt from permitting requirements under section 1342(r) of this title.
(2) Determination of discharges subject to management practices
(A) Determination
(i) In general
(ii) Promulgation
(iii) Management practices
(B) ConsiderationsIn making a determination under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall consider—
(i) the nature of the discharge;
(ii) the environmental effects of the discharge;
(iii) the practicability of using a management practice;
(iv) the effect that the use of a management practice would have on the operation, operational capability, or safety of the vessel;
(v) applicable Federal and State law;
(vi) applicable international standards; and
(vii) the economic costs of the use of the management practice.
(C) TimingThe Administrator shall—
(i) make the initial determinations under subparagraph (A) not later than 1 year after July 29, 2008; and
(ii) every 5 years thereafter—(I) review the determinations; and(II) if necessary, revise the determinations based on any new information available to the Administrator.
(3) Performance standards for management practices
(A) In general
(B) Considerations
(C) Classes, types, and sizes of vesselsThe standards promulgated under this paragraph may—
(i) distinguish among classes, types, and sizes of vessels;
(ii) distinguish between new and existing vessels; and
(iii) provide for a waiver of the applicability of the standards as necessary or appropriate to a particular class, type, age, or size of vessel.
(D) TimingThe Administrator shall—
(i) promulgate standards of performance for a management practice under subparagraph (A) not later than 1 year after the date of a determination under paragraph (2) that the management practice is reasonable and practicable; and
(ii) every 5 years thereafter—(I) review the standards; and(II) if necessary, revise the standards, in accordance with subparagraph (B) and based on any new information available to the Administrator.
(4) Regulations for the use of management practices
(A) In general
(B) Regulations
(i) In general
(ii) Effective date
(iii) Consideration of time
(5) Effect of other laws
(6) Prohibition relating to recreational vessels
(p) Uniform national standards for discharges incidental to normal operation of vessels
(1) DefinitionsIn this subsection:
(A) Aquatic nuisance speciesThe term “aquatic nuisance species” means a nonindigenous species that threatens—
(i) the diversity or abundance of a native species;
(ii) the ecological stability of—(I) waters of the United States; or(II) waters of the contiguous zone; or
(iii) a commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activity that is dependent on—(I) waters of the United States; or(II) waters of the contiguous zone.
(B) Ballast water
(i) In generalThe term “ballast water” means any water, suspended matter, and other materials taken onboard a vessel—(I) to control or maintain trim, draught, stability, or stresses of the vessel, regardless of the means by which any such water or suspended matter is carried; or(II) during the cleaning, maintenance, or other operation of a ballast tank or ballast water management system of the vessel.
(ii) Exclusion
(C) Ballast water discharge standardThe term “ballast water discharge standard” means—
(i) the numerical ballast water discharge standard established by section 151.1511 or 151.2030 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); or
(ii) if a standard referred to in clause (i) is superseded by a numerical standard of performance under this subsection, that superseding standard.
(D) Ballast water exchangeThe term “ballast water exchange” means the replacement of water in a ballast water tank using 1 of the following methods:
(i) Flow-through exchange, in which ballast water is flushed out by pumping in midocean water at the bottom of the tank if practicable, and continuously overflowing the tank from the top, until 3 full volumes of water have been changed to minimize the number of original organisms remaining in the tank.
(ii) Empty and refill exchange, in which ballast water taken on in ports, estuarine waters, or territorial waters is pumped out until the pump loses suction, after which the ballast tank is refilled with midocean water.
(E) Ballast water management systemThe term “ballast water management system” means any marine pollution control device (including all ballast water treatment equipment, ballast tanks, pipes, pumps, and all associated control and monitoring equipment) that processes ballast water—
(i) to kill, render nonviable, or remove organisms; or
(ii) to avoid the uptake or discharge of organisms.
(F) Best available technology economically achievableThe term “best available technology economically achievable” means—
(i) best available technology economically achievable (within the meaning of section 1311(b)(2)(A) of this title);
(ii) best available technology (within the meaning of section 1314(b)(2)(B) of this title); and
(iii) best available technology, as determined in accordance with section 125.3(d)(3) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
(G) Best conventional pollutant control technologyThe term “best conventional pollutant control technology” means—
(i) best conventional pollutant control technology (within the meaning of section 1311(b)(2)(E) of this title);
(ii) best conventional pollutant control technology (within the meaning of section 1314(b)(4) of this title); and
(iii) best conventional pollutant control technology, as determined in accordance with section 125.3(d)(2) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
(H) Best management practice
(i) In generalThe term “best management practice” means a schedule of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of—(I) the waters of the United States; or(II) the waters of the contiguous zone.
(ii) InclusionsThe term “best management practice” includes any treatment requirement, operating procedure, or practice to control—(I) vessel runoff;(II) spillage or leaks;(III) sludge or waste disposal; or(IV) drainage from raw material storage.
(I) Best practicable control technology currently availableThe term “best practicable control technology currently available” means—
(i) best practicable control technology currently available (within the meaning of section 1311(b)(1)(A) of this title);
(ii) best practicable control technology currently available (within the meaning of section 1314(b)(1) of this title); and
(iii) best practicable control technology currently available, as determined in accordance with section 125.3(d)(1) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
(J) Captain of the Port Zone
(K) Empty ballast tankThe term “empty ballast tank” means a tank that—
(i) has previously held ballast water that has been drained to the limit of the functional or operational capabilities of the tank (such as loss of suction);
(ii) is recorded as empty on a vessel log; and
(iii) contains unpumpable residual ballast water and sediment.
(L) Great Lakes Commission
(M) Great Lakes StateThe term “Great Lakes State” means any of the States of—
(i) Illinois;
(ii) Indiana;
(iii) Michigan;
(iv) Minnesota;
(v) New York;
(vi) Ohio;
(vii) Pennsylvania; and
(viii) Wisconsin.
(N) Great Lakes System
(O) Internal waters
(P) Marine pollution control deviceThe term “marine pollution control device” means any equipment or management practice (or combination of equipment and a management practice), for installation or use onboard a vessel, that is—
(i) designed to receive, retain, treat, control, or discharge a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel; and
(ii) determined by the Administrator and the Secretary to be the most effective equipment or management practice (or combination of equipment and a management practice) to reduce the environmental impacts of the discharge, consistent with the factors for consideration described in paragraphs (4) and (5).
(Q) Nonindigenous species
(R) OrganismThe term “organism” includes—
(i) an animal, including fish and fish eggs and larvae;
(ii) a plant;
(iii) a pathogen;
(iv) a microbe;
(v) a virus;
(vi) a prokaryote (including any archean or bacterium);
(vii) a fungus; and
(viii) a protist.
(S) Pacific Region
(i) In generalThe term “Pacific Region” means any Federal or State water—(I) adjacent to the State of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, or Washington; and(II) extending from shore.
(ii) Inclusion
(T) Port or place of destination
(U) Render nonviable
(V) Saltwater flush
(i) In generalThe term “saltwater flush” means—(I)(aa) the addition of as much midocean water into each empty ballast tank of a vessel as is safe for the vessel and crew; and(bb) the mixing of the flushwater with residual ballast water and sediment through the motion of the vessel; and(II) the discharge of that mixed water, such that the resultant residual water remaining in the tank—(aa) has the highest salinity possible; and(bb) is at least 30 parts per thousand.
(ii) Multiple sequences
(W) Secretary
(X) Small Vessel General Permit
(Y) Small vessel or fishing vesselThe term “small vessel or fishing vessel” means a vessel that is—
(i) less than 79 feet in length; or
(ii) a fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, or fish tender vessel (as those terms are defined in section 2101 of title 46), regardless of the length of the vessel.
