81_FR_69948 81 FR 69753 - Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces-Phase II Batch Two

81 FR 69753 - Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces-Phase II Batch Two

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 195 (October 7, 2016)

Page Range69753-69772
FR Document2016-24079

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) propose discharge performance standards for 11 discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces into the navigable waters of the United States, the territorial seas, and the contiguous zone. When implemented, the proposed discharge performance standards would reduce the adverse environmental impacts associated with the vessel discharges, stimulate the development of improved vessel pollution control devices, and advance the development of environmentally sound vessels of the Armed Forces. The 11 discharges addressed by the proposed rule are the following: catapult water brake tank and post-launch retraction exhaust, controllable pitch propeller hydraulic fluid, deck runoff, firemain systems, graywater, hull coating leachate, motor gasoline and compensating discharge, sonar dome discharge, submarine bilgewater, surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent, and underwater ship husbandry.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 195 (Friday, October 7, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 195 (Friday, October 7, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69753-69772]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24079]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

40 CFR Part 1700

[EPA-HQ-OW-2016-0351; FRL-9949-12-OW]
RIN 2040-AF53


Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed 
Forces--Phase II Batch Two

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. 
Department of Defense (DoD) propose discharge performance standards for 
11 discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the 
Armed Forces into the navigable waters of the United States, the 
territorial seas, and the contiguous zone. When implemented, the 
proposed discharge performance standards would reduce the adverse 
environmental impacts associated with the vessel discharges, stimulate 
the development of improved vessel pollution control devices, and 
advance the development of environmentally sound vessels of the Armed 
Forces. The 11 discharges addressed by the proposed rule are the 
following: catapult water brake tank and post-launch retraction 
exhaust, controllable pitch propeller hydraulic fluid, deck runoff, 
firemain systems, graywater, hull coating leachate, motor gasoline and 
compensating discharge, sonar dome discharge, submarine bilgewater, 
surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent, and underwater 
ship husbandry.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 6, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2016-0351, at http://www.regulation.gov. Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or 
removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received 
to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you 
consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia 
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written 
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and 
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will 
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of 
the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment 
policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general 
guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine B. Weiler, Marine Pollution 
Control Branch (4504T), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; (202) 566-1280; [email protected], or Mike

[[Page 69754]]

Pletke, Chief of Naval Operations (N45), 2000 Navy Pentagon (Rm. 
2D253), Washington, DC 20350-2000; (703) 695-5184; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This supplementary information is organized 
as follows:

I. General Information
    A. Legal Authority for the Proposed Rule
    B. Purpose of the Proposed Rule
    C. What vessels are potentially affected by the Proposed Rule?
    D. What is the geographic scope of the Proposed Rule?
    E. Rulemaking Process
    F. Summary of Public Outreach and Consultation With Federal 
Agencies, States, Territories, and Tribes
    G. Supporting Documentation
    H. What should I consider as I prepare my comments?
II. UNDS Performance Standards Development
    A. Nature of the Discharge
    B. Environmental Effects
    C. Cost, Practicability, and Operational Impacts
    D. Applicable U.S. and International Law
    E. Definitions
III. UNDS Discharge Analysis and Performance Standards
    A. Catapult Water Brake Tank and Post-Launch Retraction Exhaust
    B. Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid
    C. Deck Runoff
    D. Firemain Systems
    E. Graywater
    F. Hull Coating Leachate
    G. Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge
    H. Sonar Dome Discharge
    I. Submarine Bilgewater
    J. Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water Separator Effluent (OWSE)
    K. Underwater Ship Husbandry
IV. Additional Information of the Proposed Rule
V. Related Acts of Congress and Executive Orders
    A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and 
Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act as Amended by the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
    F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With 
Indian Tribal Governments
    G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From 
Environmental Health and Safety Risks
    H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
    I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    J. Executive Order 13112: Invasive Species
    K. Executive Order 13089: Coral Reef Protection
    L. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations
VI. Appendix A. Description of Vessels of the Armed Forces

I. General Information

A. Legal Authority for the Proposed Rule

    The EPA and DoD propose this rule under the authority of Clean 
Water Act (CWA) section 312 (33 U.S.C. 1322). Section 325 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 1996 (``NDAA''), entitled 
``Discharges from Vessels of the Armed Forces'' (Pub. L. 104-106, 110 
Stat. 254), amended CWA section 312, to require the Administrator of 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) and the 
Secretary of Defense of the U.S. Department of Defense (Secretary) to 
develop uniform national standards to control certain discharges 
incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces. The 
term Uniform National Discharge Standards or UNDS is used in this 
preamble to refer to the provisions in CWA section 312(a)(12) through 
(14) and (n) (33 U.S.C. 1322(a)(12) through (14) and (n)).

B. Purpose of the Proposed Rule

    UNDS are intended to enhance the operational flexibility of vessels 
of the Armed Forces domestically and internationally, stimulate the 
development of innovative vessel pollution control technology, and 
advance the development of environmentally sound ships. Section 
312(n)(3)(A) of the CWA requires the EPA and DoD to promulgate uniform 
national discharge standards for certain discharges incidental to the 
normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces (CWA section 
312(a)(12)), unless the Secretary finds that compliance with UNDS would 
not be in the national security interests of the United States (CWA 
section 312(n)(1)).
    The proposed rule would amend title 40 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) part 1700 to establish discharge performance standards for 11 
discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed 
Forces from among the 25 discharges for which the EPA and DoD 
previously determined (64 FR 25126, May 10, 1999) that it is reasonable 
and practicable to require a marine pollution control device (MPCD). 
The 11 discharges addressed by the proposal are the following: Catapult 
water brake tank and post-launch retraction exhaust, controllable pitch 
propeller hydraulic fluid, deck runoff, firemain systems, graywater, 
hull coating leachate, motor gasoline and compensating discharge, sonar 
dome discharge, submarine bilgewater, surface vessel bilgewater/oil-
water separator effluent, and underwater ship husbandry.
    The proposed discharge performance standards would not become 
enforceable until after promulgation of a final rule, as well as 
promulgation of regulations by DoD under CWA section 312(n)(5)(C) to 
govern the design, construction, installation, and use of a MPCD.
    UNDS do not apply to the following discharges from vessels of the 
Armed Forces: Overboard discharges of rubbish, trash, garbage, or other 
such materials; sewage; air emissions resulting from the operation of a 
vessel propulsion system, motor-driven equipment, or incinerator; or 
discharges that require permitting under the National Pollutant 
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, including operational 
discharges and other discharges that are not incidental to the normal 
operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces.

C. What vessels are potentially affected by the proposed rule?

    The proposed rule would apply to vessels of the Armed Forces. For 
the purposes of the rulemaking, the term ``vessel of the Armed Forces'' 
is defined at CWA section 312(a)(14). Vessel of the Armed Forces means 
any vessel owned or operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (i.e., 
U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and 
U.S. Air Force), other than a time- or voyage-chartered vessel, as well 
as any U.S. Coast Guard vessel designated by the Secretary of the 
Department in which the U.S. Coast Guard is operating. The preceding 
list is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for 
the reader regarding the vessels of the Armed Forces to be regulated by 
the proposed rule. The proposed rule would not apply to commercial 
vessels; private vessels; vessels owned or operated by state, local, or 
tribal governments; vessels under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers; certain vessels under the jurisdiction of the U.S. 
Department of Transportation; vessels preserved as memorials and 
museums; vessels under construction; vessels in drydock; amphibious 
vehicles; and, as noted above, time- or voyage-chartered vessels. For 
answers to questions regarding the applicability of this action to a 
particular vessel, consult one of the contacts listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

[[Page 69755]]

D. What is the geographic scope of the proposed rule?

    The proposed rule would be applicable to discharges from a vessel 
of the Armed Forces operating in the navigable waters of the United 
States, territorial seas, and the contiguous zone (CWA section 
1322(n)(8)(A)). The proposed rule applies in both fresh and marine 
waters and can include bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and 
oceans. Together, the preamble refers to these waters as ``waters 
subject to UNDS.''
    Sections 502(7), 502(8), and 502(9) of the CWA define the term 
``navigable waters,'' ``territorial seas,'' and ``contiguous zone,'' 
respectively. The term ``navigable waters'' means waters of the United 
States including the territorial seas, where the United States includes 
the states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific 
Islands. The term ``territorial seas'' means the belt of seas that 
generally extends three miles seaward from the line of ordinary low 
water along the portion of the coast in direct contact with the open 
sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters. The term 
``contiguous zone'' means the entire zone established or to be 
established by the United States under Article 24 of the Convention of 
the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone. Generally, the contiguous 
zone extends seaward for the next nine miles (i.e., from three to 12 
miles from the U.S. coastline). The proposed rule would not be 
applicable seaward of the contiguous zone.

E. Rulemaking Process

    The UNDS rulemaking is a joint rulemaking between the EPA and DoD 
and is under development in three phases. The first two phases reflect 
joint rulemaking between the EPA and DoD; the third phase is a DoD-only 
rule.
Phase I
    The EPA and DoD promulgated the Phase I regulations on May 10, 1999 
(64 FR 25126), and these existing regulations are codified at 40 CFR 
part 1700. During Phase I, the EPA and DoD identified the discharges 
incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces for 
which it is reasonable and practicable to require control with a MPCD 
to mitigate potential adverse impacts on the marine environment (CWA 
section 312(n)(2)), as well as those discharges for which it is not. 
Section 312(a)(13) of the CWA defines a MPCD as any equipment or 
management practice, for installation or use on a vessel of the Armed 
Forces, that is designed to receive, retain, treat, control, or 
discharge a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel; 
and determined by the Administrator and the Secretary to be the most 
effective equipment or management practice to reduce the environmental 
impacts of the discharge consistent with the considerations set forth 
by UNDS.
    During Phase I, the EPA and DoD identified the following 25 
discharges as requiring control with a MPCD: Aqueous Film-Forming Foam; 
Catapult Water Brake Tank and Post-Launch Retraction Exhaust; Chain 
Locker Effluent; Clean Ballast; Compensated Fuel Ballast; Controllable 
Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid; Deck Runoff; Dirty Ballast; 
Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine; Elevator Pit Effluent; Firemain 
Systems; Gas Turbine Water Wash; Graywater; Hull Coating Leachate; 
Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge; Non-Oily Machinery 
Wastewater; Photographic Laboratory Drains; Seawater Cooling Overboard 
Discharge; Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention; Small Boat Engine Wet 
Exhaust; Sonar Dome Discharge; Submarine Bilgewater; Surface Vessel 
Bilgewater/Oil-Water Separator Effluent; Underwater Ship Husbandry; and 
Welldeck Discharges (40 CFR 1700.4).
    During Phase I, the EPA and DoD identified the following 14 
discharges as not requiring control with a MPCD: Boiler Blowdown; 
Catapult Wet Accumulator Discharge; Cathodic Protection; Freshwater 
Layup; Mine Countermeasures Equipment Lubrication; Portable Damage 
Control Drain Pump Discharge; Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Wet 
Exhaust; Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Condensate; Rudder Bearing 
Lubrication; Steam Condensate; Stern Tube Seals and Underwater Bearing 
Lubrication; Submarine Acoustic Countermeasures Launcher Discharge; 
Submarine Emergency Diesel Engine Wet Exhaust; and Submarine Outboard 
Equipment Grease and External Hydraulics.
    As of the effective date of the Phase I rule (June 9, 1999), 
neither states nor political subdivisions of states may adopt or 
enforce any state or local statutes or regulations with respect to the 
14 discharges that were identified as not requiring control, except to 
establish no-discharge zones (CWA sections 312(n)(6)(A) and 312(n)(7)). 
However, section 312(n)(5)(D) of the CWA authorizes a Governor of any 
state to submit a petition to DoD and the EPA requesting the re-
evaluation of a prior determination that a MPCD is required for a 
particular discharge (40 CFR 1700.4) or that a MPCD is not required for 
a particular discharge (40 CFR 1700.5), if there is significant new 
information not considered previously, that could reasonably result in 
a change to the determination (CWA section 312(n)(5)(D) and 40 CFR 
1700.11).
Phase II
    Section 312(n)(3) of the CWA provides for Phase II and requires the 
EPA and DoD to develop federal discharge performance standards for each 
of the 25 discharges identified in Phase I as requiring control. In 
doing so, the EPA and DoD are required to consult with the Department 
in which the U.S. Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary of Commerce, 
interested states, the Secretary of State, and other interested federal 
agencies. In promulgating Phase II discharge performance standards, CWA 
section 312(n)(2)(B) directs the EPA and DoD to consider seven factors: 
The nature of the discharge; the environmental effects of the 
discharge; the practicability of using the MPCD; the effect that 
installation or use of the MPCD would have on the operation or the 
operational capability of the vessel; applicable U.S. law; applicable 
international standards; and the economic costs of installation and use 
of the MPCD. Section 312(n)(3)(C) of the CWA further provides that the 
EPA and DoD may establish discharge standards that (1) distinguish 
among classes, types, and sizes of vessels; (2) distinguish between new 
and existing vessels; and (3) provide for a waiver of applicability of 
standards as necessary or appropriate to a particular class, type, age, 
or size of vessel.
    The EPA and DoD developed a process to establish the Phase II 
discharge performance standards in three batches (three separate 
rulemakings). The first batch of discharge performance standards was 
published on February 3, 2014 (79 FR 6117) and addressed 11 of the 25 
discharges identified as requiring control (64 FR 25126). The second 
batch of discharge performance standards, the subject of this proposed 
rule, addresses 11 additional discharges identified as requiring 
control (64 FR 25126). The third batch of discharge performance 
standards that will address the remaining three discharges will be 
proposed in a separate rule.
    In developing the Phase II discharge performance standards, the EPA 
and DoD reference the 2013 NPDES Vessel General Permit and the 2014 
NPDES Small Vessel General Permit (hereinafter

[[Page 69756]]

referred to collectively as the NPDES VGPs) as the baseline for each 
comparable discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of 
the Armed Forces (78 FR 21938, April 12, 2013 and 79 FR 53702, 
September 10, 2014). The NPDES VGPs provide for CWA authorization of 
discharges incidental to the normal operation of non-military and non-
recreational vessels extending to the outer reach of the three-mile 
territorial sea as defined in CWA section 502(8). The NPDES VGPs 
include effluent limits that are based on both the technology available 
to treat pollutants (i.e., technology-based effluent limitations), and 
limits that would be protective of the designated uses of the receiving 
waters (i.e., water quality-based effluent limits), including both non-
numeric and numeric limitations. Vessels covered under the NPDES VGPs 
vary widely by type, size, and activity and similarly, the contents and 
volume of the waste streams can vary dependent upon seas, cargo 
carried, and age of the vessel. Though the 2013 NPDES VGP was remanded 
to EPA after a judicial challenge, NRDC v. EPA, 808 F.3d 556 (2d Cir. 
2015), the contested issues remanded to EPA are specific to the CWA 
NPDES permit program and thus are not relevant to the development of 
the proposed UNDS discharge performance standards. Numeric effluent 
limitations were used when feasible but due to the variety of vessel 
types, sizes, and activities, the EPA also used non-numeric effluent 
limitations to regulate vessel discharges covered by the NPDES VGPs. 
Additional information on NPDES permitting can be found on-line at 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/.
    Using the NPDES VGPs as a baseline for developing the performance 
standards for discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel 
of the Armed Forces allowed the EPA and DoD to maximize the use of the 
EPA's scientific and technical work developed to support the NPDES 
VGPs. The NPDES VGPs technology-based and water quality-based effluent 
limitations were then adapted, as appropriate, for the relevant 
discharges from vessels of the Armed Forces.
Phase III
    Phase III of UNDS requires DoD, in consultation with the EPA and 
the Secretary of the Department in which the U.S. Coast Guard is 
operating, within one year of finalization of the Phase II standards, 
to promulgate regulations governing the design, construction, 
installation, and use of MPCDs necessary to meet the discharge 
performance standards. DoD will implement the Phase III regulations 
under the authority of the Secretary as a DoD publication. The Phase 
III regulations will be publicly released and are expected to be made 
available on the Defense Technical Information Center Web site: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives. Similar to Phase II, Phase III will be 
promulgated in three batches.
    Following the effective date of regulations under Phase III, it 
will be unlawful for a vessel of the Armed Forces to operate within 
waters subject to UNDS if the vessel is not equipped with a MPCD that 
meets the final Phase II standards (CWA section 312 (n)(7)). It also 
will be unlawful for a vessel of the Armed Forces to discharge a 
regulated UNDS discharge into an UNDS no-discharge zone (i.e., waters 
where a prohibition on a discharge has been established) (CWA section 
312(n)(8)). Any person in violation of this requirement shall be liable 
to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each violation (CWA 
section 312(j)). The Secretary of the Department in which the U.S. 
Coast Guard is operating shall enforce these provisions and may utilize 
law enforcement officers, EPA personnel and facilities, other federal 
agencies, or the states to carry out these provisions. States may also 
enforce these provisions (CWA section 312(k) and (n)(9)).
    In addition, as of the effective date of the Phase III regulations, 
neither States nor political subdivisions of States may adopt or 
enforce any state or local statute or regulation with respect to 
discharges identified as requiring control, except to establish no-
discharge zones (CWA section 312(n)(7)). CWA section 312(n)(7) provides 
for the establishment of no-discharge zones either (1) by State 
prohibition after application and a determination by the EPA, or (2) 
directly by EPA prohibition. The Phase I UNDS regulations established 
the criteria and procedures for establishing UNDS no-discharge zones 
(40 CFR 1700.9 and 40 CFR 1700.10).
    If a state determines that the protection and enhancement of the 
quality of some or all of its waters require greater environmental 
protection, the state may prohibit one or more discharges incidental to 
the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces, whether treated 
or not, into those waters (40 CFR 1700.9). A state prohibition does not 
apply until after the Administrator determines that (1) the protection 
and enhancement of the quality of the specified waters within the state 
require a prohibition of the discharge into the waters; (2) 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 (3) 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 (40 CFR 
1700.9(b)(2)).
    Alternatively, a State may request that the EPA prohibit, by 
regulation, the discharge of one or more discharges incidental to the 
normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces, whether treated or 
not, into specified waters within a state (40 CFR 1700.10). In this 
case, the EPA would make a determination that the protection and 
enhancement of the quality of the specified waters requires a 
prohibition of the discharge. As with the application of a state 
prohibition described above, the Administrator would need to determine 
that (1) the protection and enhancement of the quality of the specified 
waters within the state require a prohibition of the discharge into the 
waters; (2) 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 (3) 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 (40 CFR 1700.9(b)(2)). The EPA may not, 
however, disapprove a state application for this latter type of 
prohibition for the sole reason that there are not adequate facilities 
for the safe and sanitary removal of such discharges (CWA section 
312(n)(7)(B)(ii) and 40 CFR 1700.10(b)).
    The statute also requires the EPA and DoD to review the 
determinations and standards every five years and, if necessary, to 
revise them based on significant new information. Specifically, CWA 
section 312(n)(5)(A) and (B) contain provisions for reviewing and 
modifying both of the following determinations: (1) Whether control 
should be required for a particular discharge, and (2) the substantive 
standard of performance for a discharge for which control is required. 
A Governor also may petition the Administrator and the Secretary to 
review a UNDS determination or standard if there is significant new 
information, not considered previously, that could reasonably result in 
a change

[[Page 69757]]

to the determination or standard (CWA section 312(n)(5)(D) and 40 CFR 
1700.11).

F. Summary of Public Outreach and Consultation With Federal Agencies, 
States, Territories, and Tribes

    During the development of the proposed rule, the EPA and DoD 
consulted with other federal agencies, states, and tribes regarding the 
reduction of adverse environmental impacts associated with discharges 
from vessels of the Armed Forces; development of innovative vessel 
pollution control technology; and advancement of environmentally sound 
vessels of the Armed Forces. In addition, the EPA and DoD reviewed 
comments on the NPDES VGPs.

G. Supporting Documentation

    The proposed rule is supported by ``Technical Development Document 
(TDD) Phase I Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) for Vessels 
of the Armed Forces,'' the UNDS Phase I rules, the ``Final 2013 Vessel 
General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of 
Vessels (VGP),'' the ``Vessel General Permit (VGP) Fact Sheet,'' the 
``Final Small Vessel General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the 
Normal Operation of Vessels Less Than 79 Feet (sVGP),'' the ``Small 
Vessel General Permit (sVGP) Fact Sheet,'' the ``Economics and Benefits 
Analysis of the Final 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP),'' the 
``Economics and Benefits Analysis of the Final 2013 Small Vessel 
General Permit (sVGP),'' the ``February 2014 Uniform National Discharge 
Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces--Phase II,'' the ``Report to 
Congress: Study of Discharges Incidental to Normal Operation of 
Commercial Fishing Vessels and Other Non-Recreational Vessels Less than 
79 Feet,'' and the ``Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants.'' These 
documents are available from the EPA Water Docket, Docket No. EPA-HQ-
OW-2016-0351 (Email: [email protected]; Phone Number: (202) 566-2426; 
Mail: Water Docket, Mail Code: 2822-IT, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; or Online: http://www.regulations.gov). The NPDES 
VGPs background documents also are available online: https://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels.

H. What should I consider as I prepare my comments?

    The public may submit comments in written or electronic form. 
Electronic comments must be identified by the docket number EPA-HQ-OW-
2016-0351. These electronic submissions will be accepted in Microsoft 
Word or Adobe PDF. If your comment cannot be read due to technical 
difficulties and you cannot be contacted for clarification, the EPA and 
DoD may not be able to consider your comment. Avoid the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption.
    Tips for Preparing Comments. Please follow these guidelines as you 
prepare your comments so that the EPA and DoD can better address them 
in a timely manner.
    1. Identify the proposed rule by docket number and other 
identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date, and 
page number).
    2. Explain why you agree or disagree with any proposed discharge 
performance standards; suggest alternatives and substitute language for 
your requested changes.
    3. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information 
or data that you used.
    4. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and 
suggest alternatives.
    5. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
    Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline. 
The EPA and DoD are not obligated to accept or consider late comments.

II. UNDS Performance Standards Development

    During the development of the proposed discharge performance 
standards, the EPA and DoD analyzed the information from the Phase I of 
UNDS, considered the relevant language in the NPDES VGPs effluent 
limitations, and took into the consideration the seven statutory 
factors listed in CWA section 312(n)(2)(B). These seven statutory 
factors are: The nature of the discharge; the environmental effects of 
the discharge; the practicability of using the MPCD; the effect that 
installation or use of the MPCD would have on the operation or 
operational capability of the vessel; applicable U.S. law; applicable 
international standards; and the economic costs of the installation and 
use of the MPCD. The EPA and DoD determined that the NPDES VGPs 
effluent limitations, which include technology-based and water quality-
based effluent limitations, provide a sound basis to serve as a 
baseline for developing the discharge performance standards for the 11 
discharges in this proposed rule. The subsections below outline the EPA 
and DoD's approach to considering the seven statutory factors listed in 
CWA section 312(n)(2)(B).

A. Nature of the Discharge

    During Phase I, the EPA and DoD gathered information on the 
discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed 
Forces and developed nature of the discharge reports. The nature of the 
discharge reports discuss how the discharge is generated, volumes and 
frequencies of the generated discharge, where the discharge occurs, and 
the constituents present in the discharge. In addition, the EPA and DoD 
reviewed relevant discharge information in the supporting documentation 
of the NPDES VGPs. The EPA and DoD briefly describe the nature of each 
of the 11 discharges below; however, the complete nature of the 
discharge reports can be found in Appendix A of the Technical 
Development Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.

B. Environmental Effects

    Discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the 
Armed Forces have the potential to negatively impact the aquatic 
environment. The discharges contain a wide variety of constituents that 
have the potential to negatively impact aquatic species and habitats. 
These discharges can cause thermal pollution and can contain aquatic 
nuisance species (ANS), nutrients, bacteria or pathogens (e.g., E. coli 
and fecal coliforms), oil and grease, metals, most conventional 
pollutants (e.g., organic matter, bicarbonate, and suspended solids), 
and other toxic and non-conventional pollutants with toxic effects. 
While it is unlikely that these discharges would cause an acute or 
chronic exceedance of the EPA recommended water quality criteria across 
a large water body, these discharges have the potential to cause 
adverse environmental impacts on a more localized scale due to the end-
of-pipe nature of the discharges. For each of the 11 discharges below, 
the EPA and DoD discuss the constituents of concern released into the 
environment and potential water quality impacts. The proposed discharge 
performance standards would reduce the discharge of constituents of 
concern and mitigate the environmental risks to the receiving waters.

C. Cost, Practicability, and Operational Impacts

    The universe of vessels of the Armed Forces affected by the 
proposed rule encompasses more than 6,000 vessels distributed among the 
U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, U.S. 
Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force. These vessels range

[[Page 69758]]

in design and size from small boats with lengths of less than 20 feet 
for coastal operations, to aircraft carriers with lengths of over 1,000 
feet for global operations. Approximately 80 percent of the vessels of 
the Armed Forces are less than 79 feet in length. Larger vessels (i.e., 
vessels with length greater than or equal to 79 feet) comprise 20 
percent of the vessels of the Armed Forces. The EPA and DoD considered 
vessel class, type, and size when developing the proposed discharge 
standards as not all vessels of the Armed Forces have the same 
discharges. For more information on the various vessel classes, 
characteristics, and missions, see Appendix A.
    The EPA and DoD assessed the relative costs, practicability, and 
operational impacts of the proposed rule by comparing current operating 
conditions and practices of vessels of the Armed Forces with the 
anticipated operating conditions and practices that would be required 
to meet the proposed discharge performance standards. The EPA and DoD 
determined that the proposed discharge performance standards applicable 
to operating conditions and practices for the 11 discharges would only 
result in a marginal increase in performance costs, practicability, and 
operational impacts.

