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S. 2881, The Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2008

  • This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.

Comparing revision saved on April 18, 2008, 19:57:02 (webmaster), with revision saved on May 22, 2008, 19:58:06 (webmaster):

S. 2881 would establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels into the waters of the United States.

== Detailed Summary ==

<summary>
(LogClean Cruise Ship Act of 2008 - Prohibits cruise vessels calling on U.S. ports from discharging sewage, graywater, or bilge water into U.S. waters unless: (1) the treated effluent meets specified effluent limits and management standards; (2) the vessel is proceeding at not less than six knots; (3) the vessel is not less than 12 nautical miles from shore; and (4) the vessel is not in to edita no discharge zone. Prohibits the wikidischarge of sewage sludge, incinerator ash, or hazardous waste into U.S. waters and requires it to be off-loaded at appropriate land-based facilities. Prescribes exceptions for: (1) discharges solely to secure the firstsafety of a vessel or to providesave a detailed summarylife at sea; and (2) Alaskan vessels until 10 years after enactment.

Requires the Administrator
of the bill!)Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate such effluent limits that: (1) are consistent with the capability of the best available technology to treat effluent; (2) require compliance with state and federal water quality standards; (3) take into account the best available scientific information on environmental effects; and (4) require treated discharges to meet specified standards for minimum effluent quality, fecal coliform, and residual chlorine.



Requires the EPA Administrator to implement a sampling and testing program, and requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to implement an inspection program, sufficient to verify that such vessels are in compliance with this Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and other applicable federal laws and international agreements.

Requires the Commandant to establish a program for the placement of trained independent observers on vessels to monitor and inspect vessel operations, equipment, and discharges.

Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out a pilot program to develop and promote commercialization of technologies to provide federal agencies data regarding discharges from vessels and functioning of vessel components relating to fuel consumption and air and water pollution control.

Calls for enactment of standards for: (1) ballast water; and (2) air quality regarding incineration and engine activities of vessels.

Establishes the Cruise Vessel Pollution Control Fund. Requires the Commandant to collect fees from vessels for paying passengers to be deposited in such Fund for use in carrying out this Act.

</summary>

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== Status of the Legislation ==

<status>
Latest Major Action: 4/17/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
</status>

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== Points in Favor ==

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== Points Against ==

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