(Z) Vessel General Permit
(2) Applicability
(A) In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), this subsection applies to—
(i) any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel; and
(ii) any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel (such as most graywater) that is commingled with sewage, subject to the conditions that—(I) nothing in this subsection prevents a State from regulating sewage discharges; and(II) any such commingled discharge shall comply with all applicable requirements of—(aa) this subsection; and(bb) any law applicable to discharges of sewage.
(B) ExclusionThis subsection does not apply to any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel—
(i) from—(I) a vessel of the Armed Forces subject to subsection (n);(II) a recreational vessel subject to subsection (o);(III) a small vessel or fishing vessel, except that this subsection shall apply to any discharge of ballast water from a small vessel or fishing vessel; or(IV) a floating craft that is permanently moored to a pier, including a “floating” casino, hotel, restaurant, or bar;
(ii) of ballast water from a vessel—(I) that continuously takes on and discharges ballast water in a flow-through system, if the Administrator determines that system cannot materially contribute to the spread or introduction of an aquatic nuisance species into waters of the United States;(II) in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that is scheduled for disposal, if the vessel does not have an operable ballast water management system;(III) that discharges ballast water consisting solely of water taken onboard from a public or commercial source that, at the time the water is taken onboard, meets the applicable requirements or permit requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);(IV) that carries all permanent ballast water in sealed tanks that are not subject to discharge; or(V) that only discharges ballast water into a reception facility; or
(iii) that results from, or contains material derived from, an activity other than the normal operation of the vessel, such as material resulting from an industrial or manufacturing process onboard the vessel.
(3) Continuation in effect of existing requirements
(A) Vessel general permit
(B) Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act regulations
(C) Repeal on existence of final, effective, and enforceable requirements
(4) National standards of performance for marine pollution control devices and water quality orders
(A) Establishment
(i) In general
(ii) Concurrence with Secretary(I) Request(II) Effect of failure to concurA failure by the Secretary to concur with the Administrator under clause (i) by the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Administrator submits a request for concurrence under subclause (I) shall not prevent the Administrator from promulgating the relevant standard of performance in accordance with the deadline under clause (i), subject to the condition that the Administrator shall include in the administrative record of the promulgation—(aa) documentation of the request submitted under subclause (I); and(bb) the response of the Administrator to any written objections received from the Secretary relating to the proposed standard of performance during the 60-day period beginning on the date of submission of the request.
(iii) Consultation with Governors(I) In generalThe Administrator, in promulgating a standard of performance under clause (i), shall develop the standard of performance—(aa) in consultation with interested Governors; and(bb) in accordance with the deadlines under that clause.(II) Process(III) Objection by governors(aa) Submission(bb) Response(cc) Judicial review
(iv) ProcedureThe Administrator shall promulgate the standards of performance under this subparagraph in accordance with—(I) this paragraph; and(II)section 553 of title 5.
(B) Stringency
(i) In generalSubject to clause (iii), the standards of performance promulgated under this paragraph shall require—(I) with respect to conventional pollutants, toxic pollutants, and nonconventional pollutants (including aquatic nuisance species), the application of the best practicable control technology currently available;(II) with respect to conventional pollutants, the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology; and(III) with respect to toxic pollutants and nonconventional pollutants (including aquatic nuisance species), the application of the best available technology economically achievable for categories and classes of vessels, which shall result in reasonable progress toward the national goal of eliminating discharges of all pollutants.
(ii) Best management practicesThe Administrator shall require the use of best management practices to control or abate any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel if—(I) numeric standards of performance are infeasible under clause (i); or(II) the best management practices are reasonably necessary—(aa) to achieve the standards of performance; or(bb) to carry out the purpose and intent of this subsection.
(iii) Minimum requirementsSubject to subparagraph (D)(ii)(II), the combination of any equipment or best management practice comprising a marine pollution control device shall not be less stringent than the following provisions of the Vessel General Permit:(I) All requirements contained in parts 2.1 and 2.2 (relating to effluent limits and related requirements), including with respect to waters subject to Federal protection, in whole or in part, for conservation purposes.(II) All requirements contained in part 5 (relating to vessel class-specific requirements) that concern effluent limits and authorized discharges (within the meaning of that part), including with respect to waters subject to Federal protection, in whole or in part, for conservation purposes.
(C) Classes, types, and sizes of vesselsThe standards promulgated under this paragraph may distinguish—
(i) among classes, types, and sizes of vessels; and
(ii) between new vessels and existing vessels.
(D) Review and revision
(i) In generalNot less frequently than once every 5 years, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, shall—(I) review the standards of performance in effect under this paragraph; and(II) if appropriate, revise those standards of performance—(aa) in accordance with subparagraphs (A) through (C); and(bb) as necessary to establish requirements for any discharge that is subject to regulation under this subsection.
(ii) Maintaining protectiveness(I) In general(II) ExceptionsThe Administrator may revise a standard of performance to be less stringent than an applicable existing requirement—(aa) if information becomes available that—(AA) was not reasonably available when the Administrator promulgated the initial standard of performance or comparable requirement of the Vessel General Permit, as applicable (including the subsequent scarcity or unavailability of materials used to control the relevant discharge); and(BB) would have justified the application of a less-stringent standard of performance at the time of promulgation; or(bb) if the Administrator determines that a material technical mistake or misinterpretation of law occurred when promulgating the existing standard of performance or comparable requirement of the Vessel General Permit, as applicable.
(E) Best management practices for aquatic nuisance species emergencies and further protection of water quality
(i) In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Administrator, in concurrence with the Secretary (subject to clause (ii)), and in consultation with States, may require, by order, the use of an emergency best management practice for any region or category of vessels in any case in which the Administrator determines that such a best management practice—(I) is necessary to reduce the reasonably foreseeable risk of introduction or establishment of an aquatic nuisance species; or(II) will mitigate the adverse effects of a discharge that contributes to a violation of a water quality requirement under section 1313 of this title, other than a requirement based on the presence of an aquatic nuisance species.
(ii) Concurrence with Secretary(I) Request(II) Effect of failure to concurA failure by the Secretary to concur with the Administrator under clause (i) by the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Administrator submits a request for concurrence under subclause (I) shall not prevent the Administrator from issuing the relevant order, subject to the condition that the Administrator shall include in the administrative record of the issuance—(aa) documentation of the request submitted under subclause (I); and(bb) the response of the Administrator to any written objections received from the Secretary relating to the proposed order during the 60-day period beginning on the date of submission of the request.
(iii) Duration
(iv) Extensions
(5) Implementation, compliance, and enforcement requirements
(A) Establishment
(i) In general
(ii) Minimum requirementsSubject to subparagraph (C)(ii)(II), the regulations promulgated under this paragraph shall not be less stringent with respect to ensuring, monitoring, and enforcing compliance than—(I) the requirements contained in part 3 of the Vessel General Permit (relating to corrective actions);(II) the requirements contained in part 4 of the Vessel General Permit (relating to inspections, monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping), including with respect to waters subject to Federal protection, in whole or in part, for conservation purposes;(III) the requirements contained in part 5 of the Vessel General Permit (relating to vessel class-specific requirements) regarding monitoring, inspection, and educational and training requirements (within the meaning of that part), including with respect to waters subject to Federal protection, in whole or in part, for conservation purposes; and(IV) any comparable, existing requirements promulgated under the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) (including section 1101 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 4711) (as in effect on the day before December 4, 2018)) applicable to that discharge.
(iii) Coordination with States
(iv) Effective dateIn determining the effective date of a regulation promulgated under this paragraph, the Secretary shall take into consideration the period of time necessary—(I) to communicate to affected persons the applicability of the regulation; and(II) for affected persons reasonably to comply with the regulation.