D. Applicable U.S. and International Law

    The EPA and DoD reviewed U.S. laws and international standards that 
would be relevant to discharges incidental to the normal operation of a 
vessel of the Armed Forces. A number of U.S. environmental laws include 
specific provisions for federal facilities and properties that may 
result in different environmental requirements for federal and non-
federal entities. Similarly, many international treaties do not apply 
to vessels of the Armed Forces either because vessels of the Armed 
Forces are entitled to sovereign immunity under international law or 
because any particular treaty may apply different approaches to the 
adoption of appropriate environmental control measures consistent with 
the objects and purposes of such treaties. The EPA and DoD incorporated 
any relevant information in the development of the proposed discharge 
standards after reviewing the requirements of the following treaties 
and domestic implementing legislation, as well as other relevant and 
potentially applicable U.S. environmental laws: International 
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (also referred to 
as MARPOL); International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-
Fouling Systems on Ships; Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships; CWA 
section 311, as amended by the Oil Pollution Control Act of 1990; CWA 
section 402 and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 
Vessel General Permit and small Vessel General Permit; Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); Hazardous 
Materials Transportation Act; Title X of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2010; National Marine Sanctuaries Act; Antiquities Act of 1906; 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; 
and the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations. The EPA and DoD invite comment 
on the application of the laws and international standards considered 
in the development of the proposed discharge performance standards.

E. Definitions

    The EPA and DoD propose adding UNDS definitions to 40 CFR part 
1700. Specifically, the proposal would establish new definitions or 
revise proposed definitions found in UNDS Phase II Batch One (79 FR 
6117, February 3, 2014) for the following terms: Bioaccumulative; 
Biodegradable; environmentally acceptable lubricants; Great Lakes; 
minimally-toxic; minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners, and detergents; not 
bioaccumulative; phosphate free soaps, cleaners, and detergents; and 
state. The EPA and DoD propose defining these terms in order to support 
the proposal of the discharge performance standards described in the 
following section. These definitions are intended to clarify, simplify, 
or improve understanding of the proposed discharge performance 
standards. Some of the definitions are slightly different from the 
definitions established under the NPDES VGPs in order to increase 
clarity and understanding. The EPA and DoD invite comment on these 
definitions as applied to the specific proposed discharge performance 
standards for vessels of the Armed Forces.

III. UNDS Discharge Analysis and Performance Standards

    This section describes the nature of the discharge, the 
environmental effects of the discharge, and the proposed discharge 
performance standards determined to be reasonable and practicable to 
mitigate the adverse impacts to the marine environment for the 11 
discharges. In developing these standards, the EPA and DoD considered 
the information from Phase I of UNDS, Phase II of UNDS, the NPDES VGPs 
effluent limitations, and the seven statutory factors listed in CWA 
section 312(n)(2)(B). For more information on each discharge included 
in this proposed rule, please see the Phase I Uniform National 
Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces: Technical 
Development Document; EPA 821-R-99-001.
    The 11 proposed discharge performance standards described in each 
section below apply to vessels of the Armed Forces operating within 
waters subject to UNDS, except as otherwise expressly excluded in the 
``exceptions'' in 40 CFR 1700.39. In addition, if two or more regulated 
discharge streams are combined prior to discharge, then the resulting 
discharge would need to meet the discharge performance standards 
applicable to each of the discharges that are being combined (40 CFR 
1700.40). Furthermore, recordkeeping (40 CFR 1700.41) and non-
compliance reporting (40 CFR 1700.42) apply generally to each proposed 
discharge performance standard unless expressly provided in a 
particular discharge performance standard.

A. Catapult Water Brake Tank and Post-Launch Retraction Exhaust

1. Nature of Discharge
    Catapult water brake tank and post-launch retraction exhaust is the 
oily water skimmed from the water brake tank and the condensed steam 
discharged during catapult operations. Catapult water brakes stop the 
forward motion of an aircraft carrier catapult system used to launch 
various aircraft from Navy aircraft carriers. In waters subject to 
UNDS, the catapult water brake is primarily used for testing catapults 
on recently constructed aircraft carriers, following major drydock 
overhauls, or after major catapult modifications. Most flight 
operations occur outside of waters subject to UNDS. The catapult water 
brake tank serves as the water supply for the catapult water brake 
system. During each aircraft launch or test, lubricating oil is 
introduced to the catapult water brake tank by the catapult pistons; as 
the water is recirculated through the catapult water brake and the 
water brake tank, oil accumulates in the tank. The testing alone of the 
catapult water brake does not generate a sufficient accumulation of 
oily water in the catapult water brake tank to generate a discharge. 
However, during flight operations the oily water from the catapult 
water brake tank is discharged above the waterline.
    During the post-launch retraction of the catapult piston, the 
condensed

[[Page 69759]]

steam remaining in the power cylinder and a small amount of residual 
oil from the catapult cylinder are discharged overboard through the 
catapult exhaust piping. Catapult flight operations (including 
qualification and operational training) and testing both generate the 
post-launch retraction exhaust discharge.
    Only Navy aircraft carriers, which represent less than one percent 
of vessels of the Armed Forces, are likely to produce catapult water 
brake tank and post-launch retraction exhaust discharge.
    For more information regarding catapult water brake tank and post-
launch retraction exhaust discharge, please see the catapult water 
brake tank and post-launch retraction exhaust nature of the discharge 
report in Appendix A of the Technical Development Document--EPA 821-R-
99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    The catapult water brake tank and post-launch retraction exhaust 
discharges could negatively impact receiving waters due to the presence 
of lubricating oil and small amounts of metals generated within the 
catapult system itself. Additionally, the post-launch retraction 
exhaust discharge contains oil and water (in the condensed steam), 
nitrogen (in the form of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, and total 
nitrogen), and metals such as copper and nickel from the piping 
systems. Among the constituents, oil, copper, lead, nickel, nitrogen, 
ammonia, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, phosphorus, and benzidine could 
be present in concentrations that exceed the EPA recommended water 
quality criteria.
    Prohibiting the discharge of catapult water brake tank effluent and 
limiting the number of post-launch retraction exhaust discharges to 
only those required to support necessary testing and training 
operations would significantly limit the potential for release of the 
associated constituents of concern and protect the quality of the 
receiving waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to prohibit the discharge of catapult water 
brake tank effluent and to minimize post-launch retraction exhaust 
discharges by limiting the number of launches required to test and 
validate the system and conduct qualification and operational training.

B. Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid

1. Nature of Discharge
    Controllable pitch propeller (CPP) hydraulic fluid is the hydraulic 
fluid that discharges into the receiving waters from propeller seals as 
part of normal operation, and the hydraulic fluid released during 
routine maintenance of the propellers. CPPs are used to control a 
vessel's speed or direction while maintaining a constant propulsion 
plant output (i.e., varying the pitch or ``bite'' of the propeller 
blades without varying the propulsion shaft speed). High-pressure 
hydraulic oil is used throughout the CPP system of pumps, pistons, 
crossheads, and crank rings. The hydraulic fluid might be discharged 
into the surrounding water due to leaks associated with CPP seals and 
during routine maintenance or replacement of the propellers.
    Leakage through CPP seals is most likely to occur while the vessel 
is underway because the CPP system operates under higher pressure when 
underway than at pierside or at anchor. CPP assemblies are typically 
designed to operate at 400 pounds per square inch (psi) without 
leaking. Typical CPP internal pressures while pierside range from 6 to 
8 psi. CPP seals are designed to last five to seven years, which is the 
longest period between scheduled dry-dock cycles, and are inspected 
quarterly for damage or excessive wear. As a result of the hub design 
and frequent CPP seal inspections, leaks of hydraulic fluid from CPP 
hubs are expected to be negligible.
    CPP blade maintenance or replacement, which occurs in port on an 
as-needed basis when dry-docking is unavailable or impractical, also 
might result in the discharge of hydraulic fluid.
    U.S. Coast Guard patrol ships, Navy surface combatants and some 
amphibious support ships, and some Military Sealift Command auxiliary 
ships might produce this discharge. Those ships represent approximately 
five percent of the vessels of the Armed Forces.
    For more information regarding discharges from CPP systems, please 
see the CPP hydraulic fluid nature of the discharge report in Appendix 
A of the Technical Development Document-- EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    The amount of hydraulic fluid released during underwater CPP 
maintenance could cause a sheen in the receiving waters. Constituents 
of the discharge include paraffins, olefins, and metals such as copper, 
aluminum, tin, nickel, and lead. Metal concentrations are expected to 
be insignificant because hydraulic fluid is not corrosive to metal 
piping, and the hydraulic fluid is continually filtered to protect 
against system failures. The use of shore facilities for CPP 
maintenance activities when possible would reduce the discharge of 
hydraulic fluid. The use of spill containment measures would minimize 
any adverse environmental effects, should the release of oil occur. 
Reducing the likelihood of discharge of CPP hydraulic fluid and the 
associated constituents of concern would protect the quality of the 
receiving waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that the protective seals on 
CPPs be maintained in good operating order to minimize the leakage of 
hydraulic fluid. To the greatest extent practicable, maintenance 
activities on CPPs should be conducted when a vessel is in drydock. If 
maintenance and repair activities must occur when the vessel is not in 
drydock, appropriate spill response equipment (e.g., oil booms) must be 
used to contain and clean any oil leakage. The discharge of CPP 
hydraulic fluid must not contain oil in quantities that: Cause a film 
or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of the water or adjoining 
shorelines; or cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the 
surface of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or contain an oil 
content above 15 parts per million (ppm) as measured by EPA Method 
1664a or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as 
accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO 
Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or otherwise are harmful to the 
public health or welfare of the United States.

C. Deck Runoff

1. Nature of Discharge
    Deck runoff is an intermittent discharge generated from 
precipitation, freshwater washdowns, wave action, or seawater spray 
falling on the weather deck or the flight deck that is discharged 
overboard through deck openings. Deck runoff contains any residues that 
may be present on the deck surface.
    Residues and contaminants present on the deck originate from 
topside equipment components as well as the varied activities that take 
place on the deck. Some or all of these pollutants can be introduced to 
the deck from shipboard activities, storage of material on the deck, 
maintenance activities, and

[[Page 69760]]

the decking material itself. Deck runoff has the potential to contain a 
variety of pollutants, including oil and grease, petroleum 
hydrocarbons, surfactants, soaps and detergents, glycols, solvents, and 
metals. Constituents and volumes of deck runoff vary widely depending 
on the purpose, service, and practices of the vessel.
    All vessels of the Armed Forces generate deck runoff and the 
discharge occurs whenever the deck surface is exposed to water. Only 
vessels of the Armed Forces that support flight operations have flight 
decks. The proposed standards distinguish between flight decks and 
other vessel decks.
    For more information regarding deck runoff, please see the deck 
runoff nature of the discharge report in Appendix A of the Technical 
Development Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    Deck runoff could negatively impact receiving waters due to the 
possible presence of oil and grease, petroleum hydrocarbons, 
surfactants, soaps and detergents, glycols, solvents, and metals. These 
constituents may be present in concentrations that could potentially 
contribute to an exceedance of the EPA recommended water quality 
criteria. Existing DoD management practices provide for the clean-up of 
oil and other substances spilled during routine maintenance. These 
practices reduce the environmental effects of the discharge. 
Prohibiting the washdown of flight decks and restricting the discharge 
of deck runoff and the associated constituents of concern would protect 
the quality of the receiving waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that vessels prohibit flight 
deck washdowns and minimize deck washdowns while in port and in 
federally-protected-waters. Additionally, before deck washdowns occur, 
exposed decks must be broom cleaned and on-deck debris, garbage, paint 
chips, residues, and spills must be removed, collected, and disposed of 
onshore in accordance with any applicable solid waste or hazardous 
waste management and disposal requirements. If a deck washdown or above 
water line hull cleaning would create a discharge, the washdown or 
above water line cleaning must be conducted with minimally-toxic and 
phosphate free soaps, cleaners, and detergents. The use of soaps that 
are labeled as toxic is prohibited. All soaps and cleaners must be used 
as directed by the label. Furthermore, soaps, cleaners, and detergents 
should not be caustic and must be biodegradable. Where feasible, 
machinery on deck must have coamings or drip pans where necessary to 
collect any oily discharge that may leak from machinery and prevent 
spills. The drip pans must be drained to a waste container for proper 
disposal onshore in accordance with any applicable oil and hazardous 
substance management and disposal requirements. The presence of 
floating solids, visible foam, halogenated phenol compounds, and 
dispersants and surfactants in deck washdowns must be minimized. 
Topside surfaces and other above-water-line portions of the vessel must 
be well-maintained to minimize the discharge of rust and other 
corrosion by-products, cleaning compounds, paint chips, non-skid 
material fragments, and other materials associated with exterior 
topside surface preservation. Residual paint droplets entering the 
water must be minimized when conducting maintenance painting. The 
discharge of unused paint is prohibited. Paint chips and unused paint 
residues must be collected and disposed of onshore in accordance with 
applicable solid waste and hazardous substance management and disposal 
requirements. When vessels conduct underway fuel replenishment, 
scuppers must be plugged to prevent the discharge of oil. Any oil 
spilled must be cleaned, managed, and disposed of onshore in accordance 
with any applicable onshore oil and hazardous substance management and 
disposal requirements.

D. Firemain Systems

1. Nature of Discharge
    Firemain system discharges consist of the surrounding water pumped 
through the firemain system for testing, maintenance, and training, as 
well as secondary uses for the operation of certain vessel systems. 
Firemain systems are essential to the safety of a vessel and crew and 
therefore, require testing and maintenance. The firefighting equipment 
served by a vessel's firemain system includes fire hose stations, 
seawater sprinkling systems, and foam proportioning stations. Any foam 
discharges associated with firemain systems are not covered under this 
performance standard but would need to meet the requirements of 40 CFR 
1700.14 (aqueous film-forming foam). The secondary uses of wet firemain 
systems may include deck washdowns, cooling water for auxiliary 
machinery, eductors, ship stabilization and ballast tank filling, and 
flushing for urinals, commodes, firemain loop recirculation, and 
pulpers.
    Firemain systems for vessels of the Armed Forces fall into two 
categories: Wet and dry firemains. Wet firemains are continuously 
pressurized so that the system has the capacity to provide water 
immediately upon demand. Dry firemains are not charged with water and, 
as a result, do not supply water upon demand. Most Navy surface vessels 
operate wet firemains and most Military Sealift Command vessels, U.S. 
Coast Guard, and U.S. Army vessels use dry firemains.
    The firemain system includes all components between the fire pump 
suction sea chest and the cutout valves to the various services 
including sea chests, fire pumps, valves, piping, fire hoses, and heat 
exchangers. The water passed through the firemain system is drawn from 
the sea and returned to the sea by either discharge over the side from 
fire hoses or through submerged pipe outlets. The seawater discharged 
overboard from the firemain system can contain entrained or dissolved 
materials, principally metals, from natural degradation of the internal 
components of the firemain system itself. Some traces of oil or other 
lubricants may also enter the seawater from valves or pumps. If the 
firemain system is used for a secondary use and a performance standard 
does not exist for that secondary use, then the performance standard 
for the firemain system applies.
    Most vessels of the Armed Forces greater than or equal to 79 feet 
in length are expected to discharge from firemain systems. Most boats 
and service craft that are less than 79 feet in length do not generate 
firemain systems discharge because smaller boats and craft typically 
use portable fire pumps or fire extinguishers. Approximately 20 percent 
of vessels of the Armed Forces produce firemain systems discharge.
    For more information regarding firemain systems, please see the 
firemain systems nature of the discharge report in Appendix A of the 
Technical Development Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    Discharges from the firemain system could negatively impact 
receiving waters due to the possible presence of copper, zinc, nickel, 
aluminum, tin, silver, iron, titanium, and chromium. Many of these 
constituents can be traced to the corrosion and erosion of the firemain 
piping system, valves, or pumps. Consequently, when feasible, the 
maintenance and training discharges from the firemain should occur 
outside

[[Page 69761]]

of ports or other shallow waters. Restricting the discharge from 
firemain systems and the associated constituents of concern would 
protect the quality of the receiving waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    Firemain systems may be discharged for testing and inspections of 
the firemain system. The EPA and DoD propose to require that to the 
greatest extent practicable, firemain system maintenance and training 
be conducted outside of port and as far away from shore as possible. In 
addition, firemain systems must not be discharged in federally-
protected waters except when needed to comply with anchor washdown 
requirements in Subpart 1700.16 (Chain locker effluent). Firemain 
systems may be used for secondary uses if the intake comes directly 
from the surrounding waters or potable water supplies.

E. Graywater

1. Nature of Discharge
    Graywater is galley, bath, and shower water, as well as wastewater 
from lavatory sinks, laundry, interior deck drains, water fountains, 
and shop sinks. On vessels of the Armed Forces, graywater is distinct 
from blackwater. Blackwater is the sewage generated by toilets and 
urinals and is regulated separately. Graywater discharges can contain 
oil and grease, detergent and soap residue, bacteria, pathogens, metals 
(e.g., cadmium, chromium, lead, copper, zinc, silver, nickel, and 
mercury), solids, and nutrients.
    Vessels of the Armed Forces have different methods for collecting 
and discharging graywater. Most vessels are designed to direct 
graywater to the vessel's sewage tanks while pierside for transfer to a 
shore-based treatment facility. These vessels are not generally 
designed to hold graywater for extended periods of time and must drain 
or pump their graywater overboard while operating away from the pier in 
order to preserve holding capacity for sewage tanks. Some vessels with 
either larger graywater holding capacity or U.S. Coast Guard-certified 
marine sanitation devices (MSDs) have the capacity to hold or treat 
graywater for longer periods of time.
    Approximately 20 percent of the vessels of the Armed Forces (i.e., 
aircraft carriers, surface combatants, amphibious support ships, 
submarines, patrol ships, and some auxiliary ships, boats, and service 
craft) generate graywater.
    For more information regarding graywater, please see the graywater 
nature of the discharge in Appendix A of the Technical Development 
Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    Graywater discharges may contain soaps and detergents; oil and 
grease from foods; food residue; nutrients and oxygen demand from food 
residues and detergents; hair; bleach and other cleaners and 
disinfectants; pathogens; and a variety of additional personal care 
products such as moisturizer, deodorant, perfume, and cosmetics. 
Graywater discharge could negatively impact receiving waters due to the 
possible presence of bacteria, pathogens, oil and grease, detergent and 
soap residue, metals (e.g., cadmium, chromium, lead, copper, zinc, 
silver, nickel, and mercury), solids, and nutrients (e.g., phosphates 
from the detergents). Of these constituents, the EPA and DoD have found 
ammonia, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, silver, and zinc in 
concentrations that may exceed the EPA recommended water quality 
criteria. Restricting the discharge of graywater and the associated 
constituents of concern would protect the quality of the receiving 
waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that large quantities of cooking 
oils (e.g., from deep fat fryers), including animal fats and vegetable 
oils, must not be added to graywater systems. The EPA and DoD further 
propose to require that the addition of smaller quantities of cooking 
oils (e.g., from pot and dish rinsing) to the graywater system must be 
minimized when the vessel is within three miles of shore. The EPA and 
DoD propose to require that graywater discharges must not contain oil 
in quantities that cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the 
surface of the water or adjoining shorelines; or cause a sludge or 
emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface of the water or upon 
adjoining shorelines; or contain an oil content above 15 ppm as 
measured by EPA Method 1664a or other appropriate method for 
determination of oil content as accepted by the International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or 
otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the United 
States. In addition, minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners and detergents and 
phosphate free soaps, cleaners, and detergents must be used in the 
galley, scullery, and laundry. These soaps, cleaners, and detergents 
should also be free from bioaccumulative compounds and not lead to 
extreme shifts in the receiving water pH (i.e., pH to fall below 6.0 or 
rise above 9.0).
    For vessels designed with the capacity to hold graywater, EPA and 
DoD propose to require that graywater must not be discharged in 
federally-protected waters or the Great Lakes. In addition, such 
vessels would be prohibited from discharging graywater within one mile 
of shore if an onshore facility is available and use of such a facility 
is reasonable and practicable. When an onshore facility is either not 
available or when use of such a facility is not reasonable and 
practicable, production and discharge of graywater must be minimized 
within one mile of shore.
    For vessels that do not have the capacity to hold graywater, EPA 
and DoD propose to require that graywater production must be minimized 
in federally-protected waters or the Great Lakes. In addition, such 
vessels would be prohibited from discharging graywater within one mile 
of shore if an onshore facility is available and use of such a facility 
is reasonable and practicable. When an onshore facility is either not 
available or use of such a facility is not reasonable and practicable, 
production and discharge of graywater must be minimized within one mile 
of shore.

F. Hull Coating Leachate

1. Nature of Discharge
    Hull coating leachate is defined as the constituents that leach, 
dissolve, ablate, or erode from the paint on the vessel hull into the 
surrounding seawater. Antifouling hull coatings are often used on 
vessel hulls to prevent or inhibit the attachment and growth of aquatic 
life or biofouling and contain biocides which are used to prevent 
biofouling growth on the hull by continuous leaching of biocides into 
the surrounding water. The primary biocide in most antifouling hull 
coatings is copper, although zinc is also used. Copper ablative 
coatings, which are designed to wear or ablate away as a result of 
water flow over a hull, and vinyl antifouling hull coatings, which 
release copper as a result of copper leaching and hydrolysis of rosin 
particles, are the most predominantly used copper-containing coatings. 
Tributyltin (TBT)-based coatings were historically used on vessel 
hulls; however, antifouling coatings with organotin (e.g., TBT) 
compounds used as active ingredients are no longer authorized for use 
in the United States and as such are no longer applied to vessels of 
the Armed Forces.

[[Page 69762]]

    Approximately 50 percent of the vessels of the Armed Forces use 
antifouling hull coatings and contribute to the hull coating leachate 
discharge when they are waterborne.
    For more information regarding hull coating leachate, please see 
the hull coating leachate nature of the discharge report in Appendix A 
of the Technical Development Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    The discharge of hull coating leachate could negatively impact 
receiving waters due to the presence of copper and zinc that are used 
as biocides. While the rate at which the metals leach from coatings is 
relatively slow (4-17 micrograms per square centimeter-day ([mu]g/
cm\2\/day)), metal-leaching coatings can account for significant 
accumulations of metals in receiving waters of ports where numerous 
vessels are present. The adverse impact could be significant in waters 
already classified as impaired due to elevated metal levels, for 
example, copper. While the purpose of antifouling hull coatings is to 
prevent marine organisms from growing on the hull, an effective 
antifoulant should minimize the attachment and transport of non-
indigenous species, decrease fuel usage, and reduce gaseous emissions. 
Restricting the discharge of hull coating leachate and the associated 
constituents of concern would protect the quality of the receiving 
waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that antifouling hull coatings 
subject to FIFRA (7 U.S.C 136 et seq.) must be applied, maintained, and 
removed in a manner consistent with requirements on the coatings' FIFRA 
labels. The EPA and DoD also propose to prohibit the use of biocides or 
toxic materials banned for use in the United States (including those on 
EPA's List of Banned or Severely Restricted Pesticides). This proposed 
requirement would apply to all vessels, including vessels with a hull 
coating applied outside of the United States. Antifouling hull coatings 
must not contain TBT or other organotin compounds as a hull coating 
biocide. Antifouling hull coatings may contain small quantities of 
organotin compounds when the organotin is used as a chemical catalyst 
and is not present above 2,500 milligrams of total tin per kilogram of 
dry paint film. Also, any such antifouling hull coatings used must be 
designed to not slough or peel from the vessel hull. In addition, the 
proposed standard would encourage the use of non-biocidal alternatives 
to copper coatings to the greatest extent practicable. The EPA and DoD 
also recommend to the greatest extent practicable, the use of 
antifouling hull coatings with the lowest effective biocide release 
rates, rapidly biodegradable components (once separated from the hull 
surface), or use of non-biocidal alternatives, such as silicone 
coatings. Finally, to the greatest extent practicable, avoid the use of 
anti-fouling hull coatings on vessels that are regularly removed from 
the water and unlikely to accumulate hull growth.

G. Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge

1. Nature of Discharge
    Motor gasoline and compensating discharge is the seawater taken 
into, and discharged from, motor gasoline tanks to eliminate free space 
where vapors could accumulate. Seawater, which is less buoyant than 
gasoline, occupies the free space to prevent potentially explosive 
gasoline vapors from forming. The retained seawater is then discharged 
when the vessel refills the tanks with gasoline in port or when 
performing maintenance. Motor gasoline and compensating effluent is 
likely to contain residual oils and soluble traces of gasoline 
components and additives, as well as metals. Only U.S. Navy amphibious 
support ships, which represent less than one percent of the vessels of 
the Armed Forces, produce motor gasoline and compensating discharge.
    For more information regarding motor gasoline and compensating 
discharge, please see the motor gasoline and compensating discharge 
nature of the discharge in Appendix A of the Technical Development 
Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    Motor gasoline and compensating discharge could negatively impact 
receiving waters due to the presence of residual oil. The discharge may 
contain traces of gasoline constituents, which generally contain 
alkanes, alkenes, aromatics (e.g., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, 
phenol, and naphthalene), metals, and additives. Analyses of 
compensating discharge have shown that benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, 
phenol, and naphthalene may exceed the EPA recommended water quality 
criteria. Restricting the discharge of motor gasoline and compensating 
discharge and the associated constituents of concern would protect the 
receiving waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that the discharge of motor 
gasoline and compensating effluent must not contain oil in quantities 
that: Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of the 
water or adjoining shorelines; or cause a sludge or emulsion to be 
deposited beneath the surface of the water or upon adjoining 
shorelines; or contain an oil content above 15 ppm as measured by the 
EPA Method 1664a or other appropriate method for determination of oil 
content as accepted by the IMO (e.g., ISO Method 9377) or U.S. Coast 
Guard; or otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the 
United States. In addition, if an oily sheen is observed, the EPA and 
DoD propose to require that any spill or overflow of oil must be 
cleaned up, recorded, and reported to the National Response Center 
immediately. The discharge of motor gasoline and compensating discharge 
must be minimized in port and is prohibited in federally-protected 
waters.

