Final 2013 VGP Fact Sheet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2013 Final Issuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Vessel General Permit (VGP) for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels Fact Sheet Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Action: Notice of NPDES General Permit Page 1 of 198 Final 2013 VGP Fact Sheet TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. General Information ...................................................................................................................9 1.1. Does this Action Apply to Me? ........................................................................................9 1.2. Further Information ...........................................................................................................9 2. Background ................................................................................................................................9 2.1. The Clean Water Act ........................................................................................................9 2.2. Legal Challenges .............................................................................................................10 2.3. Congressional Legislation ...............................................................................................11 2.4. General Permits ...............................................................................................................12 2.5. Public Comment on EPA’s Proposed VGP ....................................................................13 2.6. U.S. Coast Guard Ballast Water Rulemaking .................................................................13 2.7. Economic Impacts ...........................................................................................................14 3. The Permit ................................................................................................................................15 3.1. Geographic Scope of the Permit .....................................................................................15 3.2. Structure of the Permit (Part 1.1) ....................................................................................16 3.3. What is the Vessel Universe Affected by This Permit? ..................................................16 3.4. Regulation of Constituents in the Discharges Under the Permit ....................................17 3.4.1 Aquatic Nuisance Species ......................................................................................18 3.4.2 Nutrients .................................................................................................................19 3.4.3 Pathogens ...............................................................................................................20 3.4.4 Oil and Grease........................................................................................................21 3.4.5 Metals .....................................................................................................................21 3.4.6 Toxic and Non-Conventional Pollutants with Toxic Effects .................................22 3.4.7 Other Non-Conventional and Conventional Pollutants (Except Fecal Coliform)................................................................................................................23 3.5. Coverage Under the Permit .............................................................................................24 3.5.1 Eligibility (Part 1.2) ...............................................................................................24 3.5.1.1 Deck Washdown and Runoff and Above Water Line Hull Cleaning ............24 3.5.1.2 Bilgewater ......................................................................................................25 3.5.1.3 Ballast Water ..................................................................................................25 3.5.1.4 Anti-Fouling Leachate from Anti-Fouling Hull Coatings ..............................25 3.5.1.5 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) ...........................................................26 3.5.1.6 Boiler/Economizer Blowdown .......................................................................26 3.5.1.7 Cathodic Protection ........................................................................................26 3.5.1.8 Chain Locker Effluent ....................................................................................26 3.5.1.9 Controllable Pitch Propeller and Thruster Hydraulic Fluid and other Oil to Sea Interfaces including Lubrication discharges from Paddle Wheel Propulsion, Stern Tubes, Thruster Bearings, Stabilizers, Rudder Bearings, Azimuth Thrusters, Propulsion Pod Lubrication, and Wire Rope and Mechanical Equipment Subject to Immersion ...............................26 3.5.1.10 Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine .........................................................27 3.5.1.11 Elevator Pit Effluent .......................................................................................27 3.5.1.12 Firemain Systems ...........................................................................................28 3.5.1.13 Freshwater Layup ...........................................................................................28 3.5.1.14 Gas Turbine Water Wash ...............................................................................28 Page 2 of 198 Final 2013 VGP Fact Sheet 3.5.1.15 Graywater .......................................................................................................28 3.5.1.16 Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge ...............................................29 3.5.1.17 Non-Oily Machinery Wastewater ..................................................................29 3.5.1.18 Refrigeration and Air Condensate Discharge .................................................29 3.5.1.19 Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge (Including Non-Contact Engine Cooling Water, Hydraulic System Cooling Water, Refrigeration Cooling Water) ...............................................................................................29 3.5.1.20 Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention .........................................................29 3.5.1.21 Boat Engine Wet Exhaust ...............................................................................29 3.5.1.22 Sonar Dome Discharge ...................................................................................30 3.5.1.23 Underwater Ship Husbandry and Hull Fouling Discharges ...........................30 3.5.1.24 Welldeck Discharges ......................................................................................30 3.5.1.25 Graywater Mixed with Sewage from Vessels ................................................30 3.5.1.26 Exhaust Gas Scrubber Washwater Discharge ................................................30 3.5.1.27 Fish Hold Effluent ..........................................................................................31 3.5.2 Discharge Types Specifically Not Authorized By This Permit .............................31 3.5.2.1 Discharges Not Subject to Former NPDES Permit Exclusion Including Vessels Being Operated in a Capacity Other than as a Means of Transportation ................................................................................................31 3.5.2.2 Sewage from Vessels ......................................................................................32 3.5.2.3 Used or Spent Oil ...........................................................................................32 3.5.2.4 Rubbish, Trash, Garbage or Other Materials Discharged Overboard ............32 3.5.2.5 Photo Processing Waste .................................................................................33 3.5.2.6 Effluent from Dry Cleaning Operations .........................................................33 3.5.2.7 Discharges of Medical Waste and Related Materials .....................................33 3.5.2.8 Discharges of Noxious Liquid Substance (NLS) Residues ............................33 3.5.2.9 Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene) and Trichloroethylene (TCE) Degreasers or Other Products Containing Tetrachloroethylene and Trichloroethylene ...........................................................................................33 3.5.2.10 Discharges Currently or Previously Covered by Another NPDES Permit .............................................................................................................34 3.6. Permit Compliance (Part 1.4) .........................................................................................34 3.7. Authorization Under the Permit (Part 1.5) ......................................................................34 3.7.1 No Requirement to Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for Certain Vessels .............34 3.7.2 How to Obtain Authorization (Part 1.5.1) .............................................................36 3.7.2.1 Owner/Operators Required to Submit NOIs (Part 1.5.1.1) ............................37 3.7.2.2 Owner/Operators Not Required to Submit NOIs (Part 1.5.1.2) .....................38 3.7.3 Continuation of the Permit (Part 1.5.2) ..................................................................39 3.8. Terminating Coverage (Part 1.6) ....................................................................................39 3.8.1 Submitting a Notice of Termination (NOT) (Part 1.6.1.1) ....................................39 3.8.2 When to Submit a Notice of Termination (Part 1.6.1.2 and