(v) ProcedureThe Secretary shall promulgate the regulations under this subparagraph in accordance with—(I) this paragraph; and(II)section 553 of title 5.
(B) Implementation regulations for marine pollution control devices
(C) Compliance assurance
(i) In generalThe Secretary shall promulgate requirements (including requirements for vessel owners and operators with respect to inspections, monitoring, reporting, sampling, and recordkeeping) to ensure, monitor, and enforce compliance with—(I) the standards of performance promulgated by the Administrator under paragraph (4); and(II) the implementation regulations promulgated by the Secretary under subparagraph (B).
(ii) Maintaining protectiveness(I) In general(II) ExceptionsThe Secretary may revise a requirement under this subparagraph or subparagraph (B) to be less stringent than an applicable existing requirement—(aa) in accordance with this subparagraph or subparagraph (B), as applicable;(bb) if information becomes available that—(AA) the Administrator determines was not reasonably available when the Administrator promulgated the existing requirement of the Vessel General Permit, or that the Secretary determines was not reasonably available when the Secretary promulgated the existing requirement under the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) or the applicable existing requirement under this subparagraph, as applicable (including subsequent scarcity or unavailability of materials used to control the relevant discharge); and(BB) would have justified the application of a less-stringent requirement at the time of promulgation; or(cc) if the Administrator determines that a material technical mistake or misinterpretation of law occurred when promulgating an existing requirement of the Vessel General Permit, or if the Secretary determines that a material mistake or misinterpretation of law occurred when promulgating an existing requirement under the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) or this subsection.
(D) Data availability
(6) Additional provisions regarding ballast water
(A) In general
(B) Empty ballast tanks
(i) RequirementsExcept as provided in clause (ii), the owner or operator of a vessel with empty ballast tanks bound for a port or place of destination subject to the jurisdiction of the United States shall, prior to arriving at that port or place of destination, conduct a ballast water exchange or saltwater flush—(I) not less than 200 nautical miles from any shore for a voyage originating outside the United States or Canadian exclusive economic zone; or(II) not less than 50 nautical miles from any shore for a voyage originating within the United States or Canadian exclusive economic zone.
(ii) ExceptionsClause (i) shall not apply—(I) if the unpumpable residual waters and sediments of an empty ballast tank were subject to treatment, in compliance with applicable requirements, through a type-approved ballast water management system approved by the Secretary;(II) except as otherwise required under this subsection, if the unpumpable residual waters and sediments of an empty ballast tank were sourced within—(aa) the same port or place of destination; or(bb) contiguous portions of a single Captain of the Port Zone;(III) if complying with an applicable requirement of clause (i)—(aa) would compromise the safety of the vessel; or(bb) is otherwise prohibited by any Federal, Canadian, or international law (including regulations) pertaining to vessel safety;(IV) if design limitations of the vessel prevent a ballast water exchange or saltwater flush from being conducted in accordance with clause (i); or(V) if the vessel is operating exclusively within the internal waters of the United States or Canada.
(C) Period of use of installed ballast water management systems
(i) In generalExcept as provided in clause (ii), a vessel shall be deemed to be in compliance with a standard of performance for a marine pollution control device that is a ballast water management system if the ballast water management system—(I) is maintained in proper working condition, as determined by the Secretary;(II) is maintained and used in accordance with manufacturer specifications;(III) continues to meet the ballast water discharge standard applicable to the vessel at the time of installation, as determined by the Secretary; and(IV) has in effect a valid type-approval certificate issued by the Secretary.
(ii) LimitationClause (i) shall cease to apply with respect to any vessel on, as applicable—(I) the expiration of the service life, as determined by the Secretary, of—(aa) the ballast water management system; or(bb) the vessel;(II) the completion of a major conversion (as defined in section 2101 of title 46) of the vessel; or(III) a determination by the Secretary that there are other type-approved systems for the vessel or category of vessels, with respect to the use of which the environmental, health, and economic benefits would exceed the costs.
(D) Review of ballast water management system type-approval testing methods
(i) Definition of live; livingNotwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations), for purposes of section 151.1511 of title 33, and part 162 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), the terms “live” and “living” shall not—(I) include an organism that has been rendered nonviable; or(II) preclude the consideration of any method of measuring the concentration of organisms in ballast water that are capable of reproduction.
(ii) Draft policyNot later than 180 days after December 4, 2018, the Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, shall publish a draft policy letter, based on the best available science, describing type-approval testing methods and protocols for ballast water management systems, if any, that—(I) render nonviable organisms in ballast water; and(II) may be used in addition to the methods established under subpart 162.060 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)—(aa) to measure the concentration of organisms in ballast water that are capable of reproduction;(bb) to certify the performance of each ballast water management system under this subsection; and(cc) to certify laboratories to evaluate applicable treatment technologies.
(iii) Public comment
(iv) Final policy(I) In general(II) Method of evaluation(III) Revisions
(v) Factors for considerationIn developing a policy letter under this subparagraph, the Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator—(I) shall take into consideration a testing method that uses organism grow-out and most probable number statistical analysis to determine the concentration of organisms in ballast water that are capable of reproduction; and(II) shall not take into consideration a testing method that relies on a staining method that measures the concentration of—(aa) organisms greater than or equal to 10 micrometers; and(bb) organisms less than or equal to 50 micrometers.
(E) Intergovernmental response framework
(i) In general
(ii) Ballast discharge risk responseThe Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary and taking into consideration information from the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse developed under section 1102(f) of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4712(f)), shall establish a risk assessment and response framework using ballast water discharge data and aquatic nuisance species monitoring data for the purposes of—(I) identifying and tracking populations of aquatic invasive species;(II) evaluating the risk of any aquatic nuisance species population tracked under subclause (I) establishing and spreading in waters of the United States or waters of the contiguous zone; and(III) establishing emergency best management practices that may be deployed rapidly, in a local or regional manner, to respond to emerging aquatic nuisance species threats.
(7) Petitions by Governors for review
(A) In generalThe Governor of a State (or a designee) may submit to the Administrator or the Secretary a petition—
(i) to issue an order under paragraph (4)(E); or
(ii) to review any standard of performance, regulation, or policy promulgated under paragraph (4), (5), or (6), respectively, if there exists new information that could reasonably result in a change to—(I) the standard of performance, regulation, or policy; or(II) a determination on which the standard of performance, regulation, or policy was based.
(B) Inclusion
(C) Determination
(i) TimingThe Administrator or the Secretary, as applicable, shall grant or deny—(I) a petition under subparagraph (A)(i) by not later than the date that is 180 days after the date on which the petition is submitted; and(II) a petition under subparagraph (A)(ii) by not later than the date that is 1 year after the date on which the petition is submitted.
(ii) Effect of grantIf the Administrator or the Secretary determines under clause (i) to grant a petition—(I) in the case of a petition under subparagraph (A)(i), the Administrator shall immediately issue the relevant order under paragraph (4)(E); or(II) in the case of a petition under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Administrator or Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register, by not later than 30 days after the date of that determination, a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the relevant standard, requirement, regulation, or policy under paragraph (4), (5), or (6), as applicable.
(iii) Notice of denial
(iv) ReviewA determination by the Administrator or the Secretary under clause (i) to deny a petition shall be—(I) considered to be a final agency action; and(II) subject to judicial review in accordance with section 1369 of this title, subject to clause (v).
(v) Exceptions(I) Venue(II) Deadline for filing
(8) Prohibition
(A) In generalIt shall be unlawful for any person to violate—
(i) a provision of the Vessel General Permit in force and effect under paragraph (3)(A);
(ii) a regulation promulgated pursuant to section 1101 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4711) (as in effect on the day before December 4, 2018) in force and effect under paragraph (3)(B); or
(iii) an applicable requirement or regulation under this subsection.