H. Sonar Dome Discharge

1. Nature of Discharge
    Sonar dome discharge occurs from the leaching of antifouling 
materials into the surrounding seawater and the release of seawater or 
freshwater retained within the sonar dome. Sonar domes are structures 
located on the hull of ships and submarines, used for the housing of 
electronic equipment for detection, navigation, and ranging. The shape 
and design pressure in sonar domes are maintained by filling them with 
water. Antifouling materials are used on the exterior of the sonar dome 
to prevent fouling which degrades sonar performance. Navy surface ship 
domes are made of rubber with an exterior layer that is impregnated 
with TBT. On submarines and Military Sealift Command surface ships, the 
sonar domes are made of steel or glass reinforced plastic and do not 
contain TBT but are covered with an antifouling coating.
    The discharge of the water from the interior of the sonar domes 
primarily occurs when the vessel is pierside and is intermittent 
depending on when the dome is emptied for maintenance. On average, 
sonar domes on surface vessels are emptied twice a year and sonar domes 
on submarines are emptied once a year. The discharge of sonar dome 
water can range between 300 gallons to 74,000 gallons depending on the 
size of the sonar dome and the type of maintenance event.

[[Page 69763]]

    Approximately ten percent of vessels of the Armed Forces generate 
sonar dome discharge. These vessel types include auxiliary ships, 
submarines, and surface combatants.
    For more information regarding sonar dome discharge, please see the 
sonar dome nature of the discharge report in Appendix A of the 
Technical Development Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    Sonar dome discharge could negatively impact receiving waters due 
to the possible presence of antifouling agents on the exterior rubber 
boots of the sonar dome, as well as from tin, zinc, copper, nickel, and 
epoxy paint from a sonar dome interior. The concentrations of some of 
these components are estimated to exceed the EPA recommended water 
quality criteria. Restricting the sonar dome discharge and the 
associated constituents of concern would protect the receiving waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that the water inside the sonar 
dome not be discharged for maintenance activities unless the use of a 
drydock for the maintenance activity is not feasible. The water inside 
the sonar dome may be discharged for equalization of pressure between 
the interior and exterior of the dome. This would include the discharge 
of water required to protect the shape, integrity, and structure of the 
sonar dome due to internal and external pressures and forces. The EPA 
and DoD also propose to require that a biofouling chemical that is 
bioaccumulative should not be applied to the exterior of a sonar dome 
when a non-bioaccumulative alternative is available.

I. Submarine Bilgewater

1. Nature of Discharge
    Submarine bilgewater is the wastewater from a variety of sources 
that accumulates in the lowest part of the submarine (i.e., bilge). 
Submarine bilgewater consists of a mixture of discharges and leakage 
from a wide variety of sources (e.g., seawater accumulation, normal 
water leakage from machinery, and fresh water washdowns), and includes 
all the wastewater collected in the bilge compartment, oily waste 
holding tank, or any other oily water or holding tank. Consequently, 
the discharge can contain a variety of constituents including cleaning 
agents, solvents, fuel, lubricating oils, and hydraulic oils. 
Submarines have a drain system consisting of a series of oily bilge 
collecting tanks and a waste oil collecting tank or tank complex to 
collect oily wastewater. Discharges from these tanks occur from the 
bottom of the tank after gravity separation. Some submarines have 
baffles to enhance the separation of oil and water.
    Approximately one percent of the vessels of the Armed Forces are 
submarines and generate submarine bilgewater. Most submarines do not 
discharge bilgewater while in transit within waters subject to UNDS and 
instead hold and transfer submarine bilgewater to a shore-based 
facility. However, one class of submarines (SSN 688) discharges some of 
the water phase of the separated bilgewater collecting tank, as 
necessary.
    For more information regarding submarine bilgewater, please see the 
submarine bilgewater nature of the discharge report in the Technical 
Development Document--EPA-821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    Submarine bilgewater discharge could negatively impact receiving 
waters due to the possible presence of oil and grease, volatile and 
semivolatile organic compounds, and metals. These constituents occur in 
cleaning agents, solvents, fuel, lubricating oils, and hydraulic oils 
used on submarines and may be present in concentrations that could 
contribute to an exceedance of the EPA recommended water quality 
criteria. Restricting the discharge of submarine bilgewater and the 
associated constituents of concern would help to protect the receiving 
waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that the discharge of submarine 
bilgewater must not contain oil in quantities that cause a film or 
sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of the water or adjoining 
shorelines; or cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the 
surface of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or contain an oil 
content above 15 ppm as measured by the EPA Method 1664a or other 
appropriate method for determination of oil content as accepted by the 
IMO (e.g., ISO Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or otherwise are 
harmful to the public health or welfare of the United States. In 
addition, the discharge of submarine bilgewater must not contain 
dispersants, detergents, emulsifiers, chemicals, or other substances to 
remove the appearance of a visible sheen. The proposed performance 
standard would not, however, prohibit the use of these materials in 
machinery spaces for the purposes of cleaning and maintenance 
activities associated with vessel equipment and structures. The 
discharge of submarine bilgewater also must only contain substances 
that are produced in the normal operation of a vessel. Oil solidifiers, 
flocculants, or other additives (excluding any dispersants or 
surfactants) may be used to enhance oil/water separation during 
processing in an oil-water separator only if such solidifiers, 
flocculants, or other additives are minimized in the discharge and do 
not alter the chemical composition of the oils in the discharge. 
Solidifiers, flocculants, or other additives must not be directly 
added, or otherwise combined with, the water in the bilge.
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that submarine bilgewater 
discharges must not occur while the submarine is in port, when the port 
has the capability to collect and transfer the bilgewater to an onshore 
facility. If the submarine is not in port, then any such discharge must 
be minimized and discharged as far from shore as technologically 
feasible. The EPA and DoD also propose to require that submarine 
bilgewater discharges be minimized in federally-protected waters. 
Finally, submarines would need to employ management practices to 
minimize leakage of oil and other harmful pollutants into the bilge.

J. Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water Separator Effluent (OWSE)

1. Nature of Discharge
    Surface vessel bilgewater is the wastewater from a variety of 
sources that accumulates in the lowest part of the vessel (the bilge) 
and the oil-water separator effluent is produced when the wastewater is 
processed by an oil-water separator. Bilgewater consists of water and 
other residue that accumulates in a compartment of the vessel's hull or 
is collected in the oily waste holding tank or any other oily water 
holding tank. The primary sources of drainage into the bilge are the 
main engine room(s) and auxiliary machinery room(s), which house the 
vessel's propulsion system and auxiliary systems (i.e., steam boilers 
and water purification systems), respectively.
    The composition of bilgewater varies from vessel-to-vessel and from 
day-to-day on the same vessel. The propulsion and auxiliary systems use 
fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, solvents, and cleaning 
chemicals as part of routine operation and maintenance. Small 
quantities of these materials enter

[[Page 69764]]

the bilge as leaks and spills in the engineering spaces. Bilgewater 
generation rates vary by vessel and by vessel class because of the 
differences in vessel age, shipboard equipment (e.g., type of 
propulsion system), operations, whether the vessel segregates its non-
oily wastewater from the bilge, and other procedures.
    Approximately 75 percent of vessels of the Armed Forces generate 
surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent; submarines and 
some of the smaller boats and service craft do not generate surface 
vessel bilgewater discharge/oil-water separator effluent. Oil-water 
separator systems are installed on most vessels of the Armed Forces to 
collect the waste oil for onshore disposal. Some smaller vessels are 
not outfitted with oil-water separator systems; thus, bilgewater is 
stored for onshore disposal.
    For more information regarding surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water 
separator effluent, please see the surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water 
separator nature of the discharge report in Appendix A of the Technical 
Development Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    Surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent could 
negatively impact receiving waters due to the possible presence of oil 
and grease, volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, and metals. 
These constituents exist in cleaning agents, solvents, fuel, 
lubricating oils, and hydraulic oils and may be present in 
concentrations that could potentially contribute to an exceedance of 
the EPA recommended water quality criteria. Restricting the discharge 
of surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent and the 
associated constituents of concern would protect the receiving waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that surface vessels equipped 
with an oil-water separator must not discharge bilgewater and must only 
discharge oil-water separator effluent through an oil-content monitor. 
All surface vessels greater than 400 gross tons must be equipped with 
an oil-water separator. If measurements for gross tonnage are not 
available for a particular vessel, full displacement measurements may 
be used instead. The EPA and DoD also propose to require that the 
discharge of oil-water separator effluent not occur in port if the port 
has the capability to collect and transfer oil-water separator effluent 
to an onshore facility. In addition, the discharge of oil-water 
separator effluent must be minimized within one mile of shore, must 
occur at speeds greater than six knots if the vessel is underway, and 
must be minimized in federally-protected waters.
    For surface vessels not equipped with an oil-water separator, the 
EPA and DoD propose to require that bilgewater must not be discharged 
if the vessel has the capability to collect, hold, and transfer to an 
onshore facility.
    In addition, the discharge of bilgewater/oil-water separator 
effluent must not contain dispersants, detergents, emulsifiers, 
chemicals, or other substances to remove the appearance of a visible 
sheen. The proposed performance standard would not, however, prohibit 
the use of these materials in machinery spaces for the purposes of 
cleaning and maintenance activities associated with vessel equipment 
and structures. The discharge of bilgewater/oil-water separator 
effluent must contain substances that are produced in the normal 
operation of a vessel. For the discharge of oil-water separator 
effluent, oil solidifiers, flocculants or other additives (excluding 
any dispersants or surfactants) may be used to enhance oil/water 
separation during processing only if such solidifiers, flocculants, or 
other additives are minimized and do not alter the chemical composition 
of the oils in the discharge. Solidifiers, flocculants, or other 
additives must not be directly added, or otherwise combined with, the 
water in the bilge.
    The discharge of surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator 
effluent must not contain oil in quantities that cause a film or sheen 
upon or discoloration of the surface of the water or adjoining 
shorelines; or cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the 
surface of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or contain an oil 
content above 15 ppm as measured by the EPA Method 1664a or other 
appropriate method for determination of oil content as accepted by the 
International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method 9377) or 
U.S. Coast Guard; or otherwise are harmful to the public health or 
welfare of the United States.
    When a visible sheen is observed as a result of a surface vessel 
bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent discharge, the discharge must 
be suspended immediately until the problem is corrected. Any spill or 
overflow of oil or other engine fluids must be cleaned up, recorded, 
and reported immediately to the National Response Center. The surface 
vessel must also employ management practices to minimize leakage of oil 
and other harmful pollutants into the bilge. Such practices may include 
regular inspection and maintenance of equipment and remediation of oil 
spills or overflows into the bilge using oil-absorbent or other spill 
clean-up materials.

K. Underwater Ship Husbandry

1. Nature of Discharge
    Underwater ship husbandry discharges occur during the inspection, 
maintenance, cleaning, and repair of hulls and hull appendages while a 
vessel is waterborne. Underwater ship husbandry includes activities 
such as hull cleaning, fiberglass repair, welding, sonar dome repair, 
propeller lay-up, non-destructive testing/inspections, masker belt 
repairs, and painting operations. Underwater ship husbandry operations 
are normally conducted pierside, and could result in the release of 
metals (copper or zinc) or the introduction of non-indigenous species.
    All vessels of the Armed Forces greater than or equal to 79 feet in 
length and some boats and service craft less than 79 feet in length, 
comprising 60 percent of the vessels, are expected to generate 
underwater ship husbandry discharge. While underwater ship husbandry 
discharges occur during the maintenance of all classes of vessels, many 
vessels less than 79 feet in length are regularly pulled from the water 
for hull maintenance or stored on land.
    For more information regarding underwater ship husbandry, please 
see the underwater ship husbandry nature of the discharge report in 
Appendix A of the Technical Development Document--EPA 821-R-99-001.
2. Environmental Effects
    Underwater ship husbandry could negatively impact receiving waters 
due to the possible presence of metals and non-indigenous species. With 
the exception of underwater hull cleaning, other underwater ship 
husbandry discharges have a low potential for causing an adverse 
environmental effect. Metals, such as copper and zinc from antifouling 
coatings, are released during underwater hull cleaning in 
concentrations that have the potential to cause an adverse 
environmental effect and could contribute to an exceedance of the EPA 
recommended water quality criteria. The potential also exists for 
release of non-indigenous species during hull cleaning. Restricting the 
discharge from underwater ship husbandry activities and the associated

[[Page 69765]]

constituents of concern would protect the receiving waters.
3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control Device Performance Standard
    The EPA and DoD propose to require that to the greatest extent 
practicable, vessel hulls with antifouling hull coatings must not be 
cleaned within 90 days after the antifouling coating application. 
Vessel hulls must be inspected, maintained, and cleaned to minimize the 
removal and discharge of antifouling hull coatings and transport of 
fouling organisms. To the greatest extent practicable, rigorous vessel 
hull cleanings must take place in drydock or at a land-based facility 
where the removed fouling organisms or spent antifouling hull coatings 
can be disposed of onshore in accordance with any applicable solid 
waste or hazardous substance management and disposal requirements. The 
proposed performance standard would also require that vessel hull 
cleanings be conducted in a manner that minimizes the release of 
antifouling hull coatings and fouling organisms (e.g., less abrasive 
techniques and softer brushes to the greatest extent practicable). 
Vessel hull cleanings must also adhere to any applicable cleaning 
requirements found on the coatings' FIFRA label. For vessels less than 
79 feet in length, the proposed standard would require inspection of 
vessels before overland transport to a different body of water to 
control invasive species. For vessels greater than 79 feet in length, 
the proposed standard would require that to the greatest extent 
practicable, vessel hulls with a copper-based antifouling coating must 
not be cleaned within 365 days after the antifouling coating 
application.

IV. Additional Information of the Proposed Rule

    This section provides an overview of the additional amendments 
proposed for 40 CFR part 1700. These proposed changes include the 
reservation of sections for the remaining discharge standards.
1. Reservation of Sections
    As noted previously, the EPA and DoD are proposing the Phase II 
standards in three batches. For the purpose of proposing the remaining 
batches, the proposal reserves the following sections for those future 
rulemaking actions:

Section 1700.17 Clean Ballast;
Section 1700.18 Compensated Fuel Ballast;
Section 1700.21 Dirty Ballast

V. Related Acts of Congress and Executive Orders

    Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders 
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action is not a significant regulatory action and was 
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This action does not impose any new information collection burden, 
as the EPA and DoD have determined that Phase II of UNDS does not 
create any additional collection of information beyond that already 
mandated under the Phase I of UNDS. The Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) has previously approved the information collection requirements 
contained in the existing regulations (40 CFR part 1700) under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and 
has assigned OMB control number 2040-0187. The OMB control numbers for 
the EPA's regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    We certify that this action will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This 
action will not impose any requirements on small entities.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in 
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. The action implements mandates specifically and 
explicitly set forth in CWA section 312 without the exercise of any 
policy discretion by EPA.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    The EPA and DoD concluded that the proposed rule, once finalized in 
Phase III, will have federalism implications. Once the proposed 
discharge performance standards are promulgated in Phase III by DoD, 
adoption and enforcement of new or existing state or local regulations 
for the discharges will be preempted.
    Accordingly, the EPA and DoD provide the following federalism 
summary impact statement. During Phase I of UNDS, the EPA and DoD 
conducted two rounds of consultation meetings (i.e., outreach 
briefings) to allow states and local officials to have meaningful and 
timely input into the development of the rulemaking. Twenty-two states 
accepted the offer to be briefed on UNDS and discuss state concerns. 
The EPA and DoD provided clarification on the technical aspects of the 
UNDS process, including preliminary discharge determinations and 
analytical information supporting decisions to control or not control 
discharges. State representatives were provided with discharge 
summaries containing the description, analysis, and preliminary 
determination of each of the 39 discharges from vessels of the Armed 
Forces--25 of which were determined to require control.
    During Phase II, the EPA and DoD consulted again with state 
representatives early in the process of developing the proposed 
regulation. On March 9, 2016, the EPA held a Federalism consultation in 
Washington, DC, and invited representatives from states and political 
subdivisions of states in order to obtain meaningful and timely input 
in the development of the proposed discharge standards. The EPA and DoD 
informed the state representatives that the two agencies planned to use 
the NPDES VGPs effluent limitations as a baseline for developing the 
proposed discharge performance standards for the 25 discharges 
identified in Phase I as requiring control. During the Federalism 
consultation period, the EPA and DoD did not receive any substantive 
comments from state and local government entities.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implication as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. The UNDS rulemaking will not impact vessels 
operated by tribes because the rule only regulates discharges from 
vessels of the Armed Forces. However, tribes may be interested in this 
action because vessels of the Armed Forces, including U.S. Coast Guard 
vessels, may operate in or near tribal waters. The EPA hosted a 
National Teleconference on March 23, 2016, in order to obtain 
meaningful and timely input during the development of the proposed 
discharge standards. The EPA and DoD informed the representatives that 
the two agencies planned to use the NPDES VGPs effluent limitations as 
a baseline for developing the discharge performance standards for the 
25 discharges identified in Phase I as requiring

[[Page 69766]]

control. During the Tribal consultation period, the EPA and DoD did not 
receive any substantive comments from the Indian Tribal Governments.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is 
not economically significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and 
because the EPA and DoD do not believe the environmental health or 
safety risks addressed by this action present a disproportionate risk 
to children. The 11 proposed discharge standards are designed to 
control discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of 
the Armed Forces that could adversely affect human health and the 
environment. The standards reduce the impacts to the receiving waters 
and any person using the receiving waters, regardless of age.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Concern Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 1321, because it is 
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    This action involves technical standards. The EPA and DoD propose 
to use ISO Method 9377--determination of hydrocarbon oil index. ISO 
Method 9377 is a voluntary consensus standard developed by an 
independent, non-governmental international organization.

J. Executive Order 13112: Invasive Species

    Executive Order 13112, entitled ``Invasive Species'' (64 FR 6183, 
February 8, 1999), requires each federal agency, whose actions may 
affect the status of invasive species, to identify such actions, and, 
subject to the availability of appropriations, use relevant programs 
and authorities to, among other things, prevent, detect, control, and 
monitor the introduction of invasive species. As defined by this 
Executive Order, ``invasive species'' means an alien species whose 
introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental 
harm or harm to human health.
    As part of the environmental effects analyses, the EPA and DoD 
considered the control of invasive species when developing the proposed 
discharge performance standards for all 11 discharges (See Section II). 
For example, the underwater ship husbandry discharge performance 
standard requires the inspection of all vessels under 79 feet in length 
for the detection and removal of invasive species prior to transport 
overland from one body of water to another. This requirement as well as 
others within the proposed discharge standards would help to prevent or 
control the introduction of invasive species into the receiving waters.

K. Executive Order 13089: Coral Reef Protection

    Executive Order 13089, entitled ``Coral Reef Protection'' (63 FR 
32701, June 16, 1998), requires all federal agencies to identify 
actions that may affect U.S. coral reef ecosystems; utilize their 
programs and authorities to protect the conditions of such ecosystems; 
and to the extent permitted by law, ensure that any actions they 
authorize, fund, or carry out will not degrade the conditions of such 
ecosystems. The proposed discharge standards are designed to control or 
eliminate the discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels 
of the Armed Forces, ultimately minimizing the potential for causing 
adverse impacts to the marine environment including coral reefs.

L. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    The EPA and DoD believe that this action does not have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority populations, low-income populations and/or 
indigenous peoples, as specified in Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, 
February, 16, 1994). The proposed discharge performance standards only 
apply to vessels of the Armed Forces and ultimately increase 
environmental protection.

VI. Appendix A--Description of Vessels of the Armed Forces

[[Page 69767]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP07OC16.006

    Table A-1 provides information regarding the composition of vessels 
of the Armed Forces by vessel type and vessel size.
    Aircraft Carriers: These are the largest vessels of the Armed 
Forces. They are designed primarily for conducting combat operations by 
fixed wing aircraft that are launched with catapults. Nuclear energy 
powers all vessels in this group. Aircraft carriers exceed 1,000 feet 
in length, and have crews of 4,000 to 6,000. Except during transit in 
and out of port, these vessels operate predominantly seaward of waters 
subject to UNDS.
    Amphibious Support Ships: These are large vessels, ranging in 
length from 569 feet to 847 feet, designed to support amphibious 
assault operations. Many of these vessels have large clean ballast 
tanks used to lower and raise the hull during amphibious operations, 
and welldecks to support the recovery of landing crafts and amphibious 
vehicles. These large ocean-going vessels may operate within waters 
subject to UNDS during training and testing of equipment.
    Auxiliary Ships: This is a large and diverse group of self-
propelled vessels with lengths equal to or greater than 79 feet in 
length and designed to provide general support to either combatant 
forces or shore-based establishments. These ships fulfill multiple 
duties including, but are not limited to, transporting supplies (e.g., 
fuel, ammunitions) and troops to and from the theater of operations, 
executing mine countermeasures operations, conducting research, 
maintaining navigations systems (e.g., buoys), and recovering targets 
and drones. This vessel class has crew sizes ranging from 10 to 200 
people. Depending on mission and operation requirements, these vessels 
operate both within and seaward of waters subject to UNDS.
    Boats: This type of vessel encompasses 81 percent of the vessels of 
the Armed Forces and includes all self-propelled vessels less than 79 
feet in length. These vessels are used for such roles as security, 
combat operations, rescue, and training. Because of their relatively 
small size, these vessels have small crews that range from 1 to 19, and 
produce limited sources of liquid discharges. These vessels operate 
predominantly within waters subject to UNDS, but may operate seaward of 
waters subject to UNDS when deployed from larger ships.
    Patrol Ships: These are self-propelled vessels with lengths equal 
to or greater than 79 feet in length, and are designed to conduct 
patrol duties (i.e., maritime homeland security, law enforcement, and 
national defense missions). Vessels in this group have crew sizes 
ranging

[[Page 69768]]

from 10 to 200. Some vessels in this group may operate seaward of 
waters subject to UNDS, but the majority predominantly operate within 
waters subject to UNDS conducting security patrol missions.
    Service Craft: This is a diverse group of non-self-propelled vessel 
classes designed to provide general support to other vessels in the 
Armed Forces fleet or shore-based establishments. Vessel classes in 
this group have an average length of 155 feet with more than 95 percent 
of them being between 40 feet and 310 feet. While most of these vessels 
have a very limited crew or no crew, barracks craft can provide 
sleeping accommodations for 100 to 1,200 crew members. These vessels 
include multiple barges and lighter designs, dredges, floating dry-
docks, floating cranes, floating causeway ferries, floating roll-on-off 
discharge facilities, dry deck shelters, floating workshops, and 
floating barracks. These vessels operate predominantly within waters 
subject to UNDS.
    Submarines: These submersible combat vessels powered with nuclear 
energy can fulfill combatant, auxiliary, or research and development 
roles. Except during transit in and out of port, these vessels operate 
predominantly seaward of waters subject to UNDS.
    Surface Combatants: These are surface ships designed primarily to 
engage in attacks against airborne, surface, sub-surface, and shore 
targets. Vessel classes in this group range in length from 378 feet to 
567 feet, and have crew sizes that range from 40 for the Littoral 
Combat Ship to under 400 for a Guided Missile Destroyer or Cruiser. 
Except during transit in and out of port, these vessels operate 
predominantly seaward of waters subject to UNDS.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 1700

    Environmental protection, Armed Forces, Vessels, Coastal zone, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water pollution control.

    Dated: September 16, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
    Dated: September 26, 2016.
Dennis McGinn,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations, and 
Environment.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, title 40, chapter VII, of 
the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 1700--UNIFORM NATIONAL DISCHARGE STANDARDS FOR VESSELS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES

0
1. The authority citation for 40 CFR part 1700 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1322, 1361.

Subpart A--Scope

0
2. Section 1700.3 is amended by adding in alphabetical order 
definitions for ``Bioaccumulative'', ``Biodegradable'', 
``Environmentally acceptable lubricants'', ``Great Lakes'', 
``Minimally-toxic'', ``Minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners, and 
detergents'', ``Not bioaccumulative'', ``Phosphate free soaps, 
cleaners, and detergents'', and ``State'' to read as follows:


Sec.  1700.3  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Bioaccumulative means the opposite of not bioaccumulative.
    Biodegradable means the following for purposes of the standards:
    (1) Regarding environmentally acceptable lubricants and greases, 
biodegradable means lubricant formulations that contain at least 90% 
(weight in weight concentration or w/w) or grease formulations that 
contain at least 75% (w/w) of a constituent substance or constituent 
substances (only stated substances present above 0.10% must be 
assessed) that each demonstrate either the removal of at least 70% of 
dissolved organic carbon, production of at least 60% of the theoretical 
carbon dioxide, or consumption of at least 60% of the theoretical 
oxygen demand within 28 days. Test methods include: Organization for 
Economic Co-operation and Development Test Guidelines 301 A-F, 306, and 
310, ASTM 5864, ASTM D-7373, OCSPP Harmonized Guideline 835.3110, and 
International Organization for Standardization 14593:1999. For 
lubricant formulations, the 10% (w/w) of the formulation that need not 
meet the above biodegradability requirements, up to 5% (w/w) may be 
non-biodegradable, but not bioaccumulative, while the remaining 5-10% 
must be inherently biodegradable. For grease formulations, the 25% (w/
w) of the formulation that need not meet the above biodegradability 
requirement, the constituent substances may be either inherently 
biodegradable or non-biodegradable, but may not be bioaccumulative. 
Test methods to demonstrate inherent biodegradability include: OECD 
Test Guidelines 302C (>70% biodegradation after 28 days) or OECD Test 
Guidelines 301 A-F (>20% but <60% biodegradation after 28 days).
    (2) Regarding cleaning products, biodegradable means products that 
demonstrate either the removal of at least 70% of dissolved organic 
carbon, production of at least 60% of the theoretical carbon dioxide, 
or consumption of at least 60% of the theoretical oxygen demand within 
28 days. Test methods include: Organization for Economic Cooperation 
and Development Test Guidelines 301 A-F, 306, and 310, and 
International organization for Standardization 14593:1999.
    (3) Regarding biocidal substances, biodegradable means a compound 
or mixture that yields 60% of theoretical maximum carbon dioxide and 
demonstrate a removal of at least 70% of dissolved organic carbon 
within 28 days as described in EPA 712-C-98-075 (OPPTS 835.3100 Aerobic 
Aquatic Biodegradation).
* * * * *
    Environmentally acceptable lubricants means lubricants that are 
biodegradable, minimally-toxic, and not bioaccumulative as defined in 
this subpart. The following labeling programs and organizations meet 
the definition of being environmentally acceptable lubricants: Blue 
Angel, European Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, the Swedish Standards SS 155434 
and 155470, Safer Choice, and the Convention for the Protection of the 
Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) requirements.
* * * * *
    Great Lakes means waters of the United States extending to the 
international maritime boundary with Canada in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, 
Lake Huron (including Lake St. Clair), Lake Michigan, and Lake 
Superior, and the connecting channels (Saint Mary's River, Saint Clair 
River, Detroit River, Niagara River, and Saint Lawrence River to the 
international maritime boundary with Canada).
* * * * *
    Minimally-toxic means a substance must pass either OECD 201, 202, 
and 203 for acute toxicity testing, or OECD 210 and 211 for chronic 
toxicity testing. For purposes of the standards, equivalent toxicity 
data for marine species, including methods ISO/DIS 10253 for algae, ISO 
TC147/SC5/W62 for crustacean, and OSPAR 2005 for fish, may be 
substituted for OECD 201, 202, and 203. If a substance is evaluated for 
the formulation and main constituents, the LC50 of fluids must be at 
least 100 mg/L and the LC50 of greases, two-stroke oils, and all other

[[Page 69769]]

total loss lubricants must be at least 1000 mg/L. If a substance is 
evaluated for each constituent substance, rather than the complete 
formulation and main compounds, then constituents comprising less than 
20% of fluids can have an LC50 between 10-100 mg/L or a no-observed-
effect concentration (NOEC) between 1-10 mg/L, constituents comprising 
less than 5% of fluids can have an LC50 between 1-10 mg/L or a NOEC 
between 0.1-1 mg/L, and constituents comprising less than 1% of fluids, 
can have an LC50 less than 1 mg/L or a NOEC between 0-0.1 mg/L.
    Minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners, and detergents means any substance 
or mixture of substances which has an acute aquatic toxicity value 
(LC50) corresponding to a concentration greater than 10 ppm and does 
not produce byproducts with an acute aquatic toxicity value (LC50) 
corresponding to a concentration less than 10 ppm. Minimally-toxic 
soaps, cleaners, and detergents typically contain little to no 
nonylphenols.
* * * * *
    Not bioaccumulative means any of following: the partition 
coefficient in the marine environment is log Kow <3 or >7 using test 
methods OECD 117 and 107; molecular mass > 800 Daltons; molecular 
diameter > 1.5 nanometer; bioconcentration factor (BCF) or 
bioaccumulation factor (BAF) is < 100 L/kg, using OECD 305, OCSPP 
850.1710, OCSPP 850.1730, or a field-measured BAF; or polymer with 
molecular weight fraction below 1,000 g/mol is <1%.
* * * * *
    Phosphate free soaps, cleaners, and detergents means any substance 
or mixture of substances which contain, by weight, 0.5% or less of 
phosphates or derivatives of phosphates.
    State means a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific 
Islands.
* * * * *
0
3. Revise subpart D to read as follows:
Subpart D--Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance Standards
Sec.
1700.14 [Reserved]
1700.15 Catapult water brake tank and post launch retraction 
exhaust.
1700.16 through 1700.18 [Reserved]
1700.19 Controllable pitch propeller hydraulic fluid.
1700.20 Deck runoff.
1700.21 through 1700.23 [Reserved]
1700.24 Firemain systems.
1700.25 [Reserved].
1700.26 Graywater.
1700.27 Hull coating leachate.
1700.28 Motor gasoline and compensating discharge.
1700.29 through 1700.33 [Reserved]
1700.34 Sonar dome discharge.
1700.35 Submarine bilgewater.
1700.36 Surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent.
1700.37 Underwater ship husbandry.
1700.38 through 1700.42 [Reserved]

Subpart D--Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance 
Standards


Sec.  1700.14  [Reserved]


Sec.  1700.15  Catapult water brake tank & post-launch retraction 
exhaust.

    (a) Discharges of catapult water brake tank effluent are 
prohibited.
    (b) The number of post-launch retractions must be limited to the 
minimum number required to test and validate the system and conduct 
qualification and operational training.


Sec.  1700.16 through 1700.18  [Reserved]


Sec.  1700.19  Controllable pitch propeller hydraulic fluid.

    (a) The protective seals on controllable pitch propellers must be 
maintained to minimize the leaking of hydraulic fluid.
    (b) To the greatest extent practicable, maintenance activities on 
controllable pitch propellers must be conducted when a vessel is in 
drydock. If maintenance and repair activities must occur when the 
vessel is not in drydock, appropriate spill response equipment (e.g., 
oil booms) must be used to contain and clean any oil leakage.
    (c) The discharge of controllable pitch propeller hydraulic fluid 
must not contain oil in quantities that:
    (1) Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of 
the water or adjoining shorelines; or
    (2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface 
of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or
    (3) Contain an oil content above 15 ppm as measured by EPA Method 
1664a or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as 
accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO 
Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
    (4) Otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the 
United States.


Sec.  1700.20  Deck runoff.

    (a) Flight deck washdowns are prohibited.
    (b) Minimize deck washdowns while in port and in federally-
protected waters.
    (c) Prior to performing a deck washdown, exposed decks must be 
broom cleaned and on-deck debris, garbage, paint chips, residues, and 
spills must be removed, collected, and disposed of onshore in 
accordance with any applicable solid waste or hazardous substance 
management and disposal requirements.
    (d) If a deck washdown or above water line hull cleaning will 
result in a discharge, it must be conducted with minimally-toxic and 
phosphate free soaps, cleaners, and detergents. The use of soaps that 
are labeled toxic is prohibited. Furthermore, soaps, cleaners, and 
detergents should not be caustic and must be biodegradable. All soaps 
and cleaners must be used as directed by the label.
    (e) Where feasible, machinery on deck must have coamings or drip 
pans, where necessary, to prevent spills and collect any oily discharge 
that may leak from machinery. The drip pans must be drained to a waste 
container for disposal onshore in accordance with any applicable oil 
and hazardous substance management and disposal requirements. The 
presence of floating solids, visible foam, halogenated phenol 
compounds, dispersants, and surfactants in deck washdowns must be 
minimized.
    (f) Topside surfaces and other above water line portions of the 
vessel must be well maintained to minimize the discharge of rust (and 
other corrosion by-products), cleaning compounds, paint chips, non-skid 
material fragments, and other materials associated with exterior 
topside surface preservation. Residual paint droplets entering the 
water must be minimized when conducting maintenance painting. The 
discharge of unused paint is prohibited. Paint chips and unused paint 
residues must be collected and disposed of onshore in accordance with 
any applicable solid waste and hazardous substance management and 
disposal requirements.
    (g) When vessels conduct underway fuel replenishment, scuppers must 
be plugged to prevent the discharge of oil. Any oil spilled must be 
cleaned, managed, and disposed of onshore in accordance with any 
applicable oil and hazardous substance management and disposal 
requirements.


Sec.  1700.21 through 1700.23  [Reserved]


Sec.  1700.24  Firemain systems

    (a) Firemain systems may be discharged for testing and inspections 
of the firemain system. To the greatest extent practicable, conduct 
maintenance and training outside of port and as far away from shore as 
possible. Firemain systems may be discharged in port for certification, 
maintenance, and training

[[Page 69770]]

requirements if the intake comes directly from the surrounding waters 
or potable water supplies and there are no additions (e.g., aqueous 
film-forming foam) to the discharge.
    (b) Firemain systems must not be discharged in federally-protected 
waters except when needed to washdown the anchor chain to comply with 
anchor washdown requirements in Sec.  1700.16.
    (c) Firemain systems may be used for secondary uses if the intake 
comes directly from the surrounding waters or potable water supplies.


Sec.  1700.25  [Reserved]


Sec.  1700.26  Graywater.

    (a) For discharges from vessels that have the capacity to hold 
graywater:
    (1) Graywater must not be discharged in federally-protected waters 
or the Great Lakes.
    (2) Graywater must not be discharged within one mile of shore if an 
onshore facility is available and disposal at such a facility is 
reasonable and practicable.
    (3) Production and discharge of graywater must be minimized within 
one mile of shore when an onshore facility is either not available or 
use of such a facility is not reasonable and practicable.
    (b) For discharges from vessels that do not have the capacity to 
hold graywater:
    (1) Production and discharge of graywater must be minimized in 
federally-protected waters or the Great Lakes.
    (2) Graywater must not be discharged within one mile of shore if an 
onshore facility is available and disposal at such a facility is 
reasonable and practicable.
    (3) Production and discharge of graywater must be minimized within 
one mile of shore when an onshore facility is either not available or 
use of such a facility is not reasonable and practicable.
    (c) Large quantities of cooking oils (e.g., from a deep fat fryer), 
including animal fats and vegetable oils, must not be added to the 
graywater system. Small quantities of cooking oils (e.g., from pot and 
dish rinsing) must be minimized if added to the graywater system within 
three miles of shore.
    (d) Minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners, and detergents and phosphate 
free soaps, cleaners, and detergents must be used in the galley, 
scullery, and laundry. These soaps, cleaners, and detergents should 
also be free from bioaccumulative compounds and not lead to extreme 
shifts in the receiving water pH. For purposes of this subparagraph, 
extreme shifts means causing the receiving water pH to fall below 6.0 
or rise above 9.0 as a direct result of the discharge.
    (e) The discharge of graywater must not contain oil in quantities 
that:
    (1) Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of 
the water or adjoining shorelines; or
    (2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface 
of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or
    (3) Contain an oil content above 15 ppm as measured by EPA Method 
1664a or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as 
accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO 
Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
    (4) Otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the 
United States.


Sec.  1700.27  Hull coating leachate.

    (a) Antifouling hull coatings subject to registration under the 
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C 
136 et seq.) must be applied, maintained, and removed in a manner 
consistent with requirements on the coatings' FIFRA label.
    (b) Antifouling hull coatings not subject to FIFRA registration 
(i.e., exempt or not produced for sale and distribution in the United 
States) must not contain any biocides or toxic materials banned for use 
in the United States (including those on EPA's List of Banned or 
Severely Restricted Pesticides). This performance standard applies to 
all vessels, including vessels with a hull coating applied outside the 
United States.
    (c) Antifouling hull coatings must not contain tributyltin (TBT).
    (d) Antifouling hull coatings must not contain any organotin 
compounds when the organotin is used as a biocide. Antifouling hull 
coatings may contain small quantities of organotin compounds other than 
TBT (e.g., dibutyltin) when the organotin is acting as a chemical 
catalyst and not present above 2,500 milligrams total tin per kilogram 
of dry paint film. In addition, any such antifouling hull coatings must 
be designed to not slough or peel from the vessel hull.
    (e) Antifouling hull coatings that contain TBT or other organotin 
compounds that are used as a biocide must be removed or an overcoat 
must be applied.
    (f) Incidental amounts of antifouling hull coating discharged after 
contact with other hard surfaces (e.g., moorings) are permissible.
    (g) To the greatest extent practicable, use non-copper based and 
less toxic antifouling hull coatings. To the greatest extent 
practicable, use antifouling hull coatings with the lowest effective 
biocide release rates, rapidly biodegradable components (once separated 
from the hull surface), or use non-biocidal alternatives, such as 
silicone coatings.
    (h) To the greatest extent practicable, avoid use of antifouling 
hull coatings on vessels that are regularly removed from the water and 
unlikely to accumulate hull growth.


Sec.  1700.28  Motor gasoline and compensating discharge.

    (a) The discharge of motor gasoline and compensating effluent must 
not contain oil in quantities that:
    (1) Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of 
the water or adjoining shorelines; or
    (2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface 
of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or
    (3) Contain an oil content above 15 ppm as measured by EPA Method 
1664a or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as 
accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO 
Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
    (4) Otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the 
United States.
    (b) The discharge of motor gasoline and compensating effluent must 
be minimized in port. If an oily sheen is observed, any spill or 
overflow of oil must be cleaned up, recorded, and reported to the 
National Response Center immediately.
    (c) The discharge of motor gasoline and compensating effluent is 
prohibited in federally-protected waters.


Sec.  1700.29 through 1700.33  [Reserved]


Sec.  1700.34  Sonar dome discharge.

    (a) The water inside the sonar dome must not be discharged for 
maintenance activities unless the use of a drydock for the maintenance 
activity is not feasible.
    (b) The water inside the sonar dome may be discharged for 
equalization of pressure between the interior and exterior of the dome.
    (c) A biofouling chemical that is bioaccumulative should not be 
applied to the exterior of a sonar dome when a non-bioaccumulative 
alternative is available.


Sec.  1700.35  Submarine bilgewater.

    The discharge of submarine bilgewater:
    (a) Must not contain oil in quantities that:
    (1) Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of 
the water or adjoining shorelines; or
    (2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface 
of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or

[[Page 69771]]

    (3) Contain an oil content above 15 ppm as measured by EPA Method 
1664a or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as 
accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO 
Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
    (4) Otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the 
United States.
    (b) Must not contain dispersants, detergents, emulsifiers, 
chemicals, or other substances to remove the appearance of a visible 
sheen. This performance standard does not prohibit the use of these 
materials in machinery spaces for the purposes of cleaning and 
maintenance activities associated with vessel equipment and structures.
    (c) Must only contain substances that are produced in the normal 
operation of a vessel. Oil solidifiers, flocculants or other additives 
(excluding any dispersants or surfactants) may be used to enhance oil-
water separation during processing in an oil-water separator only if 
such solidifiers, flocculants, or other additives are minimized in the 
discharge and do not alter the chemical make-up of the oils being 
discharged. Solidifiers, flocculants, or other additives must not be 
directly added, or otherwise combined with, the water in the bilge.
    (d) Must not occur in port if the port has the capability to 
collect and transfer the submarine bilgewater to an onshore facility.
    (e) Must be minimized and, if technologically feasible, discharged 
as far from shore as possible.
    (f) Must be minimized in federally-protected waters.
    (g) Must employ management practices that will minimize leakage of 
oil and other harmful pollutants into the bilge.


Sec.  1700.36  Surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent.

    (a) All surface vessels must employ management practices that will 
minimize leakage of oil and other harmful pollutants into the bilge.
    (b) Surface vessels equipped with an oil-water separator must not 
discharge bilgewater and must only discharge oil-water separator 
effluent through an oil-content monitor consistent with paragraph (c) 
of this section. All surface vessels greater than 400 gross tons must 
be equipped with an oil-water separator. Surface vessels not equipped 
with an oil-water separator must only discharge bilgewater consistent 
with paragraph (d) of this section.
    (c) The discharge of oil-water separator effluent:
    (1) Must not contain oil in quantities that:
    (i) Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of 
the water or adjoining shorelines; or
    (ii) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface 
of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or
    (iii) Contain an oil content above 15 ppm as measured by EPA Method 
1664a or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as 
accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO 
Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
    (iv) Otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the 
United States.
    (2) Must not contain dispersants, detergents, emulsifiers, 
chemicals, or other substances to remove the appearance of a visible 
sheen. This performance standard does not prohibit the use of these 
materials in machinery spaces for the purposes of cleaning and 
maintenance activities associated with vessel equipment and structures.
    (3) Must only contain substances that are produced in the normal 
operation of a vessel. Oil solidifiers, flocculants or other additives 
(excluding any dispersants or surfactants) may be used to enhance oil-
water separation during processing in an oil-water separator only if 
such solidifiers, flocculants, or other additives are minimized in the 
discharge and do not alter the chemical make-up of the oils being 
discharged. Solidifiers, flocculants, or other additives must not be 
directly added, or otherwise combined with, the water in the bilge.
    (4) Must not occur in port if the vessel has the capability to 
collect and transfer oil-water separator effluent to an onshore 
facility.
    (5) Must be minimized within one mile of shore.
    (6) Must occur while sailing at speeds greater than six knots, if 
the vessel is underway.
    (7) Must be minimized in federally-protected waters.
    (d) The discharge of bilgewater (i.e., wastewater from the bilge 
that has not been processed through an oil-water separator):
    (1) Must not occur if the vessel has the capability to collect, 
hold, and transfer bilgewater to an onshore facility.
    (2) Notwithstanding the prohibition of the discharge of bilgewater 
from vessels that have the capability to collect, hold, and transfer 
bilgewater to an onshore facility; the discharge of bilgewater:
    (i) Must not contain dispersants, detergents, emulsifiers, 
chemicals, or other substances to remove the appearance of a visible 
sheen. This performance standard does not prohibit the use of these 
materials in machinery spaces for the purposes of cleaning and 
maintenance activities associated with vessel equipment and structures.
    (ii) Must only contain substances that are produced in the normal 
operation of a vessel. Routine cleaning and maintenance activities 
associated with vessel equipment and structures are considered to be 
normal operation of a vessel.
    (iii) Must not contain oil in quantities that:
    (A) Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of 
the water or adjoining shorelines; or
    (B) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface 
of the water or upon adjoining shorelines; or
    (C) Contain an oil content above 15 ppm as measured by EPA Method 
1664a or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as 
accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO 
Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
    (D) Otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the 
United States.
    (iv) Must be suspended immediately if a visible sheen is observed. 
Any spill or overflow of oil or other engine fluids must be cleaned up, 
recorded, and reported to the National Response Center immediately.


Sec.  1700.37  Underwater ship husbandry.

    (a) For discharges from vessels that are less than 79 feet in 
length:
    (1) To the greatest extent practicable, vessel hulls with an 
antifouling hull coating must not be cleaned within 90 days after the 
antifouling coating application.
    (2) Vessel hulls must be inspected, maintained, and cleaned to 
minimize the removal and discharge of antifouling coatings and the 
transport of fouling organisms. To the greatest extent practicable, 
rigorous vessel hull cleanings must take place in drydock or at a land-
based facility where the removed fouling organisms or spent antifouling 
coatings can be disposed of onshore in accordance with any applicable 
solid waste or hazardous substance management and disposal 
requirements.
    (3) Prior to the transport of the vessel overland from one body of 
water to another, vessel hulls must be inspected for any visible 
attached living organisms. If fouling organisms are found, they must be 
removed and disposed of onshore in accordance with any applicable solid 
waste and

[[Page 69772]]

hazardous substance management and disposal requirements.
    (4) Vessel hull cleanings must be conducted in a manner that 
minimizes the release of antifouling hull coatings and fouling 
organisms, including:
    (i) Adhere to any applicable cleaning requirements found on the 
coatings' FIFRA label.
    (ii) Use soft brushes or less abrasive cleaning techniques to the 
greatest extent practicable.
    (iii) Use hard brushes only for the removal of hard growth.
    (iv) Use a vacuum or other collection/control technology, when 
available and feasible.
    (b) For discharges from vessels that are greater than or equal to 
79 feet in length:
    (1) To the greatest extent practicable, vessel hulls with an 
antifouling hull coating must not be cleaned within 90 days after the 
antifouling coating application. To the greatest extent practicable, 
vessel hulls with copper-based antifouling coatings must not be cleaned 
within 365 days after coating application.
    (2) Vessel hulls must be inspected, maintained, and cleaned to 
minimize the removal and discharge of antifouling coatings and the 
transport of fouling organisms. To the greatest extent practicable, 
rigorous vessel hull cleanings must take place in drydock or at a land-
based facility where the removed fouling organisms or spent antifouling 
coatings can be disposed of onshore in accordance with any applicable 
solid waste or hazardous substance management and disposal 
requirements.
    (3) Vessel hull cleanings must be conducted in a manner that 
minimizes the release of antifouling hull coatings and fouling 
organisms, including:
    (i) Adhere to any applicable cleaning requirements found on the 
coatings' FIFRA label.
    (ii) Use soft brushes or less abrasive cleaning techniques to the 
greatest extent practicable.
    (iii) Use hard brushes only for the removal of hard growth.
    (iv) Use a vacuum or other collection/control technology, when 
available and feasible.


Sec.  1700.38 through 1700.42  [Reserved]

[FR Doc. 2016-24079 Filed 10-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                         69753

                                                    2003, November 8, 2011, and July 14,                    revisions submitted by the State of                   SUMMARY:    The U.S. Environmental
                                                    2014. The May 1, 2003, submittal                        Nebraska. We have published a direct                  Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S.
                                                    revised chapters 5 and 9, to address                    final rule approving the State’s SIP                  Department of Defense (DoD) propose
                                                    changes in regard to the permits-by-rule                revision(s) in the ‘‘Rules and                        discharge performance standards for 11
                                                    provisions of Title 129. The November                   Regulations’’ section of this Federal                 discharges incidental to the normal
                                                    8, 2011, submittal allows for the                       Register, because we view this as a                   operation of a vessel of the Armed
                                                    issuance of multiple operating permits                  noncontroversial action and anticipate                Forces into the navigable waters of the
                                                    to major sources through revisions to                   no relevant adverse comment. We have                  United States, the territorial seas, and
                                                    chapter 5. In addition, revisions to                    explained our reasons for this action in              the contiguous zone. When
                                                    chapters 22 and 30 encourage the use of                 the preamble to the direct final rule. If             implemented, the proposed discharge
                                                    air curtain incinerators over open                      we receive no adverse comment, we will                performance standards would reduce
                                                    burning; and changes to chapter 34                      not take further action on this proposed              the adverse environmental impacts
                                                    clarify the authority of NDEQ to order                  rule. If we receive adverse comment, we               associated with the vessel discharges,
                                                    emission sources to do testing when                     will withdraw the direct final rule and               stimulate the development of improved
                                                    NDEQ deems it necessary. The July 14,                   it will not take effect. We would address             vessel pollution control devices, and
                                                    2014, submittal further revises chapter                 all public comments in any subsequent                 advance the development of
                                                    34, by updating the reference to                        final rule based on this proposed rule.               environmentally sound vessels of the
                                                    allowable test methods for evaluating                   We do not intend to institute a second                Armed Forces. The 11 discharges
                                                    solid waste, changing the amount of                     comment period on this action. Any                    addressed by the proposed rule are the
                                                    time allowed to submit test results, and                parties interested in commenting must                 following: catapult water brake tank and
                                                    allowing NDEQ to approve a request for                  do so at this time. For further                       post-launch retraction exhaust,
                                                    testing with less than 30 days                          information, please see the information               controllable pitch propeller hydraulic
                                                    notification. For additional information                provided in the ADDRESSES section of                  fluid, deck runoff, firemain systems,
                                                    on the revisions to chapters 5, 9, 22, 30               this document.                                        graywater, hull coating leachate, motor
                                                    and 34 see the detailed discussion table                                                                      gasoline and compensating discharge,
                                                    in the docket.                                          List of Subjects                                      sonar dome discharge, submarine
                                                    DATES: Comments must be received by                     40 CFR Part 52                                        bilgewater, surface vessel bilgewater/oil-
                                                    November 7, 2016.                                                                                             water separator effluent, and
                                                                                                              Environmental protection, Air
                                                    ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                                                                              underwater ship husbandry.
                                                                                                            pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
                                                    identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R07–                    Incorporation by reference,                           DATES: Comments must be received on
                                                    OAR–2016–0555, to http://                               Intergovernmental relations, Lead,                    or before December 6, 2016.
                                                    www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                  Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate                  ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                    instructions for submitting comments.                   matter, Reporting and recordkeeping                   identified by Docket No. EPA–HQ–OW–
                                                    Once submitted, comments cannot be                      requirements, Sulfur dioxide, Volatile                2016–0351, at http://
                                                    edited or removed from Regulations.gov.                 organic compounds.                                    www.regulation.gov. Follow the online
                                                    The EPA may publish any comment                                                                               instructions for submitting comments.
                                                    received to its public docket. Do not                   40 CFR Part 70                                        Once submitted, comments cannot be
                                                    submit electronically any information                     Environmental protection,                           edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
                                                    you consider to be Confidential                         Administrative practice and procedure,                The EPA may publish any comment
                                                    Business Information (CBI) or other                     Air pollution control, Intergovernmental              received to its public docket. Do not
                                                    information whose disclosure is                         relations, Operating permits, Reporting               submit electronically any information
                                                    restricted by statute. Multimedia                       and recordkeeping requirements.                       you consider to be Confidential
                                                    submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be                                                                      Business Information (CBI) or other
                                                                                                             Dated: September 27, 2016.
                                                    accompanied by a written comment.                                                                             information whose disclosure is
                                                                                                            Mike Brincks,
                                                    The written comment is considered the                                                                         restricted by statute. Multimedia
                                                    official comment and should include                     Acting Regional Administrator, Region 7.
                                                                                                                                                                  submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
                                                    discussion of all points you wish to                    [FR Doc. 2016–24087 Filed 10–6–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                  accompanied by a written comment.
                                                    make. The EPA will generally not                        BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                The written comment is considered the
                                                    consider comments or comment                                                                                  official comment and should include
                                                    contents located outside of the primary                                                                       discussion of all points you wish to
                                                    submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                              make. The EPA will generally not
                                                    other file sharing system). For                         AGENCY                                                consider comments or comment
                                                    additional submission methods, the full                                                                       contents located outside of the primary
                                                                                                            DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
                                                    EPA public comment policy,                                                                                    submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or
                                                    information about CBI or multimedia                                                                           other file sharing system). For
                                                                                                            40 CFR Part 1700
                                                    submissions, and general guidance on                                                                          additional submission methods, the full
                                                    making effective comments, please visit                 [EPA–HQ–OW–2016–0351; FRL–9949–12–                    EPA public comment policy,
                                                    http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/                            OW]                                                   information about CBI or multimedia
                                                    commenting-epa-dockets.                                 RIN 2040–AF53                                         submissions, and general guidance on
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg                                                                         making effective comments, please visit
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                                                    Crable, Environmental Protection                        Uniform National Discharge Standards                  http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
                                                    Agency, Air Planning and Development                    for Vessels of the Armed Forces—                      commenting-epa-dockets.
                                                    Branch, 11201 Renner Boulevard,                         Phase II Batch Two                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    Lenexa, Kansas 66219 at 913–551–7391,                                                                         Katherine B. Weiler, Marine Pollution
                                                                                                            AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                    or by email at crable.gregory@epa.gov.                                                                        Control Branch (4504T), U.S. EPA, 1200
                                                                                                            Agency (EPA) and Department of
                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This                         Defense (DoD).                                        Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington,
                                                    document proposes to take action on the                                                                       DC 20460; (202) 566–1280;
                                                                                                            ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                    State Implementation Plan (SIP)                                                                               weiler.katherine@epa.gov, or Mike