(B) Compliance with regulationsEffective beginning on the effective date of a regulation promulgated under paragraph (4), (5), (6), or (10), as applicable, it shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of a vessel subject to the regulation—
(i) to discharge any discharge incidental to the normal operation of the vessel into waters of the United States or waters of the contiguous zone, except in compliance with the regulation; or
(ii) to operate in waters of the United States or waters of the contiguous zone, if the vessel is not equipped with a required marine pollution control device that complies with the requirements established under this subsection, unless—(I) the owner or operator of the vessel denotes in an entry in the official logbook of the vessel that the equipment was not operational; and(II) either—(aa) the applicable discharge was avoided; or(bb) an alternate compliance option approved by the Secretary as meeting the applicable standard was employed.
(C) Affirmative defenseNo person shall be found to be in violation of this paragraph if—
(i) the violation was in the interest of ensuring the safety of life at sea, as determined by the Secretary; and
(ii) the applicable emergency circumstance was not the result of negligence or malfeasance on the part of—(I) the owner or operator of the vessel;(II) the master of the vessel; or(III) the person in charge of the vessel.
(D) Treatment
(E) In rem liability
(F) Revocation of clearance
(9) Effect on other laws
(A) State authority
(i) In general
(ii) Identical or lesser State lawsClause (i) shall not apply to any law, regulation, or other requirement of a State, political subdivision of a State, or interstate agency in effect on or after December 4, 2018—(I) that is identical to a Federal requirement under this subsection applicable to the relevant discharge; or(II) compliance with which would be achieved concurrently in achieving compliance with a Federal requirement under this subsection applicable to the relevant discharge.
(iii) State enforcement of Federal requirements
(iv) Exception for certain fees(I) In general(II) Maximum amount(aa) In generalExcept as provided in item (bb), a State may assess a fee for activities under this clause equal to not more than $1,000 against the owner or operator of a vessel that—(AA) has operated outside of that State; and(BB) arrives at a port or place of destination in the State (excluding movement entirely within a single port or place of destination).(bb) Vessels engaged in coastwise trade(III) Adjustment for inflation(aa) In general(bb) Effect of subclause(cc) Applicability
(v) Alaska graywater
(vi) Preservation of authority
(B) Established regimesExcept as expressly provided in this subsection, nothing in this subsection affects the applicability to a vessel of any other provision of Federal law, including—
(i) this section;
(ii)section 1321 of this title;
(iii) the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.); and
(iv) title X of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (33 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.).
(C) PermittingEffective beginning on December 4, 2018—
(i) the Small Vessel General Permit is repealed; and
(ii) the Administrator, or a State in the case of a permit program approved under section 1342 of this title, shall not require, or in any way modify, a permit under that section for—(I) any discharge that is subject to regulation under this subsection;(II) any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel from a small vessel or fishing vessel, regardless of whether that discharge is subject to regulation under this subsection; or(III) any discharge described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii).
(D) No effect on civil or criminal actionsNothing in this subsection, or any standard, regulation, or requirement established under this subsection, modifies or otherwise affects, preempts, or displaces—
(i) any cause of action; or
(ii) any provision of Federal or State law establishing a remedy for civil relief or criminal penalty.
(E) No effect on certain secretarial authority
(F) No limitation on State inspection authority
(10) Additional regional requirements
(A) Minimum Great Lakes System requirements
(i) In generalExcept as provided in clause (ii), the owner or operator of a vessel entering the St. Lawrence Seaway through the mouth of the St. Lawrence River shall conduct a complete ballast water exchange or saltwater flush—(I) not less than 200 nautical miles from any shore for a voyage originating outside the United States or Canadian exclusive economic zone; or(II) not less than 50 nautical miles from any shore for a voyage originating within the United States or Canadian exclusive economic zone.
(ii) ExceptionsClause (i) shall not apply to a vessel if—(I) complying with an applicable requirement of clause (i)—(aa) would compromise the safety of the vessel; or(bb) is otherwise prohibited by any Federal, Canadian, or international law (including regulations) pertaining to vessel safety;(II) design limitations of the vessel prevent a ballast water exchange from being conducted in accordance with an applicable requirement of clause (i);(III) the vessel—(aa) is certified by the Secretary as having no residual ballast water or sediments onboard; or(bb) retains all ballast water while in waters subject to the requirement; or(IV) empty ballast tanks on the vessel are sealed and certified by the Secretary in a manner that ensures that—(aa) no discharge or uptake occurs; and(bb) any subsequent discharge of ballast water is subject to the requirement.
(B) Enhanced Great Lakes System requirements
(i) Petitions by Governors for proposed enhanced standards and requirements(I) In generalThe Governor of a Great Lakes State (or a State employee designee) may submit a petition in accordance with subclause (II) to propose that other Governors of Great Lakes States endorse an enhanced standard of performance or other requirement with respect to any discharge that—(aa) is subject to regulation under this subsection; and(bb) occurs within the Great Lakes System.(II) SubmissionA Governor shall submit a petition under subclause (I), in writing, to—(aa) the Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Great Lakes Commission;(bb) the Governor of each other Great Lakes State; and(cc) the Director of the Great Lakes National Program Office established by section 1268(b) of this title.(III) Preliminary assessment by Great Lakes Commission(aa) In general(bb) ProvisionsThe preliminary assessment developed by the Great Lakes Commission under item (aa)—(AA) may be developed in consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders;(BB) may be narrative in nature;(CC) may include the preliminary views, if any, of the Great Lakes Commission on the propriety of the proposed enhanced standard of performance or other requirement;(DD) shall be submitted, in writing, to the Governor of each Great Lakes State and the Director of the Great Lakes National Program Office and published on the internet website of the Great Lakes National Program Office; and(EE) except as provided in clause (iii), shall not be taken into consideration, or provide a basis for review, by the Administrator or the Secretary for purposes of that clause.
(ii) Proposed enhanced standards and requirements(I) Publication in Federal Register(aa) Request by GovernorNot earlier than the date that is 90 days after the date on which the Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission receives from a Governor of a Great Lakes State a petition under clause (i)(II)(aa), the Governor may request the Director of the Great Lakes National Program Office to publish, for a period requested by the Governor of not less than 30 days, and the Director shall so publish, in the Federal Register for public comment—(AA) a copy of the petition; and(BB) if applicable as of the date of publication, any preliminary assessment of the Great Lakes Commission developed under clause (i)(III) relating to the petition.(bb) Review of public comments(cc) No response required(dd) Purpose(ee) Effect of petition(II) Coordination to develop proposed standard or requirement(III) RequirementsA proposed standard of performance or other requirement under subclause (II)—(aa) shall be developed—(AA) in consultation with representatives from the Federal and provincial governments of Canada;(BB) after notice and opportunity for public comment on the petition published under subclause (I); and(CC) taking into consideration the preliminary assessment, if any, of the Great Lakes Commission under clause (i)(III);(bb) shall be specifically endorsed in writing by—(AA) the Governor of each Great Lakes State, if the proposed standard or requirement would impose any additional equipment requirement on a vessel; or(BB) not fewer than 5 Governors of Great Lakes States, if the proposed standard or requirement would not impose any additional equipment requirement on a vessel; and(cc) in the case of a proposed requirement to prohibit 1 or more types of discharge regulated under this subsection, whether treated or not treated, into waters within the Great Lakes System, shall not apply outside the waters of the Great Lakes States of the Governors endorsing the proposed requirement under item (bb).