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                                                    69754                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    Pletke, Chief of Naval Operations (N45),                  L. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions           compensating discharge, sonar dome
                                                    2000 Navy Pentagon (Rm. 2D253),                              To Address Environmental Justice in              discharge, submarine bilgewater, surface
                                                    Washington, DC 20350–2000; (703) 695–                        Minority Populations and Low-Income              vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator
                                                                                                                 Populations
                                                    5184; mike.pletke@navy.mil.                             VI. Appendix A. Description of Vessels of the         effluent, and underwater ship
                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This                              Armed Forces                                     husbandry.
                                                    supplementary information is organized                                                                           The proposed discharge performance
                                                    as follows:                                             I. General Information
                                                                                                                                                                  standards would not become
                                                    I. General Information                                  A. Legal Authority for the Proposed Rule              enforceable until after promulgation of a
                                                       A. Legal Authority for the Proposed Rule               The EPA and DoD propose this rule                   final rule, as well as promulgation of
                                                       B. Purpose of the Proposed Rule                      under the authority of Clean Water Act                regulations by DoD under CWA section
                                                       C. What vessels are potentially affected by                                                                312(n)(5)(C) to govern the design,
                                                          the Proposed Rule?
                                                                                                            (CWA) section 312 (33 U.S.C. 1322).
                                                       D. What is the geographic scope of the               Section 325 of the National Defense                   construction, installation, and use of a
                                                          Proposed Rule?                                    Authorization Act of 1996 (‘‘NDAA’’),                 MPCD.
                                                       E. Rulemaking Process                                entitled ‘‘Discharges from Vessels of the                UNDS do not apply to the following
                                                       F. Summary of Public Outreach and                    Armed Forces’’ (Pub. L. 104–106, 110                  discharges from vessels of the Armed
                                                          Consultation With Federal Agencies,               Stat. 254), amended CWA section 312,                  Forces: Overboard discharges of
                                                          States, Territories, and Tribes                   to require the Administrator of the U.S.
                                                       G. Supporting Documentation
                                                                                                                                                                  rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such
                                                                                                            Environmental Protection Agency                       materials; sewage; air emissions
                                                       H. What should I consider as I prepare my            (Administrator) and the Secretary of
                                                          comments?                                                                                               resulting from the operation of a vessel
                                                    II. UNDS Performance Standards                          Defense of the U.S. Department of                     propulsion system, motor-driven
                                                          Development                                       Defense (Secretary) to develop uniform                equipment, or incinerator; or discharges
                                                       A. Nature of the Discharge                           national standards to control certain                 that require permitting under the
                                                       B. Environmental Effects                             discharges incidental to the normal                   National Pollutant Discharge
                                                       C. Cost, Practicability, and Operational             operation of a vessel of the Armed                    Elimination System (NPDES) program,
                                                          Impacts                                           Forces. The term Uniform National
                                                       D. Applicable U.S. and International Law                                                                   including operational discharges and
                                                                                                            Discharge Standards or UNDS is used in                other discharges that are not incidental
                                                       E. Definitions                                       this preamble to refer to the provisions
                                                    III. UNDS Discharge Analysis and                                                                              to the normal operation of a vessel of
                                                          Performance Standards                             in CWA section 312(a)(12) through (14)                the Armed Forces.
                                                       A. Catapult Water Brake Tank and Post-               and (n) (33 U.S.C. 1322(a)(12) through
                                                          Launch Retraction Exhaust                         (14) and (n)).                                        C. What vessels are potentially affected
                                                       B. Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic                                                                  by the proposed rule?
                                                                                                            B. Purpose of the Proposed Rule
                                                          Fluid
                                                       C. Deck Runoff                                         UNDS are intended to enhance the                       The proposed rule would apply to
                                                       D. Firemain Systems                                  operational flexibility of vessels of the             vessels of the Armed Forces. For the
                                                       E. Graywater                                         Armed Forces domestically and                         purposes of the rulemaking, the term
                                                       F. Hull Coating Leachate                             internationally, stimulate the                        ‘‘vessel of the Armed Forces’’ is defined
                                                       G. Motor Gasoline and Compensating                                                                         at CWA section 312(a)(14). Vessel of the
                                                                                                            development of innovative vessel
                                                          Discharge
                                                                                                            pollution control technology, and                     Armed Forces means any vessel owned
                                                       H. Sonar Dome Discharge
                                                       I. Submarine Bilgewater                              advance the development of                            or operated by the U.S. Department of
                                                       J. Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water               environmentally sound ships. Section                  Defense (i.e., U.S. Navy, Military Sealift
                                                          Separator Effluent (OWSE)                         312(n)(3)(A) of the CWA requires the                  Command, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S.
                                                       K. Underwater Ship Husbandry                         EPA and DoD to promulgate uniform                     Army, and U.S. Air Force), other than a
                                                    IV. Additional Information of the Proposed              national discharge standards for certain              time- or voyage-chartered vessel, as well
                                                          Rule                                              discharges incidental to the normal                   as any U.S. Coast Guard vessel
                                                    V. Related Acts of Congress and Executive               operation of a vessel of the Armed                    designated by the Secretary of the
                                                          Orders
                                                                                                            Forces (CWA section 312(a)(12)), unless               Department in which the U.S. Coast
                                                       A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
                                                          Planning and Review and Executive                 the Secretary finds that compliance with              Guard is operating. The preceding list is
                                                          Order 13563: Improving Regulation and             UNDS would not be in the national                     not intended to be exhaustive, but rather
                                                          Regulatory Review                                 security interests of the United States               provides a guide for the reader regarding
                                                       B. Paperwork Reduction Act                           (CWA section 312(n)(1)).                              the vessels of the Armed Forces to be
                                                       C. Regulatory Flexibility Act as Amended               The proposed rule would amend title                 regulated by the proposed rule. The
                                                          by the Small Business Regulatory                  40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)                  proposed rule would not apply to
                                                          Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996                  part 1700 to establish discharge                      commercial vessels; private vessels;
                                                       D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                                                                            performance standards for 11 discharges               vessels owned or operated by state,
                                                       E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
                                                       F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation               incidental to the normal operation of a               local, or tribal governments; vessels
                                                          and Coordination With Indian Tribal               vessel of the Armed Forces from among                 under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army
                                                          Governments                                       the 25 discharges for which the EPA and               Corps of Engineers; certain vessels
                                                       G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of              DoD previously determined (64 FR                      under the jurisdiction of the U.S.
                                                          Children From Environmental Health                25126, May 10, 1999) that it is                       Department of Transportation; vessels
                                                          and Safety Risks                                  reasonable and practicable to require a               preserved as memorials and museums;
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                                                       H. Executive Order 13211: Actions                    marine pollution control device                       vessels under construction; vessels in
                                                          Concerning Regulations That                       (MPCD). The 11 discharges addressed                   drydock; amphibious vehicles; and, as
                                                          Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                                                                                            by the proposal are the following:                    noted above, time- or voyage-chartered
                                                          Distribution, or Use
                                                       I. National Technology Transfer and                  Catapult water brake tank and post-                   vessels. For answers to questions
                                                          Advancement Act                                   launch retraction exhaust, controllable               regarding the applicability of this action
                                                       J. Executive Order 13112: Invasive Species           pitch propeller hydraulic fluid, deck                 to a particular vessel, consult one of the
                                                       K. Executive Order 13089: Coral Reef                 runoff, firemain systems, graywater, hull             contacts listed in the FOR FURTHER
                                                          Protection                                        coating leachate, motor gasoline and                  INFORMATION CONTACT section.



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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                          69755

                                                    D. What is the geographic scope of the                  practice, for installation or use on a                requesting the re-evaluation of a prior
                                                    proposed rule?                                          vessel of the Armed Forces, that is                   determination that a MPCD is required
                                                       The proposed rule would be                           designed to receive, retain, treat,                   for a particular discharge (40 CFR
                                                    applicable to discharges from a vessel of               control, or discharge a discharge                     1700.4) or that a MPCD is not required
                                                    the Armed Forces operating in the                       incidental to the normal operation of a               for a particular discharge (40 CFR
                                                                                                            vessel; and determined by the                         1700.5), if there is significant new
                                                    navigable waters of the United States,
                                                                                                            Administrator and the Secretary to be                 information not considered previously,
                                                    territorial seas, and the contiguous zone
                                                                                                            the most effective equipment or                       that could reasonably result in a change
                                                    (CWA section 1322(n)(8)(A)). The
                                                                                                            management practice to reduce the                     to the determination (CWA section
                                                    proposed rule applies in both fresh and
                                                                                                            environmental impacts of the discharge                312(n)(5)(D) and 40 CFR 1700.11).
                                                    marine waters and can include bodies of
                                                                                                            consistent with the considerations set
                                                    water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.                                                                      Phase II
                                                                                                            forth by UNDS.
                                                    Together, the preamble refers to these                     During Phase I, the EPA and DoD                       Section 312(n)(3) of the CWA
                                                    waters as ‘‘waters subject to UNDS.’’                   identified the following 25 discharges as             provides for Phase II and requires the
                                                       Sections 502(7), 502(8), and 502(9) of               requiring control with a MPCD:                        EPA and DoD to develop federal
                                                    the CWA define the term ‘‘navigable                     Aqueous Film-Forming Foam; Catapult                   discharge performance standards for
                                                    waters,’’ ‘‘territorial seas,’’ and                     Water Brake Tank and Post-Launch                      each of the 25 discharges identified in
                                                    ‘‘contiguous zone,’’ respectively. The                  Retraction Exhaust; Chain Locker                      Phase I as requiring control. In doing so,
                                                    term ‘‘navigable waters’’ means waters                  Effluent; Clean Ballast; Compensated                  the EPA and DoD are required to consult
                                                    of the United States including the                      Fuel Ballast; Controllable Pitch                      with the Department in which the U.S.
                                                    territorial seas, where the United States               Propeller Hydraulic Fluid; Deck Runoff;               Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary
                                                    includes the states, the District of                    Dirty Ballast; Distillation and Reverse               of Commerce, interested states, the
                                                    Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto                    Osmosis Brine; Elevator Pit Effluent;                 Secretary of State, and other interested
                                                    Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam,                    Firemain Systems; Gas Turbine Water                   federal agencies. In promulgating Phase
                                                    American Samoa, the Commonwealth of                     Wash; Graywater; Hull Coating                         II discharge performance standards,
                                                    the Northern Mariana Islands, and the                   Leachate; Motor Gasoline and                          CWA section 312(n)(2)(B) directs the
                                                    Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands.               Compensating Discharge; Non-Oily                      EPA and DoD to consider seven factors:
                                                    The term ‘‘territorial seas’’ means the                 Machinery Wastewater; Photographic                    The nature of the discharge; the
                                                    belt of seas that generally extends three               Laboratory Drains; Seawater Cooling                   environmental effects of the discharge;
                                                    miles seaward from the line of ordinary                 Overboard Discharge; Seawater Piping                  the practicability of using the MPCD;
                                                    low water along the portion of the coast                Biofouling Prevention; Small Boat                     the effect that installation or use of the
                                                    in direct contact with the open sea and                 Engine Wet Exhaust; Sonar Dome                        MPCD would have on the operation or
                                                    the line marking the seaward limit of                   Discharge; Submarine Bilgewater;                      the operational capability of the vessel;
                                                    inland waters. The term ‘‘contiguous                    Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water                   applicable U.S. law; applicable
                                                    zone’’ means the entire zone established                Separator Effluent; Underwater Ship                   international standards; and the
                                                    or to be established by the United States               Husbandry; and Welldeck Discharges                    economic costs of installation and use of
                                                    under Article 24 of the Convention of                   (40 CFR 1700.4).                                      the MPCD. Section 312(n)(3)(C) of the
                                                    the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous                     During Phase I, the EPA and DoD                    CWA further provides that the EPA and
                                                    Zone. Generally, the contiguous zone                    identified the following 14 discharges as             DoD may establish discharge standards
                                                    extends seaward for the next nine miles                 not requiring control with a MPCD:                    that (1) distinguish among classes,
                                                    (i.e., from three to 12 miles from the                  Boiler Blowdown; Catapult Wet                         types, and sizes of vessels; (2)
                                                    U.S. coastline). The proposed rule                      Accumulator Discharge; Cathodic                       distinguish between new and existing
                                                    would not be applicable seaward of the                  Protection; Freshwater Layup; Mine                    vessels; and (3) provide for a waiver of
                                                    contiguous zone.                                        Countermeasures Equipment                             applicability of standards as necessary
                                                                                                            Lubrication; Portable Damage Control                  or appropriate to a particular class, type,
                                                    E. Rulemaking Process
                                                                                                            Drain Pump Discharge; Portable Damage                 age, or size of vessel.
                                                      The UNDS rulemaking is a joint                        Control Drain Pump Wet Exhaust;                          The EPA and DoD developed a
                                                    rulemaking between the EPA and DoD                      Refrigeration/Air Conditioning                        process to establish the Phase II
                                                    and is under development in three                       Condensate; Rudder Bearing                            discharge performance standards in
                                                    phases. The first two phases reflect joint              Lubrication; Steam Condensate; Stern                  three batches (three separate
                                                    rulemaking between the EPA and DoD;                     Tube Seals and Underwater Bearing                     rulemakings). The first batch of
                                                    the third phase is a DoD-only rule.                     Lubrication; Submarine Acoustic                       discharge performance standards was
                                                                                                            Countermeasures Launcher Discharge;                   published on February 3, 2014 (79 FR
                                                    Phase I
                                                                                                            Submarine Emergency Diesel Engine                     6117) and addressed 11 of the 25
                                                      The EPA and DoD promulgated the                       Wet Exhaust; and Submarine Outboard                   discharges identified as requiring
                                                    Phase I regulations on May 10, 1999 (64                 Equipment Grease and External                         control (64 FR 25126). The second batch
                                                    FR 25126), and these existing                           Hydraulics.                                           of discharge performance standards, the
                                                    regulations are codified at 40 CFR part                    As of the effective date of the Phase              subject of this proposed rule, addresses
                                                    1700. During Phase I, the EPA and DoD                   I rule (June 9, 1999), neither states nor             11 additional discharges identified as
                                                    identified the discharges incidental to                 political subdivisions of states may                  requiring control (64 FR 25126). The
                                                    the normal operation of a vessel of the                 adopt or enforce any state or local                   third batch of discharge performance
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                                                    Armed Forces for which it is reasonable                 statutes or regulations with respect to               standards that will address the
                                                    and practicable to require control with                 the 14 discharges that were identified as             remaining three discharges will be
                                                    a MPCD to mitigate potential adverse                    not requiring control, except to establish            proposed in a separate rule.
                                                    impacts on the marine environment                       no-discharge zones (CWA sections                         In developing the Phase II discharge
                                                    (CWA section 312(n)(2)), as well as                     312(n)(6)(A) and 312(n)(7)). However,                 performance standards, the EPA and
                                                    those discharges for which it is not.                   section 312(n)(5)(D) of the CWA                       DoD reference the 2013 NPDES Vessel
                                                    Section 312(a)(13) of the CWA defines a                 authorizes a Governor of any state to                 General Permit and the 2014 NPDES
                                                    MPCD as any equipment or management                     submit a petition to DoD and the EPA                  Small Vessel General Permit (hereinafter


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                                                    69756                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    referred to collectively as the NPDES                   performance standards. DoD will                       the discharge into the waters; (2)
                                                    VGPs) as the baseline for each                          implement the Phase III regulations                   adequate facilities for the safe and
                                                    comparable discharge incidental to the                  under the authority of the Secretary as               sanitary removal of the discharge
                                                    normal operation of a vessel of the                     a DoD publication. The Phase III                      incidental to the normal operation of a
                                                    Armed Forces (78 FR 21938, April 12,                    regulations will be publicly released                 vessel are reasonably available for the
                                                    2013 and 79 FR 53702, September 10,                     and are expected to be made available                 waters to which the prohibition would
                                                    2014). The NPDES VGPs provide for                       on the Defense Technical Information                  apply; and (3) the prohibition will not
                                                    CWA authorization of discharges                         Center Web site: http://www.dtic.mil/                 have the effect of discriminating against
                                                    incidental to the normal operation of                   whs/directives. Similar to Phase II,                  a vessel of the Armed Forces by reason
                                                    non-military and non-recreational                       Phase III will be promulgated in three                of the ownership or operation by the
                                                    vessels extending to the outer reach of                 batches.                                              federal government, or the military
                                                    the three-mile territorial sea as defined                  Following the effective date of                    function, of the vessel (40 CFR
                                                    in CWA section 502(8). The NPDES                        regulations under Phase III, it will be               1700.9(b)(2)).
                                                    VGPs include effluent limits that are                   unlawful for a vessel of the Armed                       Alternatively, a State may request that
                                                    based on both the technology available                  Forces to operate within waters subject               the EPA prohibit, by regulation, the
                                                    to treat pollutants (i.e., technology-                  to UNDS if the vessel is not equipped                 discharge of one or more discharges
                                                    based effluent limitations), and limits                 with a MPCD that meets the final Phase                incidental to the normal operation of a
                                                    that would be protective of the                         II standards (CWA section 312 (n)(7)). It             vessel of the Armed Forces, whether
                                                    designated uses of the receiving waters                 also will be unlawful for a vessel of the             treated or not, into specified waters
                                                    (i.e., water quality-based effluent limits),            Armed Forces to discharge a regulated                 within a state (40 CFR 1700.10). In this
                                                    including both non-numeric and                          UNDS discharge into an UNDS no-                       case, the EPA would make a
                                                    numeric limitations. Vessels covered                    discharge zone (i.e., waters where a                  determination that the protection and
                                                    under the NPDES VGPs vary widely by                     prohibition on a discharge has been                   enhancement of the quality of the
                                                    type, size, and activity and similarly,                 established) (CWA section 312(n)(8)).                 specified waters requires a prohibition
                                                    the contents and volume of the waste                    Any person in violation of this                       of the discharge. As with the application
                                                    streams can vary dependent upon seas,                   requirement shall be liable to a civil                of a state prohibition described above,
                                                    cargo carried, and age of the vessel.                   penalty of not more than $5,000 for each              the Administrator would need to
                                                    Though the 2013 NPDES VGP was                           violation (CWA section 312(j)). The                   determine that (1) the protection and
                                                    remanded to EPA after a judicial                        Secretary of the Department in which                  enhancement of the quality of the
                                                    challenge, NRDC v. EPA, 808 F.3d 556                    the U.S. Coast Guard is operating shall               specified waters within the state require
                                                    (2d Cir. 2015), the contested issues                    enforce these provisions and may utilize              a prohibition of the discharge into the
                                                    remanded to EPA are specific to the                     law enforcement officers, EPA                         waters; (2) adequate facilities for the
                                                    CWA NPDES permit program and thus                       personnel and facilities, other federal               safe and sanitary removal of the
                                                    are not relevant to the development of                  agencies, or the states to carry out these            discharge incidental to the normal
                                                    the proposed UNDS discharge                             provisions. States may also enforce                   operation of a vessel are reasonably
                                                    performance standards. Numeric                          these provisions (CWA section 312(k)                  available for the waters to which the
                                                    effluent limitations were used when                     and (n)(9)).                                          prohibition would apply; and (3) the
                                                    feasible but due to the variety of vessel                  In addition, as of the effective date of           prohibition will not have the effect of
                                                    types, sizes, and activities, the EPA also              the Phase III regulations, neither States             discriminating against a vessel of the
                                                    used non-numeric effluent limitations to                nor political subdivisions of States may              Armed Forces by reason of the
                                                    regulate vessel discharges covered by                   adopt or enforce any state or local                   ownership or operation by the federal
                                                    the NPDES VGPs. Additional                              statute or regulation with respect to                 government, or the military function, of
                                                    information on NPDES permitting can                     discharges identified as requiring                    the vessel (40 CFR 1700.9(b)(2)). The
                                                    be found on-line at http://www.epa.gov/                 control, except to establish no-discharge             EPA may not, however, disapprove a
                                                    npdes/.                                                 zones (CWA section 312(n)(7)). CWA                    state application for this latter type of
                                                       Using the NPDES VGPs as a baseline                   section 312(n)(7) provides for the                    prohibition for the sole reason that there
                                                    for developing the performance                          establishment of no-discharge zones                   are not adequate facilities for the safe
                                                    standards for discharges incidental to                  either (1) by State prohibition after                 and sanitary removal of such discharges
                                                    the normal operation of a vessel of the                 application and a determination by the                (CWA section 312(n)(7)(B)(ii) and 40
                                                    Armed Forces allowed the EPA and DoD                    EPA, or (2) directly by EPA prohibition.              CFR 1700.10(b)).
                                                    to maximize the use of the EPA’s                        The Phase I UNDS regulations                             The statute also requires the EPA and
                                                    scientific and technical work developed                 established the criteria and procedures               DoD to review the determinations and
                                                    to support the NPDES VGPs. The                          for establishing UNDS no-discharge                    standards every five years and, if
                                                    NPDES VGPs technology-based and                         zones (40 CFR 1700.9 and 40 CFR                       necessary, to revise them based on
                                                    water quality-based effluent limitations                1700.10).                                             significant new information.
                                                    were then adapted, as appropriate, for                     If a state determines that the                     Specifically, CWA section 312(n)(5)(A)
                                                    the relevant discharges from vessels of                 protection and enhancement of the                     and (B) contain provisions for reviewing
                                                    the Armed Forces.                                       quality of some or all of its waters                  and modifying both of the following
                                                                                                            require greater environmental                         determinations: (1) Whether control
                                                    Phase III                                               protection, the state may prohibit one or             should be required for a particular
                                                      Phase III of UNDS requires DoD, in                    more discharges incidental to the                     discharge, and (2) the substantive
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                                                    consultation with the EPA and the                       normal operation of a vessel of the                   standard of performance for a discharge
                                                    Secretary of the Department in which                    Armed Forces, whether treated or not,                 for which control is required. A
                                                    the U.S. Coast Guard is operating,                      into those waters (40 CFR 1700.9). A                  Governor also may petition the
                                                    within one year of finalization of the                  state prohibition does not apply until                Administrator and the Secretary to
                                                    Phase II standards, to promulgate                       after the Administrator determines that               review a UNDS determination or
                                                    regulations governing the design,                       (1) the protection and enhancement of                 standard if there is significant new
                                                    construction, installation, and use of                  the quality of the specified waters                   information, not considered previously,
                                                    MPCDs necessary to meet the discharge                   within the state require a prohibition of             that could reasonably result in a change


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                         69757

                                                    to the determination or standard (CWA                   be accepted in Microsoft Word or Adobe                A. Nature of the Discharge
                                                    section 312(n)(5)(D) and 40 CFR                         PDF. If your comment cannot be read                     During Phase I, the EPA and DoD
                                                    1700.11).                                               due to technical difficulties and you                 gathered information on the discharges
                                                                                                            cannot be contacted for clarification, the            incidental to the normal operation of a
                                                    F. Summary of Public Outreach and
                                                                                                            EPA and DoD may not be able to                        vessel of the Armed Forces and
                                                    Consultation With Federal Agencies,
                                                    States, Territories, and Tribes                         consider your comment. Avoid the use                  developed nature of the discharge
                                                                                                            of special characters and any form of                 reports. The nature of the discharge
                                                      During the development of the                         encryption.
                                                    proposed rule, the EPA and DoD                                                                                reports discuss how the discharge is
                                                                                                               Tips for Preparing Comments. Please                generated, volumes and frequencies of
                                                    consulted with other federal agencies,                  follow these guidelines as you prepare
                                                    states, and tribes regarding the                                                                              the generated discharge, where the
                                                                                                            your comments so that the EPA and                     discharge occurs, and the constituents
                                                    reduction of adverse environmental                      DoD can better address them in a timely
                                                    impacts associated with discharges from                                                                       present in the discharge. In addition, the
                                                                                                            manner.                                               EPA and DoD reviewed relevant
                                                    vessels of the Armed Forces;
                                                    development of innovative vessel                           1. Identify the proposed rule by                   discharge information in the supporting
                                                    pollution control technology; and                       docket number and other identifying                   documentation of the NPDES VGPs. The
                                                    advancement of environmentally sound                    information (subject heading, Federal                 EPA and DoD briefly describe the nature
                                                    vessels of the Armed Forces. In                         Register date, and page number).                      of each of the 11 discharges below;
                                                    addition, the EPA and DoD reviewed                         2. Explain why you agree or disagree               however, the complete nature of the
                                                    comments on the NPDES VGPs.                             with any proposed discharge                           discharge reports can be found in
                                                                                                            performance standards; suggest                        Appendix A of the Technical
                                                    G. Supporting Documentation                             alternatives and substitute language for              Development Document—EPA 821–R–
                                                       The proposed rule is supported by                    your requested changes.                               99–001.
                                                    ‘‘Technical Development Document                           3. Describe any assumptions and                    B. Environmental Effects
                                                    (TDD) Phase I Uniform National                          provide any technical information or
                                                    Discharge Standards (UNDS) for Vessels                  data that you used.                                      Discharges incidental to the normal
                                                    of the Armed Forces,’’ the UNDS Phase                                                                         operation of a vessel of the Armed
                                                                                                               4. Provide specific examples to
                                                    I rules, the ‘‘Final 2013 Vessel General                                                                      Forces have the potential to negatively
                                                                                                            illustrate your concerns and suggest
                                                    Permit for Discharges Incidental to the                                                                       impact the aquatic environment. The
                                                                                                            alternatives.
                                                    Normal Operation of Vessels (VGP),’’                                                                          discharges contain a wide variety of
                                                    the ‘‘Vessel General Permit (VGP) Fact                     5. Explain your views as clearly as                constituents that have the potential to
                                                    Sheet,’’ the ‘‘Final Small Vessel General               possible.                                             negatively impact aquatic species and
                                                    Permit for Discharges Incidental to the                    Make sure to submit your comments                  habitats. These discharges can cause
                                                    Normal Operation of Vessels Less Than                   by the comment period deadline. The                   thermal pollution and can contain
                                                    79 Feet (sVGP),’’ the ‘‘Small Vessel                    EPA and DoD are not obligated to accept               aquatic nuisance species (ANS),
                                                    General Permit (sVGP) Fact Sheet,’’ the                 or consider late comments.                            nutrients, bacteria or pathogens (e.g., E.
                                                    ‘‘Economics and Benefits Analysis of                    II. UNDS Performance Standards                        coli and fecal coliforms), oil and grease,
                                                    the Final 2013 Vessel General Permit                    Development                                           metals, most conventional pollutants
                                                    (VGP),’’ the ‘‘Economics and Benefits                                                                         (e.g., organic matter, bicarbonate, and
                                                    Analysis of the Final 2013 Small Vessel                    During the development of the                      suspended solids), and other toxic and
                                                    General Permit (sVGP),’’ the ‘‘February                 proposed discharge performance                        non-conventional pollutants with toxic
                                                    2014 Uniform National Discharge                         standards, the EPA and DoD analyzed                   effects. While it is unlikely that these
                                                    Standards for Vessels of the Armed                      the information from the Phase I of                   discharges would cause an acute or
                                                    Forces—Phase II,’’ the ‘‘Report to                      UNDS, considered the relevant language                chronic exceedance of the EPA
                                                    Congress: Study of Discharges                           in the NPDES VGPs effluent limitations,               recommended water quality criteria
                                                    Incidental to Normal Operation of                       and took into the consideration the                   across a large water body, these
                                                    Commercial Fishing Vessels and Other                    seven statutory factors listed in CWA                 discharges have the potential to cause
                                                    Non-Recreational Vessels Less than 79                   section 312(n)(2)(B). These seven                     adverse environmental impacts on a
                                                    Feet,’’ and the ‘‘Environmentally                       statutory factors are: The nature of the              more localized scale due to the end-of-
                                                    Acceptable Lubricants.’’ These                          discharge; the environmental effects of               pipe nature of the discharges. For each
                                                    documents are available from the EPA                    the discharge; the practicability of using            of the 11 discharges below, the EPA and
                                                    Water Docket, Docket No. EPA–HQ–                        the MPCD; the effect that installation or             DoD discuss the constituents of concern
                                                    OW–2016–0351 (Email: ow-docket@                         use of the MPCD would have on the                     released into the environment and
                                                    epa.gov; Phone Number: (202) 566–                       operation or operational capability of                potential water quality impacts. The
                                                    2426; Mail: Water Docket, Mail Code:                    the vessel; applicable U.S. law;                      proposed discharge performance
                                                    2822–IT, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,                      applicable international standards; and               standards would reduce the discharge of
                                                    NW., Washington, DC 20460; or Online:                   the economic costs of the installation                constituents of concern and mitigate the
                                                    http://www.regulations.gov). The                        and use of the MPCD. The EPA and DoD                  environmental risks to the receiving
                                                    NPDES VGPs background documents                         determined that the NPDES VGPs                        waters.
                                                    also are available online: https://                     effluent limitations, which include
                                                                                                            technology-based and water quality-                   C. Cost, Practicability, and Operational
                                                    www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels.
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                                                                                                            based effluent limitations, provide a                 Impacts
                                                    H. What should I consider as I prepare                  sound basis to serve as a baseline for                  The universe of vessels of the Armed
                                                    my comments?                                            developing the discharge performance                  Forces affected by the proposed rule
                                                      The public may submit comments in                     standards for the 11 discharges in this               encompasses more than 6,000 vessels
                                                    written or electronic form. Electronic                  proposed rule. The subsections below                  distributed among the U.S. Navy,
                                                    comments must be identified by the                      outline the EPA and DoD’s approach to                 Military Sealift Command, U.S. Coast
                                                    docket number EPA–HQ–OW–2016–                           considering the seven statutory factors               Guard, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps,
                                                    0351. These electronic submissions will                 listed in CWA section 312(n)(2)(B).                   and U.S. Air Force. These vessels range


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                                                    69758                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    in design and size from small boats with                Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships; Act to                 statutory factors listed in CWA section
                                                    lengths of less than 20 feet for coastal                Prevent Pollution from Ships; CWA                     312(n)(2)(B). For more information on
                                                    operations, to aircraft carriers with                   section 311, as amended by the Oil                    each discharge included in this
                                                    lengths of over 1,000 feet for global                   Pollution Control Act of 1990; CWA                    proposed rule, please see the Phase I
                                                    operations. Approximately 80 percent of                 section 402 and the National Pollutant                Uniform National Discharge Standards
                                                    the vessels of the Armed Forces are less                Discharge Elimination System Vessel                   for Vessels of the Armed Forces:
                                                    than 79 feet in length. Larger vessels                  General Permit and small Vessel                       Technical Development Document; EPA
                                                    (i.e., vessels with length greater than or              General Permit; Federal Insecticide,                  821–R–99–001.
                                                    equal to 79 feet) comprise 20 percent of                Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act                           The 11 proposed discharge
                                                    the vessels of the Armed Forces. The                    (FIFRA); Hazardous Materials                          performance standards described in
                                                    EPA and DoD considered vessel class,                    Transportation Act; Title X of the Coast              each section below apply to vessels of
                                                    type, and size when developing the                      Guard Authorization Act of 2010;                      the Armed Forces operating within
                                                    proposed discharge standards as not all                 National Marine Sanctuaries Act;                      waters subject to UNDS, except as
                                                    vessels of the Armed Forces have the                    Antiquities Act of 1906; Resource                     otherwise expressly excluded in the
                                                    same discharges. For more information                   Conservation and Recovery Act; Toxic                  ‘‘exceptions’’ in 40 CFR 1700.39. In
                                                    on the various vessel classes,                          Substances Control Act; and the St.                   addition, if two or more regulated
                                                    characteristics, and missions, see                      Lawrence Seaway Regulations. The EPA                  discharge streams are combined prior to
                                                    Appendix A.                                             and DoD invite comment on the                         discharge, then the resulting discharge
                                                       The EPA and DoD assessed the                         application of the laws and                           would need to meet the discharge
                                                    relative costs, practicability, and                     international standards considered in                 performance standards applicable to
                                                    operational impacts of the proposed rule                the development of the proposed                       each of the discharges that are being
                                                    by comparing current operating                          discharge performance standards.                      combined (40 CFR 1700.40).
                                                    conditions and practices of vessels of                                                                        Furthermore, recordkeeping (40 CFR
                                                    the Armed Forces with the anticipated                   E. Definitions
                                                                                                                                                                  1700.41) and non-compliance reporting
                                                    operating conditions and practices that                   The EPA and DoD propose adding                      (40 CFR 1700.42) apply generally to
                                                    would be required to meet the proposed                  UNDS definitions to 40 CFR part 1700.                 each proposed discharge performance
                                                    discharge performance standards. The                    Specifically, the proposal would                      standard unless expressly provided in a
                                                    EPA and DoD determined that the                         establish new definitions or revise                   particular discharge performance
                                                    proposed discharge performance                          proposed definitions found in UNDS                    standard.
                                                    standards applicable to operating                       Phase II Batch One (79 FR 6117,
                                                    conditions and practices for the 11                     February 3, 2014) for the following                   A. Catapult Water Brake Tank and Post-
                                                    discharges would only result in a                       terms: Bioaccumulative; Biodegradable;                Launch Retraction Exhaust
                                                    marginal increase in performance costs,                 environmentally acceptable lubricants;                1. Nature of Discharge
                                                    practicability, and operational impacts.                Great Lakes; minimally-toxic;
                                                                                                            minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners, and                     Catapult water brake tank and post-
                                                    D. Applicable U.S. and International                    detergents; not bioaccumulative;                      launch retraction exhaust is the oily
                                                    Law                                                     phosphate free soaps, cleaners, and                   water skimmed from the water brake
                                                      The EPA and DoD reviewed U.S. laws                    detergents; and state. The EPA and DoD                tank and the condensed steam
                                                    and international standards that would                  propose defining these terms in order to              discharged during catapult operations.
                                                    be relevant to discharges incidental to                 support the proposal of the discharge                 Catapult water brakes stop the forward
                                                    the normal operation of a vessel of the                 performance standards described in the                motion of an aircraft carrier catapult
                                                    Armed Forces. A number of U.S.                          following section. These definitions are              system used to launch various aircraft
                                                    environmental laws include specific                     intended to clarify, simplify, or improve             from Navy aircraft carriers. In waters
                                                    provisions for federal facilities and                   understanding of the proposed                         subject to UNDS, the catapult water
                                                    properties that may result in different                 discharge performance standards. Some                 brake is primarily used for testing
                                                    environmental requirements for federal                  of the definitions are slightly different             catapults on recently constructed
                                                    and non-federal entities. Similarly,                    from the definitions established under                aircraft carriers, following major
                                                    many international treaties do not apply                the NPDES VGPs in order to increase                   drydock overhauls, or after major
                                                    to vessels of the Armed Forces either                   clarity and understanding. The EPA and                catapult modifications. Most flight
                                                    because vessels of the Armed Forces are                 DoD invite comment on these                           operations occur outside of waters
                                                    entitled to sovereign immunity under                    definitions as applied to the specific                subject to UNDS. The catapult water
                                                    international law or because any                        proposed discharge performance                        brake tank serves as the water supply for
                                                    particular treaty may apply different                   standards for vessels of the Armed                    the catapult water brake system. During
                                                    approaches to the adoption of                           Forces.                                               each aircraft launch or test, lubricating
                                                    appropriate environmental control                                                                             oil is introduced to the catapult water
                                                    measures consistent with the objects                    III. UNDS Discharge Analysis and                      brake tank by the catapult pistons; as
                                                    and purposes of such treaties. The EPA                  Performance Standards                                 the water is recirculated through the
                                                    and DoD incorporated any relevant                          This section describes the nature of               catapult water brake and the water brake
                                                    information in the development of the                   the discharge, the environmental effects              tank, oil accumulates in the tank. The
                                                    proposed discharge standards after                      of the discharge, and the proposed                    testing alone of the catapult water brake
                                                    reviewing the requirements of the                       discharge performance standards                       does not generate a sufficient
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                                                    following treaties and domestic                         determined to be reasonable and                       accumulation of oily water in the
                                                    implementing legislation, as well as                    practicable to mitigate the adverse                   catapult water brake tank to generate a
                                                    other relevant and potentially                          impacts to the marine environment for                 discharge. However, during flight
                                                    applicable U.S. environmental laws:                     the 11 discharges. In developing these                operations the oily water from the
                                                    International Convention for the                        standards, the EPA and DoD considered                 catapult water brake tank is discharged
                                                    Prevention of Pollution from Ships (also                the information from Phase I of UNDS,                 above the waterline.
                                                    referred to as MARPOL); International                   Phase II of UNDS, the NPDES VGPs                         During the post-launch retraction of
                                                    Convention on the Control of Harmful                    effluent limitations, and the seven                   the catapult piston, the condensed


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                         69759

                                                    steam remaining in the power cylinder                   B. Controllable Pitch Propeller                       metals such as copper, aluminum, tin,
                                                    and a small amount of residual oil from                 Hydraulic Fluid                                       nickel, and lead. Metal concentrations
                                                    the catapult cylinder are discharged                                                                          are expected to be insignificant because
                                                                                                            1. Nature of Discharge
                                                    overboard through the catapult exhaust                                                                        hydraulic fluid is not corrosive to metal
                                                    piping. Catapult flight operations                         Controllable pitch propeller (CPP)                 piping, and the hydraulic fluid is
                                                    (including qualification and operational                hydraulic fluid is the hydraulic fluid                continually filtered to protect against
                                                    training) and testing both generate the                 that discharges into the receiving waters             system failures. The use of shore
                                                    post-launch retraction exhaust                          from propeller seals as part of normal                facilities for CPP maintenance activities
                                                    discharge.                                              operation, and the hydraulic fluid                    when possible would reduce the
                                                                                                            released during routine maintenance of                discharge of hydraulic fluid. The use of
                                                       Only Navy aircraft carriers, which                   the propellers. CPPs are used to control              spill containment measures would
                                                    represent less than one percent of                      a vessel’s speed or direction while                   minimize any adverse environmental
                                                    vessels of the Armed Forces, are likely                 maintaining a constant propulsion plant               effects, should the release of oil occur.
                                                    to produce catapult water brake tank                    output (i.e., varying the pitch or ‘‘bite’’           Reducing the likelihood of discharge of
                                                    and post-launch retraction exhaust                      of the propeller blades without varying               CPP hydraulic fluid and the associated
                                                    discharge.                                              the propulsion shaft speed). High-                    constituents of concern would protect
                                                       For more information regarding                       pressure hydraulic oil is used                        the quality of the receiving waters.
                                                    catapult water brake tank and post-                     throughout the CPP system of pumps,
                                                    launch retraction exhaust discharge,                    pistons, crossheads, and crank rings.                 3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control
                                                    please see the catapult water brake tank                The hydraulic fluid might be discharged               Device Performance Standard
                                                    and post-launch retraction exhaust                      into the surrounding water due to leaks                 The EPA and DoD propose to require
                                                    nature of the discharge report in                       associated with CPP seals and during                  that the protective seals on CPPs be
                                                    Appendix A of the Technical                             routine maintenance or replacement of                 maintained in good operating order to
                                                    Development Document—EPA 821–R–                         the propellers.                                       minimize the leakage of hydraulic fluid.
                                                    99–001.                                                    Leakage through CPP seals is most                  To the greatest extent practicable,
                                                                                                            likely to occur while the vessel is                   maintenance activities on CPPs should
                                                    2. Environmental Effects                                underway because the CPP system                       be conducted when a vessel is in
                                                                                                            operates under higher pressure when                   drydock. If maintenance and repair
                                                      The catapult water brake tank and                     underway than at pierside or at anchor.
                                                    post-launch retraction exhaust                                                                                activities must occur when the vessel is
                                                                                                            CPP assemblies are typically designed to              not in drydock, appropriate spill
                                                    discharges could negatively impact                      operate at 400 pounds per square inch
                                                    receiving waters due to the presence of                                                                       response equipment (e.g., oil booms)
                                                                                                            (psi) without leaking. Typical CPP                    must be used to contain and clean any
                                                    lubricating oil and small amounts of                    internal pressures while pierside range
                                                    metals generated within the catapult                                                                          oil leakage. The discharge of CPP
                                                                                                            from 6 to 8 psi. CPP seals are designed               hydraulic fluid must not contain oil in
                                                    system itself. Additionally, the post-                  to last five to seven years, which is the             quantities that: Cause a film or sheen
                                                    launch retraction exhaust discharge                     longest period between scheduled dry-                 upon or discoloration of the surface of
                                                    contains oil and water (in the                          dock cycles, and are inspected quarterly              the water or adjoining shorelines; or
                                                    condensed steam), nitrogen (in the form                 for damage or excessive wear. As a                    cause a sludge or emulsion to be
                                                    of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, and                  result of the hub design and frequent                 deposited beneath the surface of the
                                                    total nitrogen), and metals such as                     CPP seal inspections, leaks of hydraulic              water or upon adjoining shorelines; or
                                                    copper and nickel from the piping                       fluid from CPP hubs are expected to be                contain an oil content above 15 parts
                                                    systems. Among the constituents, oil,                   negligible.                                           per million (ppm) as measured by EPA
                                                    copper, lead, nickel, nitrogen, ammonia,                   CPP blade maintenance or                           Method 1664a or other appropriate
                                                    bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, phosphorus,                replacement, which occurs in port on an               method for determination of oil content
                                                    and benzidine could be present in                       as-needed basis when dry-docking is                   as accepted by the International
                                                    concentrations that exceed the EPA                      unavailable or impractical, also might                Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO
                                                    recommended water quality criteria.                     result in the discharge of hydraulic                  Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
                                                      Prohibiting the discharge of catapult                 fluid.                                                otherwise are harmful to the public
                                                    water brake tank effluent and limiting                     U.S. Coast Guard patrol ships, Navy                health or welfare of the United States.
                                                    the number of post-launch retraction                    surface combatants and some
                                                    exhaust discharges to only those                        amphibious support ships, and some                    C. Deck Runoff
                                                    required to support necessary testing                   Military Sealift Command auxiliary                    1. Nature of Discharge
                                                    and training operations would                           ships might produce this discharge.
                                                                                                            Those ships represent approximately                      Deck runoff is an intermittent
                                                    significantly limit the potential for                                                                         discharge generated from precipitation,
                                                    release of the associated constituents of               five percent of the vessels of the Armed
                                                                                                            Forces.                                               freshwater washdowns, wave action, or
                                                    concern and protect the quality of the                                                                        seawater spray falling on the weather
                                                    receiving waters.                                          For more information regarding
                                                                                                            discharges from CPP systems, please see               deck or the flight deck that is discharged
                                                    3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control                the CPP hydraulic fluid nature of the                 overboard through deck openings. Deck
                                                    Device Performance Standard                             discharge report in Appendix A of the                 runoff contains any residues that may be
                                                                                                            Technical Development Document—                       present on the deck surface.
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                                                      The EPA and DoD propose to prohibit                   EPA 821–R–99–001.                                        Residues and contaminants present
                                                    the discharge of catapult water brake                                                                         on the deck originate from topside
                                                    tank effluent and to minimize post-                     2. Environmental Effects                              equipment components as well as the
                                                    launch retraction exhaust discharges by                    The amount of hydraulic fluid                      varied activities that take place on the
                                                    limiting the number of launches                         released during underwater CPP                        deck. Some or all of these pollutants can
                                                    required to test and validate the system                maintenance could cause a sheen in the                be introduced to the deck from
                                                    and conduct qualification and                           receiving waters. Constituents of the                 shipboard activities, storage of material
                                                    operational training.                                   discharge include paraffins, olefins, and             on the deck, maintenance activities, and


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                                                    69760                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    the decking material itself. Deck runoff                cleaners, and detergents should not be                commodes, firemain loop recirculation,
                                                    has the potential to contain a variety of               caustic and must be biodegradable.                    and pulpers.
                                                    pollutants, including oil and grease,                   Where feasible, machinery on deck must                   Firemain systems for vessels of the
                                                    petroleum hydrocarbons, surfactants,                    have coamings or drip pans where                      Armed Forces fall into two categories:
                                                    soaps and detergents, glycols, solvents,                necessary to collect any oily discharge               Wet and dry firemains. Wet firemains
                                                    and metals. Constituents and volumes of                 that may leak from machinery and                      are continuously pressurized so that the
                                                    deck runoff vary widely depending on                    prevent spills. The drip pans must be                 system has the capacity to provide water
                                                    the purpose, service, and practices of                  drained to a waste container for proper               immediately upon demand. Dry
                                                    the vessel.                                             disposal onshore in accordance with                   firemains are not charged with water
                                                       All vessels of the Armed Forces                      any applicable oil and hazardous                      and, as a result, do not supply water
                                                    generate deck runoff and the discharge                  substance management and disposal                     upon demand. Most Navy surface
                                                    occurs whenever the deck surface is                     requirements. The presence of floating                vessels operate wet firemains and most
                                                    exposed to water. Only vessels of the                   solids, visible foam, halogenated phenol              Military Sealift Command vessels, U.S.
                                                    Armed Forces that support flight                        compounds, and dispersants and                        Coast Guard, and U.S. Army vessels use
                                                    operations have flight decks. The                       surfactants in deck washdowns must be                 dry firemains.
                                                    proposed standards distinguish between                  minimized. Topside surfaces and other                    The firemain system includes all
                                                    flight decks and other vessel decks.                                                                          components between the fire pump
                                                                                                            above-water-line portions of the vessel
                                                       For more information regarding deck                                                                        suction sea chest and the cutout valves
                                                                                                            must be well-maintained to minimize
                                                    runoff, please see the deck runoff nature                                                                     to the various services including sea
                                                                                                            the discharge of rust and other corrosion
                                                    of the discharge report in Appendix A                                                                         chests, fire pumps, valves, piping, fire
                                                                                                            by-products, cleaning compounds, paint
                                                    of the Technical Development                                                                                  hoses, and heat exchangers. The water
                                                                                                            chips, non-skid material fragments, and               passed through the firemain system is
                                                    Document—EPA 821–R–99–001.
                                                                                                            other materials associated with exterior              drawn from the sea and returned to the
                                                    2. Environmental Effects                                topside surface preservation. Residual                sea by either discharge over the side
                                                       Deck runoff could negatively impact                  paint droplets entering the water must                from fire hoses or through submerged
                                                    receiving waters due to the possible                    be minimized when conducting                          pipe outlets. The seawater discharged
                                                    presence of oil and grease, petroleum                   maintenance painting. The discharge of                overboard from the firemain system can
                                                    hydrocarbons, surfactants, soaps and                    unused paint is prohibited. Paint chips               contain entrained or dissolved
                                                    detergents, glycols, solvents, and metals.              and unused paint residues must be                     materials, principally metals, from
                                                    These constituents may be present in                    collected and disposed of onshore in                  natural degradation of the internal
                                                    concentrations that could potentially                   accordance with applicable solid waste                components of the firemain system
                                                    contribute to an exceedance of the EPA                  and hazardous substance management                    itself. Some traces of oil or other
                                                    recommended water quality criteria.                     and disposal requirements. When                       lubricants may also enter the seawater
                                                    Existing DoD management practices                       vessels conduct underway fuel                         from valves or pumps. If the firemain
                                                    provide for the clean-up of oil and other               replenishment, scuppers must be                       system is used for a secondary use and
                                                    substances spilled during routine                       plugged to prevent the discharge of oil.              a performance standard does not exist
                                                    maintenance. These practices reduce the                 Any oil spilled must be cleaned,                      for that secondary use, then the
                                                    environmental effects of the discharge.                 managed, and disposed of onshore in                   performance standard for the firemain
                                                    Prohibiting the washdown of flight                      accordance with any applicable onshore                system applies.
                                                    decks and restricting the discharge of                  oil and hazardous substance                              Most vessels of the Armed Forces
                                                    deck runoff and the associated                          management and disposal requirements.                 greater than or equal to 79 feet in length
                                                    constituents of concern would protect                                                                         are expected to discharge from firemain
                                                                                                            D. Firemain Systems
                                                    the quality of the receiving waters.                                                                          systems. Most boats and service craft
                                                    3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control                1. Nature of Discharge                                that are less than 79 feet in length do
                                                    Device Performance Standard                                                                                   not generate firemain systems discharge
                                                                                                               Firemain system discharges consist of              because smaller boats and craft typically
                                                       The EPA and DoD propose to require                   the surrounding water pumped through                  use portable fire pumps or fire
                                                    that vessels prohibit flight deck                       the firemain system for testing,                      extinguishers. Approximately 20
                                                    washdowns and minimize deck                             maintenance, and training, as well as                 percent of vessels of the Armed Forces
                                                    washdowns while in port and in                          secondary uses for the operation of                   produce firemain systems discharge.
                                                    federally-protected-waters.                             certain vessel systems. Firemain                         For more information regarding
                                                    Additionally, before deck washdowns                     systems are essential to the safety of a              firemain systems, please see the
                                                    occur, exposed decks must be broom                      vessel and crew and therefore, require                firemain systems nature of the discharge
                                                    cleaned and on-deck debris, garbage,                    testing and maintenance. The                          report in Appendix A of the Technical
                                                    paint chips, residues, and spills must be               firefighting equipment served by a                    Development Document—EPA 821–R–
                                                    removed, collected, and disposed of                     vessel’s firemain system includes fire                99–001.
                                                    onshore in accordance with any                          hose stations, seawater sprinkling
                                                    applicable solid waste or hazardous                     systems, and foam proportioning                       2. Environmental Effects
                                                    waste management and disposal                           stations. Any foam discharges                            Discharges from the firemain system
                                                    requirements. If a deck washdown or                     associated with firemain systems are not              could negatively impact receiving
                                                    above water line hull cleaning would                    covered under this performance                        waters due to the possible presence of
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                                                    create a discharge, the washdown or                     standard but would need to meet the                   copper, zinc, nickel, aluminum, tin,
                                                    above water line cleaning must be                       requirements of 40 CFR 1700.14                        silver, iron, titanium, and chromium.
                                                    conducted with minimally-toxic and                      (aqueous film-forming foam). The                      Many of these constituents can be traced
                                                    phosphate free soaps, cleaners, and                     secondary uses of wet firemain systems                to the corrosion and erosion of the
                                                    detergents. The use of soaps that are                   may include deck washdowns, cooling                   firemain piping system, valves, or
                                                    labeled as toxic is prohibited. All soaps               water for auxiliary machinery, eductors,              pumps. Consequently, when feasible,
                                                    and cleaners must be used as directed                   ship stabilization and ballast tank                   the maintenance and training discharges
                                                    by the label. Furthermore, soaps,                       filling, and flushing for urinals,                    from the firemain should occur outside