(iii) Promulgation by Administrator and Secretary(I) Submission(aa) In general(bb) InclusionEach submission under item (aa) shall include an explanation regarding why the applicable standard of performance or other requirement is—(AA) at least as stringent as a comparable standard of performance or other requirement under this subsection;(BB) in accordance with maritime safety; and(CC) in accordance with applicable maritime and navigation laws and regulations.(cc) Withdrawal (AA) In general (BB) Effect on Federal review(dd) Dissenting opinions(II) Joint noticeOn receipt of a proposed standard of performance or other requirement under subclause (I), the Administrator and the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a joint notice that, at minimum—(aa) states that the proposed standard or requirement is publicly available; and(bb) provides an opportunity for public comment regarding the proposed standard or requirement during the 90-day period beginning on the date of receipt by the Administrator and the Secretary of the proposed standard or requirement.(III) Review(aa) In generalAs soon as practicable after the date of publication of a joint notice under subclause (II)—(AA) the Administrator shall commence a review of each proposed standard of performance or other requirement covered by the notice to determine whether that standard or requirement is at least as stringent as comparable standards and requirements under this subsection; and(BB) the Secretary shall commence a review of each proposed standard of performance or other requirement covered by the notice to determine whether that standard or requirement is in accordance with maritime safety and applicable maritime and navigation laws and regulations.(bb) ConsultationIn carrying out item (aa), the Administrator and the Secretary—(AA) shall consult with the Governor of each Great Lakes State and representatives from the Federal and provincial governments of Canada;(BB) shall take into consideration any relevant data or public comments received under subclause (II)(bb); and(CC) shall not take into consideration any preliminary assessment by the Great Lakes Commission under clause (i)(III), or any dissenting opinion under subclause (I)(dd), except to the extent that such an assessment or opinion is relevant to the criteria for the applicable determination under item (aa).(IV) Approval or disapprovalNot later than 180 days after the date of receipt of each proposed standard of performance or other requirement under subclause (I), the Administrator and the Secretary shall—(aa) determine, as applicable, whether each proposed standard or other requirement satisfies the criteria under subclause (III)(aa);(bb) approve each proposed standard or other requirement, unless the Administrator or the Secretary, as applicable, determines under item (aa) that the proposed standard or other requirement does not satisfy the criteria under subclause (III)(aa); and(cc) submit to the Governor of each Great Lakes State, and publish in the Federal Register, a notice of the determination under item (aa).(V) Action on disapproval(aa) Rationale and recommendationsIf the Administrator and the Secretary disapprove a proposed standard of performance or other requirement under subclause (IV)(bb), the notices under subclause (IV)(cc) shall include—(AA) a description of the reasons why the standard or requirement is, as applicable, less stringent than a comparable standard or requirement under this subsection, inconsistent with maritime safety, or inconsistent with applicable maritime and navigation laws and regulations; and(BB) any recommendations regarding changes the Governors of the Great Lakes States could make to conform the disapproved portion of the standard or requirement to the requirements of this subparagraph.(bb) Review(VI) Action on approvalOn approval by the Administrator and the Secretary of a proposed standard of performance or other requirement under subclause (IV)(bb)—(aa) the Administrator shall establish, by regulation, the proposed standard or requirement within the Great Lakes System in lieu of any comparable standard or other requirement promulgated under paragraph (4); and(bb) the Secretary shall establish, by regulation, any requirements necessary to implement, ensure compliance with, and enforce the standard or requirement under item (aa), or to apply the proposed requirement, within the Great Lakes System in lieu of any comparable requirement promulgated under paragraph (5).(VII) No judicial review for certain actions(VIII) Great Lakes Compact(IX) Authorization of appropriations
(C) Minimum Pacific Region requirements
(i) Definition of commercial vesselIn this subparagraph, the term “commercial vessel” means a vessel operating between—(I) 2 ports or places of destination within the Pacific Region; or(II) a port or place of destination within the Pacific Region and a port or place of destination on the Pacific Coast of Canada or Mexico north of parallel 20 degrees north latitude, inclusive of the Gulf of California.
(ii) Ballast water exchange(I) In general(II) ExemptionsSubclause (I) shall not apply to a commercial vessel—(aa) using, in compliance with applicable requirements, a type-approved ballast water management system approved by the Secretary; or(bb) voyaging—(AA) between or to a port or place of destination in the State of Washington, if the ballast water to be discharged from the commercial vessel originated solely from waters located between the parallel 46 degrees north latitude, including the internal waters of the Columbia River, and the internal waters of Canada south of parallel 50 degrees north latitude, including the waters of the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuca;(BB) between ports or places of destination in the State of Oregon, if the ballast water to be discharged from the commercial vessel originated solely from waters located between the parallel 40 degrees north latitude and the parallel 50 degrees north latitude;(CC) between ports or places of destination in the State of California within the San Francisco Bay area east of the Golden Gate Bridge, including the Port of Stockton and the Port of Sacramento, if the ballast water to be discharged from the commercial vessel originated solely from ports or places within that area;(DD) between the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and the El Segundo offshore marine oil terminal, if the ballast water to be discharged from the commercial vessel originated solely from the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, or the El Segundo offshore marine oil terminal;(EE) between a port or place of destination in the State of Alaska within a single Captain of the Port Zone;(FF) between ports or places of destination in different counties of the State of Hawaii, if the vessel may conduct a complete ballast water exchange in waters that are more than 10 nautical miles from shore and at least 200 meters deep; or(GG) between ports or places of destination within the same county of the State of Hawaii, if the vessel does not transit outside State marine waters during the voyage.
(iii) Low-salinity ballast water(I) In generalExcept as provided in subclause (II) and clause (iv), the owner or operator of a commercial vessel that transports ballast water sourced from waters with a measured salinity of less than 18 parts per thousand and voyages to a Pacific Region port or place of destination with a measured salinity of less than 18 parts per thousand shall conduct a complete ballast water exchange—(aa) not less than 50 nautical miles from shore, if the ballast water was sourced from a Pacific Region port or place of destination; or(bb) more than 200 nautical miles from shore, if the ballast water was not sourced from a Pacific Region port or place of destination.(II) ExceptionSubclause (I) shall not apply to a commercial vessel voyaging to a port or place of destination in the Pacific Region that is using, in compliance with applicable requirements, a type-approved ballast water management system approved by the Secretary to achieve standards of performance of—(aa) less than 1 organism per 10 cubic meters, if that organism—(AA) is living, or has not been rendered nonviable; and(BB) is 50 or more micrometers in minimum dimension;(bb) less than 1 organism per 10 milliliters, if that organism—(AA) is living, or has not been rendered nonviable; and(BB) is more than 10, but less than 50, micrometers in minimum dimension;(cc) concentrations of indicator microbes that are less than—(AA) 1 colony-forming unit of toxicogenic Vibrio cholera (serotypes O1 and O139) per 100 milliliters or less than 1 colony-forming unit of that microbe per gram of wet weight of zoological samples;(BB) 126 colony-forming units of escherichia coli per 100 milliliters; and(CC) 33 colony-forming units of intestinal enterococci per 100 milliliters; and(dd) concentrations of such additional indicator microbes and viruses as may be specified in the standards of performance established by the Administrator under paragraph (4).
(iv) General exceptionsThe requirements of clauses (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to a commercial vessel if—(I) complying with the requirement would compromise the safety of the commercial vessel;(II) design limitations of the commercial vessel prevent a ballast water exchange from being conducted in accordance with clause (ii) or (iii), as applicable;(III) the commercial vessel—(aa) is certified by the Secretary as having no residual ballast water or sediments onboard; or(bb) retains all ballast water while in waters subject to those requirements; or(IV) empty ballast tanks on the commercial vessel are sealed and certified by the Secretary in a manner that ensures that—(aa) no discharge or uptake occurs; and(bb) any subsequent discharge of ballast water is subject to those requirements.
(D) Establishment of State no-discharge zones
(i) State prohibition
(ii) Applicability
(iii) Prohibition by Administrator(I) DeterminationOn application of a State, the Administrator, in concurrence with the Secretary (subject to subclause (II)), shall, by regulation, prohibit the discharge from a vessel of 1 or more discharges subject to regulation under this subsection, whether treated or not treated, into the waters covered by the application if the Administrator determines that—(aa) prohibition of the discharge would protect and enhance the quality of the specified waters within the State;(bb) adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of the discharge are reasonably available for the water and all vessels to which the prohibition would apply;(cc) the discharge can be safely collected and stored until a vessel reaches a discharge facility or other location; and(dd) in the case of an application for the prohibition of discharges of ballast water in a port (or in any other location where cargo, passengers, or fuel are loaded and unloaded)—(AA) the adequate facilities described in item (bb) are reasonably available for commercial vessels, after considering, at a minimum, water depth, dock size, pumpout facility capacity and flow rate, availability of year-round operations, proximity to navigation routes, and the ratio of pumpout facilities to the population and discharge capacity of commercial vessels operating in those waters; and(BB) the prohibition will not unreasonably interfere with the safe loading and unloading of cargo, passengers, or fuel.(II) Concurrence with Secretary(aa) Request(bb) Effect of failure to concurA failure by the Secretary to concur with the Administrator under subclause (I) by the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Administrator submits a request for concurrence under item (aa) shall not prevent the Administrator from prohibiting the relevant discharge in accordance with subclause (III), subject to the condition that the Administrator shall include in the administrative record of the promulgation—(AA) documentation of the request submitted under item (aa); and(BB) the response of the Administrator to any written objections received from the Secretary relating to the proposed standard of performance during the 60-day period beginning on the date of submission of the request.(III) Timing
(E) Maintenance in effect of more-stringent standards
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 312, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 871; amended Pub. L. 95–217, § 59, Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1596; Pub. L. 96–88, title V, § 509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 100–4, title III, § 311, Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 42; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title III, § 325(b)–(c)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 254–259; Pub. L. 110–288, § 4, July 29, 2008, 122 Stat. 2650; Pub. L. 115–282, title IX, § 903(a)(1), (b), (c)(1), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4324, 4354, 4355.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1322

§ 1323. Federal facilities pollution control
(a) Compliance with pollution control requirements by Federal entities
(b) Cooperation with Federal entities and limitation on facility construction
(1) The Administrator shall coordinate with the head of each department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal Government having jurisdiction over any property or facility utilizing federally owned wastewater facilities to develop a program of cooperation for utilizing wastewater control systems utilizing those innovative treatment processes and techniques for which guidelines have been promulgated under section 1314(d)(3) of this title. Such program shall include an inventory of property and facilities which could utilize such processes and techniques.
(2) Construction shall not be initiated for facilities for treatment of wastewater at any Federal property or facility after September 30, 1979, if alternative methods for wastewater treatment at such property or facility utilizing innovative treatment processes and techniques, including but not limited to methods utilizing recycle and reuse techniques and land treatment are not utilized, unless the life cycle cost of the alternative treatment works exceeds the life cycle cost of the most cost effective alternative by more than 15 per centum. The Administrator may waive the application of this paragraph in any case where the Administrator determines it to be in the public interest, or that compliance with this paragraph would interfere with the orderly compliance with conditions of a permit issued pursuant to section 1342 of this title.
(c) Reasonable service charges
(1) In general
For the purposes of this chapter, reasonable service charges described in subsection (a) include any reasonable nondiscriminatory fee, charge, or assessment that is—
(A) based on some fair approximation of the proportionate contribution of the property or facility to stormwater pollution (in terms of quantities of pollutants, or volume or rate of stormwater discharge or runoff from the property or facility); and
(B) used to pay or reimburse the costs associated with any stormwater management program (whether associated with a separate storm sewer system or a sewer system that manages a combination of stormwater and sanitary waste), including the full range of programmatic and structural costs attributable to collecting stormwater, reducing pollutants in stormwater, and reducing the volume and rate of stormwater discharge, regardless of whether that reasonable fee, charge, or assessment is denominated a tax.
(2) Limitation on accounts
(A) Limitation
(B) Reimbursement or payment obligation of Federal Government
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 313, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 875; amended Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 60, 61(a), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1597, 1598; Pub. L. 111–378, § 1, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4128.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1323

§ 1324. Clean lakes
(a) Establishment and scope of program
(1) State program requirements
Each State on a biennial basis shall prepare and submit to the Administrator for his approval—
(A) an identification and classification according to eutrophic condition of all publicly owned lakes in such State;
(B) a description of procedures, processes, and methods (including land use requirements), to control sources of pollution of such lakes;
(C) a description of methods and procedures, in conjunction with appropriate Federal agencies, to restore the quality of such lakes;
(D) methods and procedures to mitigate the harmful effects of high acidity, including innovative methods of neutralizing and restoring buffering capacity of lakes and methods of removing from lakes toxic metals and other toxic substances mobilized by high acidity;
(E) a list and description of those publicly owned lakes in such State for which uses are known to be impaired, including those lakes which are known not to meet applicable water quality standards or which require implementation of control programs to maintain compliance with applicable standards and those lakes in which water quality has deteriorated as a result of high acidity that may reasonably be due to acid deposition; and
(F) an assessment of the status and trends of water quality in lakes in such State, including but not limited to, the nature and extent of pollution loading from point and nonpoint sources and the extent to which the use of lakes is impaired as a result of such pollution, particularly with respect to toxic pollution.
(2) Submission as part of 1315(b)(1) report
(3) Report of Administrator
(4) Eligibility requirement
(b) Financial assistance to States
(c) Maximum amount of grant; authorization of appropriations
(1) The amount granted to any State for any fiscal year under subsection (b) of this section shall not exceed 70 per centum of the funds expended by such State in such year for carrying out approved methods and procedures under subsection (a) of this section.
(2) There is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005 for grants to States under subsection (b) of this section which such sums shall remain available until expended. The Administrator shall provide for an equitable distribution of such sums to the States with approved methods and procedures under subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Demonstration program
(1) General requirements
The Administrator is authorized and directed to establish and conduct at locations throughout the Nation a lake water quality demonstration program. The program shall, at a minimum—
(A) develop cost effective technologies for the control of pollutants to preserve or enhance lake water quality while optimizing multiple lakes uses;
(B) control nonpoint sources of pollution which are contributing to the degradation of water quality in lakes;
(C) evaluate the feasibility of implementing regional consolidated pollution control strategies;
(D) demonstrate environmentally preferred techniques for the removal and disposal of contaminated lake sediments;
(E) develop improved methods for the removal of silt, stumps, aquatic growth, and other obstructions which impair the quality of lakes;
(F) construct and evaluate silt traps and other devices or equipment to prevent or abate the deposit of sediment in lakes; and
(G) demonstrate the costs and benefits of utilizing dredged material from lakes in the reclamation of despoiled land.