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                          69761

                                                    of ports or other shallow waters.                         For more information regarding                      also be free from bioaccumulative
                                                    Restricting the discharge from firemain                 graywater, please see the graywater                   compounds and not lead to extreme
                                                    systems and the associated constituents                 nature of the discharge in Appendix A                 shifts in the receiving water pH (i.e., pH
                                                    of concern would protect the quality of                 of the Technical Development                          to fall below 6.0 or rise above 9.0).
                                                    the receiving waters.                                   Document—EPA 821–R–99–001.                               For vessels designed with the capacity
                                                    3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control                2. Environmental Effects                              to hold graywater, EPA and DoD
                                                    Device Performance Standard                                                                                   propose to require that graywater must
                                                                                                               Graywater discharges may contain
                                                                                                                                                                  not be discharged in federally-protected
                                                       Firemain systems may be discharged                   soaps and detergents; oil and grease
                                                                                                                                                                  waters or the Great Lakes. In addition,
                                                    for testing and inspections of the                      from foods; food residue; nutrients and
                                                                                                                                                                  such vessels would be prohibited from
                                                    firemain system. The EPA and DoD                        oxygen demand from food residues and
                                                                                                                                                                  discharging graywater within one mile
                                                    propose to require that to the greatest                 detergents; hair; bleach and other
                                                                                                            cleaners and disinfectants; pathogens;                of shore if an onshore facility is
                                                    extent practicable, firemain system                                                                           available and use of such a facility is
                                                    maintenance and training be conducted                   and a variety of additional personal care
                                                                                                            products such as moisturizer,                         reasonable and practicable. When an
                                                    outside of port and as far away from                                                                          onshore facility is either not available or
                                                                                                            deodorant, perfume, and cosmetics.
                                                    shore as possible. In addition, firemain                                                                      when use of such a facility is not
                                                                                                            Graywater discharge could negatively
                                                    systems must not be discharged in                                                                             reasonable and practicable, production
                                                                                                            impact receiving waters due to the
                                                    federally-protected waters except when                                                                        and discharge of graywater must be
                                                                                                            possible presence of bacteria, pathogens,
                                                    needed to comply with anchor                                                                                  minimized within one mile of shore.
                                                                                                            oil and grease, detergent and soap
                                                    washdown requirements in Subpart                                                                                 For vessels that do not have the
                                                                                                            residue, metals (e.g., cadmium,
                                                    1700.16 (Chain locker effluent).                                                                              capacity to hold graywater, EPA and
                                                                                                            chromium, lead, copper, zinc, silver,
                                                    Firemain systems may be used for                                                                              DoD propose to require that graywater
                                                                                                            nickel, and mercury), solids, and
                                                    secondary uses if the intake comes                                                                            production must be minimized in
                                                                                                            nutrients (e.g., phosphates from the
                                                    directly from the surrounding waters or                                                                       federally-protected waters or the Great
                                                                                                            detergents). Of these constituents, the
                                                    potable water supplies.                                 EPA and DoD have found ammonia,                       Lakes. In addition, such vessels would
                                                    E. Graywater                                            copper, lead, mercury, nickel, silver,                be prohibited from discharging
                                                                                                            and zinc in concentrations that may                   graywater within one mile of shore if an
                                                    1. Nature of Discharge                                  exceed the EPA recommended water                      onshore facility is available and use of
                                                       Graywater is galley, bath, and shower                quality criteria. Restricting the discharge           such a facility is reasonable and
                                                    water, as well as wastewater from                       of graywater and the associated                       practicable. When an onshore facility is
                                                    lavatory sinks, laundry, interior deck                  constituents of concern would protect                 either not available or use of such a
                                                    drains, water fountains, and shop sinks.                the quality of the receiving waters.                  facility is not reasonable and
                                                    On vessels of the Armed Forces,                                                                               practicable, production and discharge of
                                                                                                            3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control
                                                    graywater is distinct from blackwater.                  Device Performance Standard                           graywater must be minimized within
                                                    Blackwater is the sewage generated by                                                                         one mile of shore.
                                                                                                               The EPA and DoD propose to require
                                                    toilets and urinals and is regulated                                                                          F. Hull Coating Leachate
                                                                                                            that large quantities of cooking oils (e.g.,
                                                    separately. Graywater discharges can
                                                                                                            from deep fat fryers), including animal               1. Nature of Discharge
                                                    contain oil and grease, detergent and
                                                                                                            fats and vegetable oils, must not be
                                                    soap residue, bacteria, pathogens,                                                                               Hull coating leachate is defined as the
                                                                                                            added to graywater systems. The EPA
                                                    metals (e.g., cadmium, chromium, lead,                                                                        constituents that leach, dissolve, ablate,
                                                                                                            and DoD further propose to require that
                                                    copper, zinc, silver, nickel, and                                                                             or erode from the paint on the vessel
                                                                                                            the addition of smaller quantities of
                                                    mercury), solids, and nutrients.                                                                              hull into the surrounding seawater.
                                                                                                            cooking oils (e.g., from pot and dish
                                                       Vessels of the Armed Forces have                     rinsing) to the graywater system must be              Antifouling hull coatings are often used
                                                    different methods for collecting and                    minimized when the vessel is within                   on vessel hulls to prevent or inhibit the
                                                    discharging graywater. Most vessels are                 three miles of shore. The EPA and DoD                 attachment and growth of aquatic life or
                                                    designed to direct graywater to the                     propose to require that graywater                     biofouling and contain biocides which
                                                    vessel’s sewage tanks while pierside for                discharges must not contain oil in                    are used to prevent biofouling growth
                                                    transfer to a shore-based treatment                     quantities that cause a film or sheen                 on the hull by continuous leaching of
                                                    facility. These vessels are not generally               upon or discoloration of the surface of               biocides into the surrounding water.
                                                    designed to hold graywater for extended                 the water or adjoining shorelines; or                 The primary biocide in most antifouling
                                                    periods of time and must drain or pump                  cause a sludge or emulsion to be                      hull coatings is copper, although zinc is
                                                    their graywater overboard while                         deposited beneath the surface of the                  also used. Copper ablative coatings,
                                                    operating away from the pier in order to                water or upon adjoining shorelines; or                which are designed to wear or ablate
                                                    preserve holding capacity for sewage                    contain an oil content above 15 ppm as                away as a result of water flow over a
                                                    tanks. Some vessels with either larger                  measured by EPA Method 1664a or                       hull, and vinyl antifouling hull coatings,
                                                    graywater holding capacity or U.S. Coast                other appropriate method for                          which release copper as a result of
                                                    Guard-certified marine sanitation                       determination of oil content as accepted              copper leaching and hydrolysis of rosin
                                                    devices (MSDs) have the capacity to                     by the International Maritime                         particles, are the most predominantly
                                                    hold or treat graywater for longer                      Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method                  used copper-containing coatings.
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                                                    periods of time.                                        9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or otherwise               Tributyltin (TBT)-based coatings were
                                                       Approximately 20 percent of the                      are harmful to the public health or                   historically used on vessel hulls;
                                                    vessels of the Armed Forces (i.e., aircraft             welfare of the United States. In addition,            however, antifouling coatings with
                                                    carriers, surface combatants,                           minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners and                   organotin (e.g., TBT) compounds used
                                                    amphibious support ships, submarines,                   detergents and phosphate free soaps,                  as active ingredients are no longer
                                                    patrol ships, and some auxiliary ships,                 cleaners, and detergents must be used in              authorized for use in the United States
                                                    boats, and service craft) generate                      the galley, scullery, and laundry. These              and as such are no longer applied to
                                                    graywater.                                              soaps, cleaners, and detergents should                vessels of the Armed Forces.


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                                                    69762                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                      Approximately 50 percent of the                       use of non-biocidal alternatives to                   3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control
                                                    vessels of the Armed Forces use                         copper coatings to the greatest extent                Device Performance Standard
                                                    antifouling hull coatings and contribute                practicable. The EPA and DoD also
                                                    to the hull coating leachate discharge                                                                          The EPA and DoD propose to require
                                                                                                            recommend to the greatest extent
                                                    when they are waterborne.                                                                                     that the discharge of motor gasoline and
                                                                                                            practicable, the use of antifouling hull
                                                      For more information regarding hull                                                                         compensating effluent must not contain
                                                                                                            coatings with the lowest effective
                                                    coating leachate, please see the hull                                                                         oil in quantities that: Cause a film or
                                                                                                            biocide release rates, rapidly
                                                    coating leachate nature of the discharge                                                                      sheen upon or discoloration of the
                                                                                                            biodegradable components (once
                                                    report in Appendix A of the Technical                                                                         surface of the water or adjoining
                                                                                                            separated from the hull surface), or use
                                                    Development Document—EPA 821–R–                                                                               shorelines; or cause a sludge or
                                                                                                            of non-biocidal alternatives, such as
                                                    99–001.                                                                                                       emulsion to be deposited beneath the
                                                                                                            silicone coatings. Finally, to the greatest
                                                                                                                                                                  surface of the water or upon adjoining
                                                    2. Environmental Effects                                extent practicable, avoid the use of anti-
                                                                                                                                                                  shorelines; or contain an oil content
                                                                                                            fouling hull coatings on vessels that are
                                                       The discharge of hull coating leachate                                                                     above 15 ppm as measured by the EPA
                                                                                                            regularly removed from the water and
                                                    could negatively impact receiving                                                                             Method 1664a or other appropriate
                                                                                                            unlikely to accumulate hull growth.
                                                    waters due to the presence of copper                                                                          method for determination of oil content
                                                    and zinc that are used as biocides.                     G. Motor Gasoline and Compensating                    as accepted by the IMO (e.g., ISO
                                                    While the rate at which the metals leach                Discharge                                             Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
                                                    from coatings is relatively slow (4–17                                                                        otherwise are harmful to the public
                                                                                                            1. Nature of Discharge
                                                    micrograms per square centimeter-day                                                                          health or welfare of the United States.
                                                    (mg/cm2/day)), metal-leaching coatings                     Motor gasoline and compensating                    In addition, if an oily sheen is observed,
                                                    can account for significant                             discharge is the seawater taken into, and             the EPA and DoD propose to require
                                                    accumulations of metals in receiving                    discharged from, motor gasoline tanks to              that any spill or overflow of oil must be
                                                    waters of ports where numerous vessels                  eliminate free space where vapors could               cleaned up, recorded, and reported to
                                                    are present. The adverse impact could                   accumulate. Seawater, which is less                   the National Response Center
                                                    be significant in waters already                        buoyant than gasoline, occupies the free              immediately. The discharge of motor
                                                    classified as impaired due to elevated                  space to prevent potentially explosive                gasoline and compensating discharge
                                                    metal levels, for example, copper. While                gasoline vapors from forming. The                     must be minimized in port and is
                                                    the purpose of antifouling hull coatings                retained seawater is then discharged                  prohibited in federally-protected waters.
                                                    is to prevent marine organisms from                     when the vessel refills the tanks with
                                                    growing on the hull, an effective                                                                             H. Sonar Dome Discharge
                                                                                                            gasoline in port or when performing
                                                    antifoulant should minimize the                         maintenance. Motor gasoline and                       1. Nature of Discharge
                                                    attachment and transport of non-                        compensating effluent is likely to
                                                    indigenous species, decrease fuel usage,                                                                         Sonar dome discharge occurs from the
                                                                                                            contain residual oils and soluble traces              leaching of antifouling materials into
                                                    and reduce gaseous emissions.                           of gasoline components and additives,
                                                    Restricting the discharge of hull coating                                                                     the surrounding seawater and the
                                                                                                            as well as metals. Only U.S. Navy                     release of seawater or freshwater
                                                    leachate and the associated constituents                amphibious support ships, which
                                                    of concern would protect the quality of                                                                       retained within the sonar dome. Sonar
                                                                                                            represent less than one percent of the                domes are structures located on the hull
                                                    the receiving waters.                                   vessels of the Armed Forces, produce                  of ships and submarines, used for the
                                                    3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control                motor gasoline and compensating                       housing of electronic equipment for
                                                    Device Performance Standard                             discharge.                                            detection, navigation, and ranging. The
                                                       The EPA and DoD propose to require                      For more information regarding motor               shape and design pressure in sonar
                                                    that antifouling hull coatings subject to               gasoline and compensating discharge,                  domes are maintained by filling them
                                                    FIFRA (7 U.S.C 136 et seq.) must be                     please see the motor gasoline and                     with water. Antifouling materials are
                                                    applied, maintained, and removed in a                   compensating discharge nature of the                  used on the exterior of the sonar dome
                                                    manner consistent with requirements on                  discharge in Appendix A of the                        to prevent fouling which degrades sonar
                                                    the coatings’ FIFRA labels. The EPA and                 Technical Development Document—                       performance. Navy surface ship domes
                                                    DoD also propose to prohibit the use of                 EPA 821–R–99–001.                                     are made of rubber with an exterior
                                                    biocides or toxic materials banned for                  2. Environmental Effects                              layer that is impregnated with TBT. On
                                                    use in the United States (including                                                                           submarines and Military Sealift
                                                    those on EPA’s List of Banned or                           Motor gasoline and compensating                    Command surface ships, the sonar
                                                    Severely Restricted Pesticides). This                   discharge could negatively impact                     domes are made of steel or glass
                                                    proposed requirement would apply to                     receiving waters due to the presence of               reinforced plastic and do not contain
                                                    all vessels, including vessels with a hull              residual oil. The discharge may contain               TBT but are covered with an antifouling
                                                    coating applied outside of the United                   traces of gasoline constituents, which                coating.
                                                    States. Antifouling hull coatings must                  generally contain alkanes, alkenes,                      The discharge of the water from the
                                                    not contain TBT or other organotin                      aromatics (e.g., benzene, toluene,                    interior of the sonar domes primarily
                                                    compounds as a hull coating biocide.                    ethylbenzene, phenol, and                             occurs when the vessel is pierside and
                                                    Antifouling hull coatings may contain                   naphthalene), metals, and additives.                  is intermittent depending on when the
                                                    small quantities of organotin                           Analyses of compensating discharge                    dome is emptied for maintenance. On
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                                                    compounds when the organotin is used                    have shown that benzene, toluene,                     average, sonar domes on surface vessels
                                                    as a chemical catalyst and is not present               ethylbenzene, phenol, and naphthalene                 are emptied twice a year and sonar
                                                    above 2,500 milligrams of total tin per                 may exceed the EPA recommended                        domes on submarines are emptied once
                                                    kilogram of dry paint film. Also, any                   water quality criteria. Restricting the               a year. The discharge of sonar dome
                                                    such antifouling hull coatings used                     discharge of motor gasoline and                       water can range between 300 gallons to
                                                    must be designed to not slough or peel                  compensating discharge and the                        74,000 gallons depending on the size of
                                                    from the vessel hull. In addition, the                  associated constituents of concern                    the sonar dome and the type of
                                                    proposed standard would encourage the                   would protect the receiving waters.                   maintenance event.


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                         69763

                                                      Approximately ten percent of vessels                  Submarines have a drain system                        performance standard would not,
                                                    of the Armed Forces generate sonar                      consisting of a series of oily bilge                  however, prohibit the use of these
                                                    dome discharge. These vessel types                      collecting tanks and a waste oil                      materials in machinery spaces for the
                                                    include auxiliary ships, submarines,                    collecting tank or tank complex to                    purposes of cleaning and maintenance
                                                    and surface combatants.                                 collect oily wastewater. Discharges from              activities associated with vessel
                                                      For more information regarding sonar                  these tanks occur from the bottom of the              equipment and structures. The
                                                    dome discharge, please see the sonar                    tank after gravity separation. Some                   discharge of submarine bilgewater also
                                                    dome nature of the discharge report in                  submarines have baffles to enhance the                must only contain substances that are
                                                    Appendix A of the Technical                             separation of oil and water.                          produced in the normal operation of a
                                                    Development Document—EPA 821–R–                           Approximately one percent of the                    vessel. Oil solidifiers, flocculants, or
                                                    99–001.                                                 vessels of the Armed Forces are                       other additives (excluding any
                                                                                                            submarines and generate submarine                     dispersants or surfactants) may be used
                                                    2. Environmental Effects                                bilgewater. Most submarines do not                    to enhance oil/water separation during
                                                       Sonar dome discharge could                           discharge bilgewater while in transit                 processing in an oil-water separator
                                                    negatively impact receiving waters due                  within waters subject to UNDS and                     only if such solidifiers, flocculants, or
                                                    to the possible presence of antifouling                 instead hold and transfer submarine                   other additives are minimized in the
                                                    agents on the exterior rubber boots of                  bilgewater to a shore-based facility.                 discharge and do not alter the chemical
                                                    the sonar dome, as well as from tin,                    However, one class of submarines (SSN                 composition of the oils in the discharge.
                                                    zinc, copper, nickel, and epoxy paint                   688) discharges some of the water phase               Solidifiers, flocculants, or other
                                                    from a sonar dome interior. The                         of the separated bilgewater collecting                additives must not be directly added, or
                                                    concentrations of some of these                         tank, as necessary.                                   otherwise combined with, the water in
                                                    components are estimated to exceed the                    For more information regarding                      the bilge.
                                                    EPA recommended water quality                           submarine bilgewater, please see the                    The EPA and DoD propose to require
                                                    criteria. Restricting the sonar dome                    submarine bilgewater nature of the                    that submarine bilgewater discharges
                                                    discharge and the associated                            discharge report in the Technical                     must not occur while the submarine is
                                                    constituents of concern would protect                   Development Document—EPA–821–R–                       in port, when the port has the capability
                                                    the receiving waters.                                   99–001.                                               to collect and transfer the bilgewater to
                                                                                                            2. Environmental Effects                              an onshore facility. If the submarine is
                                                    3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control
                                                                                                                                                                  not in port, then any such discharge
                                                    Device Performance Standard                                Submarine bilgewater discharge could
                                                                                                                                                                  must be minimized and discharged as
                                                       The EPA and DoD propose to require                   negatively impact receiving waters due
                                                                                                                                                                  far from shore as technologically
                                                    that the water inside the sonar dome not                to the possible presence of oil and
                                                                                                                                                                  feasible. The EPA and DoD also propose
                                                    be discharged for maintenance activities                grease, volatile and semivolatile organic
                                                                                                                                                                  to require that submarine bilgewater
                                                    unless the use of a drydock for the                     compounds, and metals. These
                                                                                                                                                                  discharges be minimized in federally-
                                                    maintenance activity is not feasible. The               constituents occur in cleaning agents,
                                                                                                                                                                  protected waters. Finally, submarines
                                                    water inside the sonar dome may be                      solvents, fuel, lubricating oils, and
                                                                                                                                                                  would need to employ management
                                                    discharged for equalization of pressure                 hydraulic oils used on submarines and
                                                                                                                                                                  practices to minimize leakage of oil and
                                                    between the interior and exterior of the                may be present in concentrations that
                                                                                                                                                                  other harmful pollutants into the bilge.
                                                    dome. This would include the discharge                  could contribute to an exceedance of the
                                                    of water required to protect the shape,                 EPA recommended water quality                         J. Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water
                                                    integrity, and structure of the sonar                   criteria. Restricting the discharge of                Separator Effluent (OWSE)
                                                    dome due to internal and external                       submarine bilgewater and the associated
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Nature of Discharge
                                                    pressures and forces. The EPA and DoD                   constituents of concern would help to
                                                                                                            protect the receiving waters.                            Surface vessel bilgewater is the
                                                    also propose to require that a biofouling
                                                                                                                                                                  wastewater from a variety of sources
                                                    chemical that is bioaccumulative should                 3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control              that accumulates in the lowest part of
                                                    not be applied to the exterior of a sonar               Device Performance Standard                           the vessel (the bilge) and the oil-water
                                                    dome when a non-bioaccumulative                            The EPA and DoD propose to require                 separator effluent is produced when the
                                                    alternative is available.                               that the discharge of submarine                       wastewater is processed by an oil-water
                                                    I. Submarine Bilgewater                                 bilgewater must not contain oil in                    separator. Bilgewater consists of water
                                                                                                            quantities that cause a film or sheen                 and other residue that accumulates in a
                                                    1. Nature of Discharge                                  upon or discoloration of the surface of               compartment of the vessel’s hull or is
                                                       Submarine bilgewater is the                          the water or adjoining shorelines; or                 collected in the oily waste holding tank
                                                    wastewater from a variety of sources                    cause a sludge or emulsion to be                      or any other oily water holding tank.
                                                    that accumulates in the lowest part of                  deposited beneath the surface of the                  The primary sources of drainage into the
                                                    the submarine (i.e., bilge). Submarine                  water or upon adjoining shorelines; or                bilge are the main engine room(s) and
                                                    bilgewater consists of a mixture of                     contain an oil content above 15 ppm as                auxiliary machinery room(s), which
                                                    discharges and leakage from a wide                      measured by the EPA Method 1664a or                   house the vessel’s propulsion system
                                                    variety of sources (e.g., seawater                      other appropriate method for                          and auxiliary systems (i.e., steam boilers
                                                    accumulation, normal water leakage                      determination of oil content as accepted              and water purification systems),
                                                    from machinery, and fresh water                         by the IMO (e.g., ISO Method 9377) or                 respectively.
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                                                    washdowns), and includes all the                        U.S. Coast Guard; or otherwise are                       The composition of bilgewater varies
                                                    wastewater collected in the bilge                       harmful to the public health or welfare               from vessel-to-vessel and from day-to-
                                                    compartment, oily waste holding tank,                   of the United States. In addition, the                day on the same vessel. The propulsion
                                                    or any other oily water or holding tank.                discharge of submarine bilgewater must                and auxiliary systems use fuels,
                                                    Consequently, the discharge can contain                 not contain dispersants, detergents,                  lubricants, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze,
                                                    a variety of constituents including                     emulsifiers, chemicals, or other                      solvents, and cleaning chemicals as part
                                                    cleaning agents, solvents, fuel,                        substances to remove the appearance of                of routine operation and maintenance.
                                                    lubricating oils, and hydraulic oils.                   a visible sheen. The proposed                         Small quantities of these materials enter


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                                                    69764                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    the bilge as leaks and spills in the                    effluent to an onshore facility. In                   surface vessel must also employ
                                                    engineering spaces. Bilgewater                          addition, the discharge of oil-water                  management practices to minimize
                                                    generation rates vary by vessel and by                  separator effluent must be minimized                  leakage of oil and other harmful
                                                    vessel class because of the differences in              within one mile of shore, must occur at               pollutants into the bilge. Such practices
                                                    vessel age, shipboard equipment (e.g.,                  speeds greater than six knots if the                  may include regular inspection and
                                                    type of propulsion system), operations,                 vessel is underway, and must be                       maintenance of equipment and
                                                    whether the vessel segregates its non-                  minimized in federally-protected                      remediation of oil spills or overflows
                                                    oily wastewater from the bilge, and                     waters.                                               into the bilge using oil-absorbent or
                                                    other procedures.                                          For surface vessels not equipped with              other spill clean-up materials.
                                                       Approximately 75 percent of vessels                  an oil-water separator, the EPA and DoD
                                                    of the Armed Forces generate surface                    propose to require that bilgewater must               K. Underwater Ship Husbandry
                                                    vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator                   not be discharged if the vessel has the               1. Nature of Discharge
                                                    effluent; submarines and some of the                    capability to collect, hold, and transfer
                                                    smaller boats and service craft do not                  to an onshore facility.                                 Underwater ship husbandry
                                                    generate surface vessel bilgewater                         In addition, the discharge of                      discharges occur during the inspection,
                                                    discharge/oil-water separator effluent.                 bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent               maintenance, cleaning, and repair of
                                                    Oil-water separator systems are installed               must not contain dispersants,                         hulls and hull appendages while a
                                                    on most vessels of the Armed Forces to                  detergents, emulsifiers, chemicals, or                vessel is waterborne. Underwater ship
                                                    collect the waste oil for onshore                       other substances to remove the                        husbandry includes activities such as
                                                    disposal. Some smaller vessels are not                  appearance of a visible sheen. The                    hull cleaning, fiberglass repair, welding,
                                                    outfitted with oil-water separator                      proposed performance standard would                   sonar dome repair, propeller lay-up,
                                                    systems; thus, bilgewater is stored for                 not, however, prohibit the use of these               non-destructive testing/inspections,
                                                    onshore disposal.                                       materials in machinery spaces for the                 masker belt repairs, and painting
                                                       For more information regarding                       purposes of cleaning and maintenance                  operations. Underwater ship husbandry
                                                    surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water                     activities associated with vessel                     operations are normally conducted
                                                    separator effluent, please see the surface              equipment and structures. The                         pierside, and could result in the release
                                                    vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator                   discharge of bilgewater/oil-water                     of metals (copper or zinc) or the
                                                    nature of the discharge report in                       separator effluent must contain                       introduction of non-indigenous species.
                                                    Appendix A of the Technical                             substances that are produced in the                     All vessels of the Armed Forces
                                                    Development Document—EPA 821–R–                         normal operation of a vessel. For the                 greater than or equal to 79 feet in length
                                                    99–001.                                                 discharge of oil-water separator effluent,            and some boats and service craft less
                                                                                                            oil solidifiers, flocculants or other                 than 79 feet in length, comprising 60
                                                    2. Environmental Effects
                                                                                                            additives (excluding any dispersants or               percent of the vessels, are expected to
                                                       Surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water                  surfactants) may be used to enhance oil/              generate underwater ship husbandry
                                                    separator effluent could negatively                     water separation during processing only               discharge. While underwater ship
                                                    impact receiving waters due to the                      if such solidifiers, flocculants, or other            husbandry discharges occur during the
                                                    possible presence of oil and grease,                    additives are minimized and do not                    maintenance of all classes of vessels,
                                                    volatile and semivolatile organic                       alter the chemical composition of the                 many vessels less than 79 feet in length
                                                    compounds, and metals. These                            oils in the discharge. Solidifiers,                   are regularly pulled from the water for
                                                    constituents exist in cleaning agents,                  flocculants, or other additives must not              hull maintenance or stored on land.
                                                    solvents, fuel, lubricating oils, and                   be directly added, or otherwise
                                                    hydraulic oils and may be present in                    combined with, the water in the bilge.                  For more information regarding
                                                    concentrations that could potentially                      The discharge of surface vessel                    underwater ship husbandry, please see
                                                    contribute to an exceedance of the EPA                  bilgewater/oil-water separator effluent               the underwater ship husbandry nature
                                                    recommended water quality criteria.                     must not contain oil in quantities that               of the discharge report in Appendix A
                                                    Restricting the discharge of surface                    cause a film or sheen upon or                         of the Technical Development
                                                    vessel bilgewater/oil-water separator                   discoloration of the surface of the water             Document—EPA 821–R–99–001.
                                                    effluent and the associated constituents                or adjoining shorelines; or cause a                   2. Environmental Effects
                                                    of concern would protect the receiving                  sludge or emulsion to be deposited
                                                    waters.                                                 beneath the surface of the water or upon                 Underwater ship husbandry could
                                                                                                            adjoining shorelines; or contain an oil               negatively impact receiving waters due
                                                    3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control                content above 15 ppm as measured by                   to the possible presence of metals and
                                                    Device Performance Standard                             the EPA Method 1664a or other                         non-indigenous species. With the
                                                       The EPA and DoD propose to require                   appropriate method for determination of               exception of underwater hull cleaning,
                                                    that surface vessels equipped with an                   oil content as accepted by the                        other underwater ship husbandry
                                                    oil-water separator must not discharge                  International Maritime Organization                   discharges have a low potential for
                                                    bilgewater and must only discharge oil-                 (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method 9377) or U.S.                 causing an adverse environmental
                                                    water separator effluent through an oil-                Coast Guard; or otherwise are harmful to              effect. Metals, such as copper and zinc
                                                    content monitor. All surface vessels                    the public health or welfare of the                   from antifouling coatings, are released
                                                    greater than 400 gross tons must be                     United States.                                        during underwater hull cleaning in
                                                    equipped with an oil-water separator. If                   When a visible sheen is observed as                concentrations that have the potential to
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                                                    measurements for gross tonnage are not                  a result of a surface vessel bilgewater/              cause an adverse environmental effect
                                                    available for a particular vessel, full                 oil-water separator effluent discharge,               and could contribute to an exceedance
                                                    displacement measurements may be                        the discharge must be suspended                       of the EPA recommended water quality
                                                    used instead. The EPA and DoD also                      immediately until the problem is                      criteria. The potential also exists for
                                                    propose to require that the discharge of                corrected. Any spill or overflow of oil or            release of non-indigenous species
                                                    oil-water separator effluent not occur in               other engine fluids must be cleaned up,               during hull cleaning. Restricting the
                                                    port if the port has the capability to                  recorded, and reported immediately to                 discharge from underwater ship
                                                    collect and transfer oil-water separator                the National Response Center. The                     husbandry activities and the associated