(2) Geographical requirements
(3) Reports
(4) Authorization of appropriations
(A) In general
(B) Special authorizations
(i) Amount
(ii) Distribution of funds
(iii) Grants as additional assistance
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 314, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 875; amended Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 4(f), 62(a), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1567, 1598; Pub. L. 96–483, § 1(f), Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2360; Pub. L. 100–4, title I, § 101(g), title III, § 315(a), (b), (d), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 9, 49, 50, 52; Pub. L. 101–596, title III, § 302, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3006; Pub. L. 104–66, title II, § 2021(c), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 727; Pub. L. 105–362, title V, § 501(b), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3283; Pub. L. 106–457, title VII, §§ 701, 702, Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 1976; Pub. L. 107–303, title III, § 302(b)(1), Nov. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 2361.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1324

§ 1325. National Study Commission
(a) Establishment
(b) Membership; chairman
(c) Contract authority
(d) Cooperation of departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of executive branch
(e) Report to Congress
(f) Compensation and allowances
(g) Appointment of personnel
(h) Authorization of appropriation
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 315, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 875; amended Pub. L. 93–207, § 1(5), Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 906; Pub. L. 93–592, § 5, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1925; Pub. L. 94–238, Mar. 23, 1976, 90 Stat. 250; H. Res. 988, Oct. 8, 1974; S. Res. 4, Feb. 4, 1977.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1325

§ 1326. Thermal discharges
(a) Effluent limitations that will assure protection and propagation of balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife
(b) Cooling water intake structures
(c) Period of protection from more stringent effluent limitations following discharge point source modification commenced after October 18, 1972
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 316, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 876; amended Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1326

§ 1327. Omitted

CITE AS: 33 USC 1327

§ 1328. Aquaculture
(a) Authority to permit discharge of specific pollutants
(b) Procedures and guidelines
(c) State administration
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 318, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 877; amended Pub. L. 95–217, § 63, Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1599.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1328

§ 1329. Nonpoint source management programs
(a) State assessment reports
(1) Contents
The Governor of each State shall, after notice and opportunity for public comment, prepare and submit to the Administrator for approval, a report which—
(A) identifies those navigable waters within the State which, without additional action to control nonpoint sources of pollution, cannot reasonably be expected to attain or maintain applicable water quality standards or the goals and requirements of this chapter;
(B) identifies those categories and subcategories of nonpoint sources or, where appropriate, particular nonpoint sources which add significant pollution to each portion of the navigable waters identified under subparagraph (A) in amounts which contribute to such portion not meeting such water quality standards or such goals and requirements;
(C) describes the process, including intergovernmental coordination and public participation, for identifying best management practices and measures to control each category and subcategory of nonpoint sources and, where appropriate, particular nonpoint sources identified under subparagraph (B) and to reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, the level of pollution resulting from such category, subcategory, or source; and
(D) identifies and describes State and local programs for controlling pollution added from nonpoint sources to, and improving the quality of, each such portion of the navigable waters, including but not limited to those programs which are receiving Federal assistance under subsections (h) and (i).
(2) Information used in preparation
(b) State management programs
(1) In general
(2) Specific contents
Each management program proposed for implementation under this subsection shall include each of the following:
(A) An identification of the best management practices and measures which will be undertaken to reduce pollutant loadings resulting from each category, subcategory, or particular nonpoint source designated under paragraph (1)(B), taking into account the impact of the practice on ground water quality.
(B) An identification of programs (including, as appropriate, nonregulatory or regulatory programs for enforcement, technical assistance, financial assistance, education, training, technology transfer, and demonstration projects) to achieve implementation of the best management practices by the categories, subcategories, and particular nonpoint sources designated under subparagraph (A).
(C) A schedule containing annual milestones for (i) utilization of the program implementation methods identified in subparagraph (B), and (ii) implementation of the best management practices identified in subparagraph (A) by the categories, subcategories, or particular nonpoint sources designated under paragraph (1)(B). Such schedule shall provide for utilization of the best management practices at the earliest practicable date.
(D) A certification of the attorney general of the State or States (or the chief attorney of any State water pollution control agency which has independent legal counsel) that the laws of the State or States, as the case may be, provide adequate authority to implement such management program or, if there is not such adequate authority, a list of such additional authorities as will be necessary to implement such management program. A schedule and commitment by the State or States to seek such additional authorities as expeditiously as practicable.
(E) Sources of Federal and other assistance and funding (other than assistance provided under subsections (h) and (i)) which will be available in each of such fiscal years for supporting implementation of such practices and measures and the purposes for which such assistance will be used in each of such fiscal years.
(F) An identification of Federal financial assistance programs and Federal development projects for which the State will review individual assistance applications or development projects for their effect on water quality pursuant to the procedures set forth in Executive Order 12372 as in effect on September 17, 1983, to determine whether such assistance applications or development projects would be consistent with the program prepared under this subsection; for the purposes of this subparagraph, identification shall not be limited to the assistance programs or development projects subject to Executive Order 12372 but may include any programs listed in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance which may have an effect on the purposes and objectives of the State’s nonpoint source pollution management program.
(3) Utilization of local and private experts
(4) Development on watershed basis
(c) Administrative provisions
(1) Cooperation requirement
(2) Time period for submission of reports and management programs
(d) Approval or disapproval of reports and management programs
(1) Deadline
(2) Procedure for disapproval
If, after notice and opportunity for public comment and consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, the Administrator determines that—
(A) the proposed management program or any portion thereof does not meet the requirements of subsection (b)(2) of this section or is not likely to satisfy, in whole or in part, the goals and requirements of this chapter;
(B) adequate authority does not exist, or adequate resources are not available, to implement such program or portion;
(C) the schedule for implementing such program or portion is not sufficiently expeditious; or
(D) the practices and measures proposed in such program or portion are not adequate to reduce the level of pollution in navigable waters in the State resulting from nonpoint sources and to improve the quality of navigable waters in the State;
the Administrator shall within 6 months of the receipt of the proposed program notify the State of any revisions or modifications necessary to obtain approval. The State shall thereupon have an additional 3 months to submit its revised management program and the Administrator shall approve or disapprove such revised program within three months of receipt.
(3) Failure of State to submit report
(e) Local management programs; technical assistance
(f)
(g) Interstate management conference
(1) Convening of conference; notification; purpose
(2) State management program requirement
(h) Grant program
(1) Grants for implementation of management programs
(2) Applications
(3) Federal share
(4) Limitation on grant amounts
(5) Priority for effective mechanisms
For each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1987, the Administrator may give priority in making grants under this subsection, and shall give consideration in determining the Federal share of any such grant, to States which have implemented or are proposing to implement management programs which will—
(A) control particularly difficult or serious nonpoint source pollution problems, including, but not limited to, problems resulting from mining activities;
(B) implement innovative methods or practices for controlling nonpoint sources of pollution, including regulatory programs where the Administrator deems appropriate;
(C) control interstate nonpoint source pollution problems; or
(D) carry out ground water quality protection activities which the Administrator determines are part of a comprehensive nonpoint source pollution control program, including research, planning, ground water assessments, demonstration programs, enforcement, technical assistance, education, and training to protect ground water quality from nonpoint sources of pollution.
(6) Availability for obligation
(7) Limitation on use of funds
(8) Satisfactory progress
(9) Maintenance of effort
(10) Request for information
(11) Reporting and other requirements
(12) Limitation on administrative costs
(i) Grants for protecting groundwater quality
(1) Eligible applicants and activities
(2) Applications
(3) Federal share; maximum amount
(4) Report
(j) Authorization of appropriations
(k) Consistency of other programs and projects with management programs
(l) Collection of information
(m) Reports of Administrator
(1) Annual reports
(2) Final report
Not later than January 1, 1990, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a final report on the activities carried out under this section. Such report, at a minimum, shall—
(A) describe the management programs being implemented by the States by types and amount of affected navigable waters, categories and subcategories of nonpoint sources, and types of best management practices being implemented;
(B) describe the experiences of the States in adhering to schedules and implementing best management practices;
(C) describe the amount and purpose of grants awarded pursuant to subsections (h) and (i) of this section;
(D) identify, to the extent that information is available, the progress made in reducing pollutant loads and improving water quality in the navigable waters;
(E) indicate what further actions need to be taken to attain and maintain in those navigable waters (i) applicable water quality standards, and (ii) the goals and requirements of this chapter;
(F) include recommendations of the Administrator concerning future programs (including enforcement programs) for controlling pollution from nonpoint sources; and
(G) identify the activities and programs of departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States which are inconsistent with the management programs submitted by the States and recommend modifications so that such activities and programs are consistent with and assist the States in implementation of such management programs.
(n) Set aside for administrative personnel
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 319, as added Pub. L. 100–4, title III, § 316(a), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 52; amended Pub. L. 105–362, title V, § 501(c), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3283; Pub. L. 107–303, title III, § 302(b)(1), Nov. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 2361; Pub. L. 117–263, div. H, title LXXXV, § 8502, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3856.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1329

§ 1330. National estuary program
(a) Management conference
(1) Nomination of estuaries
(2) Convening of conference
(A) In general
(B) Priority consideration
(3) Boundary dispute exception
(b) Purposes of conferenceThe purposes of any management conference convened with respect to an estuary under this subsection shall be to—
(1) assess trends in water quality, natural resources, and uses of the estuary;
(2) collect, characterize, and assess data on toxics, nutrients, and natural resources within the estuarine zone to identify the causes of environmental problems;
(3) develop the relationship between the inplace loads and point and nonpoint loadings of pollutants to the estuarine zone and the potential uses of the zone, water quality, and natural resources;
(4) develop a comprehensive conservation and management plan that—
(A) recommends priority corrective actions and compliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint sources of pollution to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the estuary, including restoration and maintenance of water quality, a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in the estuary, and assure that the designated uses of the estuary are protected;
(B) addresses the effects of recurring extreme weather events on the estuary, including the identification and assessment of vulnerabilities in the estuary and the development and implementation of adaptation strategies; and
(C) increases public education and awareness of the ecological health and water quality conditions of the estuary;
(5) develop plans for the coordinated implementation of the plan by the States as well as Federal and local agencies participating in the conference;
(6) monitor the effectiveness of actions taken pursuant to the plan; and
(7) review all Federal financial assistance programs and Federal development projects in accordance with the requirements of Executive Order 12372, as in effect on September 17, 1983, to determine whether such assistance program or project would be consistent with and further the purposes and objectives of the plan prepared under this section.
For purposes of paragraph (7), such programs and projects shall not be limited to the assistance programs and development projects subject to Executive Order 12372, but may include any programs listed in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance which may have an effect on the purposes and objectives of the plan developed under this section.
(c) Members of conferenceThe members of a management conference convened under this section shall include, at a minimum, the Administrator and representatives of—
(1) each State and foreign nation located in whole or in part in the estuarine zone of the estuary for which the conference is convened;
(2) international, interstate, or regional agencies or entities having jurisdiction over all or a significant part of the estuary;
(3) each interested Federal agency, as determined appropriate by the Administrator;
(4) local governments having jurisdiction over any land or water within the estuarine zone, as determined appropriate by the Administrator; and
(5) affected industries, public and private educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the general public, as determined appropriate by the Administrator.
(d) Utilization of existing data
(e) Period of conference
(f) Approval and implementation of plans
(1) Approval
(2) Implementation
(g) Grants
(1) Recipients
(2) Purposes
(3) Federal shareThe Federal share of a grant to any person (including a State, interstate, or regional agency or entity) under this subsection for a fiscal year—
(A) shall not exceed—
(i) 75 percent of the annual aggregate costs of the development of a comprehensive conservation and management plan; and
(ii) 50 percent of the annual aggregate costs of the implementation of the plan; and
(B) shall be made on condition that the non-Federal share of the costs are provided from non-Federal sources.
(4) Competitive awards
(A) In general
(B) Application for awards
(C) Selection of recipientsIn selecting award recipients under this paragraph, the Administrator shall select recipients that are best able to address urgent, emerging, and challenging issues that threaten the ecological and economic well-being of the estuaries selected by the Administrator under subsection (a)(2), or that relate to the coastal resiliency of such estuaries. Such issues shall include—
(i) extensive seagrass habitat losses resulting in significant impacts on fisheries and water quality;
(ii) recurring harmful algae blooms;
(iii) unusual marine mammal mortalities;
(iv) invasive exotic species that may threaten wastewater systems and cause other damage;
(v) jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons;
(vi) stormwater runoff;
(vii) accelerated land loss;
(viii) flooding that may be related to sea level rise, extreme weather, or wetland degradation or loss; and
(ix) low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management.
(h) Grant reporting
(i) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $26,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021, and $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, for—
(A) expenses relating to the administration of grants or awards by the Administrator under this section, including the award and oversight of grants and awards, except that such expenses may not exceed 5 percent of the amount appropriated under this subsection for a fiscal year; and
(B) making grants and awards under subsection (g).
(2) Allocations
(A) Conservation and management plans
(B) Competitive awards
(j) Research
(1) ProgramsIn order to determine the need to convene a management conference under this section or at the request of such a management conference, the Administrator shall coordinate and implement, through the National Marine Pollution Program Office and the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as appropriate, for one or more estuarine zones—
(A) a long-term program of trend assessment monitoring measuring variations in pollutant concentrations, marine ecology, and other physical or biological environmental parameters which may affect estuarine zones, to provide the Administrator the capacity to determine the potential and actual effects of alternative management strategies and measures;
(B) a program of ecosystem assessment assisting in the development of (i) baseline studies which determine the state of estuarine zones and the effects of natural and anthropogenic changes, and (ii) predictive models capable of translating information on specific discharges or general pollutant loadings within estuarine zones into a set of probable effects on such zones;
(C) a comprehensive water quality sampling program for the continuous monitoring of nutrients, chlorine, acid precipitation dissolved oxygen, and potentially toxic pollutants (including organic chemicals and metals) in estuarine zones, after consultation with interested State, local, interstate, or international agencies and review and analysis of all environmental sampling data presently collected from estuarine zones; and
(D) a program of research to identify the movements of nutrients, sediments and pollutants through estuarine zones and the impact of nutrients, sediments, and pollutants on water quality, the ecosystem, and designated or potential uses of the estuarine zones.
(2) ReportsThe Administrator, in cooperation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall submit to the Congress no less often than biennially a comprehensive report on the activities authorized under this subsection including—
(A) a listing of priority monitoring and research needs;
(B) an assessment of the state and health of the Nation’s estuarine zones, to the extent evaluated under this subsection;
(C) a discussion of pollution problems and trends in pollutant concentrations with a direct or indirect effect on water quality, the ecosystem, and designated or potential uses of each estuarine zone, to the extent evaluated under this subsection; and
(D) an evaluation of pollution abatement activities and management measures so far implemented to determine the degree of improvement toward the objectives expressed in subsection (b)(4) of this section.
(k) Definitions
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 320, as added Pub. L. 100–4, title III, § 317(b), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 61; amended Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(f) [title II, 201], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–187, 1329–197; Pub. L. 100–653, title X, § 1004, Nov. 14, 1988, 102 Stat. 3836; Pub. L. 100–688, title II, § 2001, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4151; Pub. L. 105–362, title V, § 501(a)(2), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3283; Pub. L. 106–457, title III, §§ 301—303, Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 1972; Pub. L. 107–303, title III, § 302(b)(1), Nov. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 2361; Pub. L. 108–399, § 1, Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2253; Pub. L. 114–162, §§ 1, 2, May 20, 2016, 130 Stat. 409; Pub. L. 116–337, §§ 2–6, Jan. 13, 2021, 134 Stat. 5120, 5121; Pub. L. 118–152, § 2, Dec. 17, 2024, 138 Stat. 1686.)

CITE AS: 33 USC 1330