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                         69765

                                                    constituents of concern would protect                   V. Related Acts of Congress and                       conducted two rounds of consultation
                                                    the receiving waters.                                   Executive Orders                                      meetings (i.e., outreach briefings) to
                                                                                                              Additional information about these                  allow states and local officials to have
                                                    3. Selection of Marine Pollution Control
                                                                                                            statutes and Executive Orders can be                  meaningful and timely input into the
                                                    Device Performance Standard                                                                                   development of the rulemaking.
                                                                                                            found at https://www.epa.gov/laws-
                                                       The EPA and DoD propose to require                   regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.                Twenty-two states accepted the offer to
                                                    that to the greatest extent practicable,                                                                      be briefed on UNDS and discuss state
                                                    vessel hulls with antifouling hull                      A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory                  concerns. The EPA and DoD provided
                                                    coatings must not be cleaned within 90                  Planning and Review and Executive                     clarification on the technical aspects of
                                                    days after the antifouling coating                      Order 13563: Improving Regulation and                 the UNDS process, including
                                                    application. Vessel hulls must be                       Regulatory Review                                     preliminary discharge determinations
                                                    inspected, maintained, and cleaned to                     This action is not a significant                    and analytical information supporting
                                                    minimize the removal and discharge of                   regulatory action and was therefore not               decisions to control or not control
                                                    antifouling hull coatings and transport                 submitted to the Office of Management                 discharges. State representatives were
                                                    of fouling organisms. To the greatest                   and Budget (OMB) for review.                          provided with discharge summaries
                                                    extent practicable, rigorous vessel hull                                                                      containing the description, analysis, and
                                                                                                            B. Paperwork Reduction Act                            preliminary determination of each of the
                                                    cleanings must take place in drydock or
                                                    at a land-based facility where the                         This action does not impose any new                39 discharges from vessels of the Armed
                                                    removed fouling organisms or spent                      information collection burden, as the                 Forces—25 of which were determined to
                                                    antifouling hull coatings can be                        EPA and DoD have determined that                      require control.
                                                    disposed of onshore in accordance with                  Phase II of UNDS does not create any                     During Phase II, the EPA and DoD
                                                    any applicable solid waste or hazardous                 additional collection of information                  consulted again with state
                                                    substance management and disposal                       beyond that already mandated under the                representatives early in the process of
                                                    requirements. The proposed                              Phase I of UNDS. The Office of                        developing the proposed regulation. On
                                                    performance standard would also                         Management and Budget (OMB) has                       March 9, 2016, the EPA held a
                                                    require that vessel hull cleanings be                   previously approved the information                   Federalism consultation in Washington,
                                                                                                            collection requirements contained in the              DC, and invited representatives from
                                                    conducted in a manner that minimizes
                                                                                                            existing regulations (40 CFR part 1700)               states and political subdivisions of
                                                    the release of antifouling hull coatings
                                                                                                            under the provisions of the Paperwork                 states in order to obtain meaningful and
                                                    and fouling organisms (e.g., less
                                                                                                            Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.                 timely input in the development of the
                                                    abrasive techniques and softer brushes
                                                                                                            and has assigned OMB control number                   proposed discharge standards. The EPA
                                                    to the greatest extent practicable). Vessel
                                                                                                            2040–0187. The OMB control numbers                    and DoD informed the state
                                                    hull cleanings must also adhere to any
                                                                                                            for the EPA’s regulations in 40 CFR are               representatives that the two agencies
                                                    applicable cleaning requirements found
                                                                                                            listed in 40 CFR part 9.                              planned to use the NPDES VGPs
                                                    on the coatings’ FIFRA label. For vessels
                                                                                                                                                                  effluent limitations as a baseline for
                                                    less than 79 feet in length, the proposed               C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)                   developing the proposed discharge
                                                    standard would require inspection of                                                                          performance standards for the 25
                                                    vessels before overland transport to a                     We certify that this action will not
                                                                                                            have a significant economic impact on                 discharges identified in Phase I as
                                                    different body of water to control                                                                            requiring control. During the Federalism
                                                    invasive species. For vessels greater                   a substantial number of small entities
                                                                                                            under the RFA. This action will not                   consultation period, the EPA and DoD
                                                    than 79 feet in length, the proposed                                                                          did not receive any substantive
                                                    standard would require that to the                      impose any requirements on small
                                                                                                            entities.                                             comments from state and local
                                                    greatest extent practicable, vessel hulls                                                                     government entities.
                                                    with a copper-based antifouling coating                 D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                    must not be cleaned within 365 days                     (UMRA)                                                F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
                                                    after the antifouling coating application.                                                                    and Coordination With Indian Tribal
                                                                                                              This action does not contain any
                                                                                                                                                                  Governments
                                                    IV. Additional Information of the                       unfunded mandate as described in
                                                    Proposed Rule                                           UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does                       This action does not have tribal
                                                                                                            not significantly or uniquely affect small            implication as specified in Executive
                                                      This section provides an overview of                  governments. The action implements                    Order 13175. The UNDS rulemaking
                                                    the additional amendments proposed                      mandates specifically and explicitly set              will not impact vessels operated by
                                                    for 40 CFR part 1700. These proposed                    forth in CWA section 312 without the                  tribes because the rule only regulates
                                                    changes include the reservation of                      exercise of any policy discretion by                  discharges from vessels of the Armed
                                                    sections for the remaining discharge                    EPA.                                                  Forces. However, tribes may be
                                                    standards.                                                                                                    interested in this action because vessels
                                                                                                            E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism                  of the Armed Forces, including U.S.
                                                    1. Reservation of Sections
                                                                                                               The EPA and DoD concluded that the                 Coast Guard vessels, may operate in or
                                                      As noted previously, the EPA and                      proposed rule, once finalized in Phase                near tribal waters. The EPA hosted a
                                                    DoD are proposing the Phase II                          III, will have federalism implications.               National Teleconference on March 23,
                                                    standards in three batches. For the                     Once the proposed discharge                           2016, in order to obtain meaningful and
                                                    purpose of proposing the remaining                      performance standards are promulgated                 timely input during the development of
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                                                    batches, the proposal reserves the                      in Phase III by DoD, adoption and                     the proposed discharge standards. The
                                                    following sections for those future                     enforcement of new or existing state or               EPA and DoD informed the
                                                    rulemaking actions:                                     local regulations for the discharges will             representatives that the two agencies
                                                                                                            be preempted.                                         planned to use the NPDES VGPs
                                                    Section 1700.17        Clean Ballast;                      Accordingly, the EPA and DoD                       effluent limitations as a baseline for
                                                    Section 1700.18        Compensated Fuel                 provide the following federalism                      developing the discharge performance
                                                      Ballast;                                              summary impact statement. During                      standards for the 25 discharges
                                                    Section 1700.21        Dirty Ballast                    Phase I of UNDS, the EPA and DoD                      identified in Phase I as requiring


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                                                    69766                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    control. During the Tribal consultation                 9377 is a voluntary consensus standard                K. Executive Order 13089: Coral Reef
                                                    period, the EPA and DoD did not                         developed by an independent, non-                     Protection
                                                    receive any substantive comments from                   governmental international                               Executive Order 13089, entitled
                                                    the Indian Tribal Governments.                          organization.                                         ‘‘Coral Reef Protection’’ (63 FR 32701,
                                                    G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of                 J. Executive Order 13112: Invasive                    June 16, 1998), requires all federal
                                                    Children From Environmental Health                      Species                                               agencies to identify actions that may
                                                    and Safety Risks                                                                                              affect U.S. coral reef ecosystems; utilize
                                                                                                               Executive Order 13112, entitled
                                                                                                                                                                  their programs and authorities to protect
                                                      This action is not subject to Executive               ‘‘Invasive Species’’ (64 FR 6183,
                                                                                                                                                                  the conditions of such ecosystems; and
                                                    Order 13045 because it is not                           February 8, 1999), requires each federal
                                                                                                                                                                  to the extent permitted by law, ensure
                                                    economically significant as defined in                  agency, whose actions may affect the
                                                                                                                                                                  that any actions they authorize, fund, or
                                                    Executive Order 12866, and because the                  status of invasive species, to identify
                                                                                                                                                                  carry out will not degrade the
                                                    EPA and DoD do not believe the                          such actions, and, subject to the
                                                                                                                                                                  conditions of such ecosystems. The
                                                    environmental health or safety risks                    availability of appropriations, use
                                                                                                                                                                  proposed discharge standards are
                                                    addressed by this action present a                      relevant programs and authorities to,
                                                                                                                                                                  designed to control or eliminate the
                                                    disproportionate risk to children. The                  among other things, prevent, detect,
                                                                                                                                                                  discharges incidental to the normal
                                                    11 proposed discharge standards are                     control, and monitor the introduction of
                                                                                                                                                                  operation of vessels of the Armed
                                                    designed to control discharges                          invasive species. As defined by this
                                                                                                                                                                  Forces, ultimately minimizing the
                                                    incidental to the normal operation of a                 Executive Order, ‘‘invasive species’’
                                                                                                                                                                  potential for causing adverse impacts to
                                                    vessel of the Armed Forces that could                   means an alien species whose
                                                                                                                                                                  the marine environment including coral
                                                    adversely affect human health and the                   introduction causes, or is likely to
                                                                                                                                                                  reefs.
                                                    environment. The standards reduce the                   cause, economic or environmental harm
                                                    impacts to the receiving waters and any                 or harm to human health.                              L. Executive Order 12898: Federal
                                                    person using the receiving waters,                         As part of the environmental effects               Actions To Address Environmental
                                                    regardless of age.                                      analyses, the EPA and DoD considered                  Justice in Minority Populations and
                                                                                                            the control of invasive species when                  Low-Income Populations
                                                    H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That                  developing the proposed discharge
                                                    Concern Regulations That Significantly                                                                          The EPA and DoD believe that this
                                                                                                            performance standards for all 11
                                                    Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, and                                                                       action does not have disproportionately
                                                                                                            discharges (See Section II). For example,
                                                    Use                                                                                                           high and adverse human health or
                                                                                                            the underwater ship husbandry
                                                                                                                                                                  environmental effects on minority
                                                      This action is not subject to Executive               discharge performance standard
                                                                                                                                                                  populations, low-income populations
                                                    Order 1321, because it is not a                         requires the inspection of all vessels
                                                                                                                                                                  and/or indigenous peoples, as specified
                                                    significant regulatory action under                     under 79 feet in length for the detection
                                                                                                                                                                  in Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629,
                                                    Executive Order 12866.                                  and removal of invasive species prior to
                                                                                                                                                                  February, 16, 1994). The proposed
                                                                                                            transport overland from one body of
                                                    I. National Technology Transfer and                                                                           discharge performance standards only
                                                                                                            water to another. This requirement as
                                                    Advancement Act                                                                                               apply to vessels of the Armed Forces
                                                                                                            well as others within the proposed
                                                                                                                                                                  and ultimately increase environmental
                                                      This action involves technical                        discharge standards would help to
                                                                                                                                                                  protection.
                                                    standards. The EPA and DoD propose to                   prevent or control the introduction of
                                                    use ISO Method 9377—determination of                    invasive species into the receiving                   VI. Appendix A—Description of Vessels
                                                    hydrocarbon oil index. ISO Method                       waters.                                               of the Armed Forces
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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                        69767




                                                      Table A–1 provides information                        landing crafts and amphibious vehicles.               vessels operate both within and seaward
                                                    regarding the composition of vessels of                 These large ocean-going vessels may                   of waters subject to UNDS.
                                                    the Armed Forces by vessel type and                     operate within waters subject to UNDS                    Boats: This type of vessel
                                                    vessel size.                                            during training and testing of                        encompasses 81 percent of the vessels of
                                                      Aircraft Carriers: These are the largest              equipment.                                            the Armed Forces and includes all self-
                                                    vessels of the Armed Forces. They are                                                                         propelled vessels less than 79 feet in
                                                    designed primarily for conducting                          Auxiliary Ships: This is a large and               length. These vessels are used for such
                                                    combat operations by fixed wing aircraft                diverse group of self-propelled vessels               roles as security, combat operations,
                                                    that are launched with catapults.                       with lengths equal to or greater than 79              rescue, and training. Because of their
                                                    Nuclear energy powers all vessels in                    feet in length and designed to provide                relatively small size, these vessels have
                                                    this group. Aircraft carriers exceed                    general support to either combatant                   small crews that range from 1 to 19, and
                                                    1,000 feet in length, and have crews of                 forces or shore-based establishments.                 produce limited sources of liquid
                                                    4,000 to 6,000. Except during transit in                These ships fulfill multiple duties                   discharges. These vessels operate
                                                    and out of port, these vessels operate                  including, but are not limited to,                    predominantly within waters subject to
                                                    predominantly seaward of waters                         transporting supplies (e.g., fuel,                    UNDS, but may operate seaward of
                                                    subject to UNDS.                                        ammunitions) and troops to and from                   waters subject to UNDS when deployed
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                                                      Amphibious Support Ships: These are                   the theater of operations, executing                  from larger ships.
                                                    large vessels, ranging in length from 569               mine countermeasures operations,                         Patrol Ships: These are self-propelled
                                                    feet to 847 feet, designed to support                   conducting research, maintaining                      vessels with lengths equal to or greater
                                                    amphibious assault operations. Many of                  navigations systems (e.g., buoys), and                than 79 feet in length, and are designed
                                                    these vessels have large clean ballast                  recovering targets and drones. This                   to conduct patrol duties (i.e., maritime
                                                    tanks used to lower and raise the hull                  vessel class has crew sizes ranging from              homeland security, law enforcement,
                                                    during amphibious operations, and                       10 to 200 people. Depending on mission                and national defense missions). Vessels
                                                                                                                                                                                                              EP07OC16.006</GPH>




                                                    welldecks to support the recovery of                    and operation requirements, these                     in this group have crew sizes ranging


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                                                    69768                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    from 10 to 200. Some vessels in this                    PART 1700—UNIFORM NATIONAL                            OECD Test Guidelines 301 A–F (>20%
                                                    group may operate seaward of waters                     DISCHARGE STANDARDS FOR                               but <60% biodegradation after 28 days).
                                                    subject to UNDS, but the majority                       VESSELS OF THE ARMED FORCES                              (2) Regarding cleaning products,
                                                    predominantly operate within waters                                                                           biodegradable means products that
                                                    subject to UNDS conducting security                     ■ 1. The authority citation for 40 CFR                demonstrate either the removal of at
                                                    patrol missions.                                        part 1700 continues to read as follows:               least 70% of dissolved organic carbon,
                                                                                                                                                                  production of at least 60% of the
                                                       Service Craft: This is a diverse group                   Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1322, 1361.
                                                                                                                                                                  theoretical carbon dioxide, or
                                                    of non-self-propelled vessel classes
                                                                                                            Subpart A—Scope                                       consumption of at least 60% of the
                                                    designed to provide general support to
                                                                                                                                                                  theoretical oxygen demand within 28
                                                    other vessels in the Armed Forces fleet
                                                                                                            ■  2. Section 1700.3 is amended by                    days. Test methods include:
                                                    or shore-based establishments. Vessel
                                                                                                            adding in alphabetical order definitions              Organization for Economic Cooperation
                                                    classes in this group have an average
                                                                                                            for ‘‘Bioaccumulative’’,                              and Development Test Guidelines 301
                                                    length of 155 feet with more than 95
                                                                                                            ‘‘Biodegradable’’, ‘‘Environmentally                  A–F, 306, and 310, and International
                                                    percent of them being between 40 feet
                                                                                                            acceptable lubricants’’, ‘‘Great Lakes’’,             organization for Standardization
                                                    and 310 feet. While most of these
                                                                                                            ‘‘Minimally-toxic’’, ‘‘Minimally-toxic                14593:1999.
                                                    vessels have a very limited crew or no                                                                           (3) Regarding biocidal substances,
                                                                                                            soaps, cleaners, and detergents’’, ‘‘Not
                                                    crew, barracks craft can provide                                                                              biodegradable means a compound or
                                                                                                            bioaccumulative’’, ‘‘Phosphate free
                                                    sleeping accommodations for 100 to                                                                            mixture that yields 60% of theoretical
                                                                                                            soaps, cleaners, and detergents’’, and
                                                    1,200 crew members. These vessels                                                                             maximum carbon dioxide and
                                                                                                            ‘‘State’’ to read as follows:
                                                    include multiple barges and lighter                                                                           demonstrate a removal of at least 70%
                                                    designs, dredges, floating dry-docks,                   § 1700.3    Definitions.                              of dissolved organic carbon within 28
                                                    floating cranes, floating causeway                      *     *     *    *     *                              days as described in EPA 712–C–98–075
                                                    ferries, floating roll-on-off discharge                   Bioaccumulative means the opposite                  (OPPTS 835.3100 Aerobic Aquatic
                                                    facilities, dry deck shelters, floating                 of not bioaccumulative.                               Biodegradation).
                                                    workshops, and floating barracks. These
                                                    vessels operate predominantly within                      Biodegradable means the following                   *      *    *    *     *
                                                                                                            for purposes of the standards:                           Environmentally acceptable
                                                    waters subject to UNDS.
                                                                                                              (1) Regarding environmentally                       lubricants means lubricants that are
                                                       Submarines: These submersible                        acceptable lubricants and greases,                    biodegradable, minimally-toxic, and not
                                                    combat vessels powered with nuclear                     biodegradable means lubricant                         bioaccumulative as defined in this
                                                    energy can fulfill combatant, auxiliary,                formulations that contain at least 90%                subpart. The following labeling
                                                    or research and development roles.                      (weight in weight concentration or w/w)               programs and organizations meet the
                                                    Except during transit in and out of port,               or grease formulations that contain at                definition of being environmentally
                                                    these vessels operate predominantly                     least 75% (w/w) of a constituent                      acceptable lubricants: Blue Angel,
                                                    seaward of waters subject to UNDS.                      substance or constituent substances                   European Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, the
                                                       Surface Combatants: These are                        (only stated substances present above                 Swedish Standards SS 155434 and
                                                    surface ships designed primarily to                     0.10% must be assessed) that each                     155470, Safer Choice, and the
                                                    engage in attacks against airborne,                     demonstrate either the removal of at                  Convention for the Protection of the
                                                    surface, sub-surface, and shore targets.                least 70% of dissolved organic carbon,                Marine Environment of the North-East
                                                    Vessel classes in this group range in                   production of at least 60% of the                     Atlantic (OSPAR) requirements.
                                                    length from 378 feet to 567 feet, and                   theoretical carbon dioxide, or                        *      *    *    *     *
                                                    have crew sizes that range from 40 for                  consumption of at least 60% of the                       Great Lakes means waters of the
                                                    the Littoral Combat Ship to under 400                   theoretical oxygen demand within 28                   United States extending to the
                                                    for a Guided Missile Destroyer or                       days. Test methods include:                           international maritime boundary with
                                                    Cruiser. Except during transit in and out               Organization for Economic Co-operation                Canada in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake
                                                    of port, these vessels operate                          and Development Test Guidelines 301                   Huron (including Lake St. Clair), Lake
                                                    predominantly seaward of waters                         A–F, 306, and 310, ASTM 5864, ASTM                    Michigan, and Lake Superior, and the
                                                    subject to UNDS.                                        D–7373, OCSPP Harmonized Guideline                    connecting channels (Saint Mary’s
                                                                                                            835.3110, and International                           River, Saint Clair River, Detroit River,
                                                    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 1700                                                                          Niagara River, and Saint Lawrence River
                                                                                                            Organization for Standardization
                                                      Environmental protection, Armed                       14593:1999. For lubricant formulations,               to the international maritime boundary
                                                    Forces, Vessels, Coastal zone, Reporting                the 10% (w/w) of the formulation that                 with Canada).
                                                    and recordkeeping requirements, Water                   need not meet the above                               *      *    *    *     *
                                                    pollution control.                                      biodegradability requirements, up to 5%                  Minimally-toxic means a substance
                                                                                                            (w/w) may be non-biodegradable, but                   must pass either OECD 201, 202, and
                                                      Dated: September 16, 2016.
                                                                                                            not bioaccumulative, while the                        203 for acute toxicity testing, or OECD
                                                    Gina McCarthy,                                          remaining 5–10% must be inherently                    210 and 211 for chronic toxicity testing.
                                                    Administrator, Environmental Protection                 biodegradable. For grease formulations,               For purposes of the standards,
                                                    Agency.                                                 the 25% (w/w) of the formulation that                 equivalent toxicity data for marine
                                                      Dated: September 26, 2016.                            need not meet the above                               species, including methods ISO/DIS
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                                                    Dennis McGinn,                                          biodegradability requirement, the                     10253 for algae, ISO TC147/SC5/W62
                                                    Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy,                constituent substances may be either                  for crustacean, and OSPAR 2005 for
                                                    Installations, and Environment.                         inherently biodegradable or non-                      fish, may be substituted for OECD 201,
                                                                                                            biodegradable, but may not be                         202, and 203. If a substance is evaluated
                                                      For the reasons stated in the                         bioaccumulative. Test methods to                      for the formulation and main
                                                    preamble, title 40, chapter VII, of the                 demonstrate inherent biodegradability                 constituents, the LC50 of fluids must be
                                                    Code of Federal Regulations is proposed                 include: OECD Test Guidelines 302C                    at least 100 mg/L and the LC50 of
                                                    to be amended as follows:                               (>70% biodegradation after 28 days) or                greases, two-stroke oils, and all other


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                          69769

                                                    total loss lubricants must be at least                  1700.27 Hull coating leachate.                        broom cleaned and on-deck debris,
                                                    1000 mg/L. If a substance is evaluated                  1700.28 Motor gasoline and compensating               garbage, paint chips, residues, and spills
                                                    for each constituent substance, rather                      discharge.                                        must be removed, collected, and
                                                    than the complete formulation and main                  1700.29 through 1700.33 [Reserved]                    disposed of onshore in accordance with
                                                                                                            1700.34 Sonar dome discharge.
                                                    compounds, then constituents                            1700.35 Submarine bilgewater.
                                                                                                                                                                  any applicable solid waste or hazardous
                                                    comprising less than 20% of fluids can                  1700.36 Surface vessel bilgewater/oil-water           substance management and disposal
                                                    have an LC50 between 10–100 mg/L or                         separator effluent.                               requirements.
                                                    a no-observed-effect concentration                      1700.37 Underwater ship husbandry.                       (d) If a deck washdown or above
                                                    (NOEC) between 1–10 mg/L,                               1700.38 through 1700.42 [Reserved]                    water line hull cleaning will result in a
                                                    constituents comprising less than 5% of                                                                       discharge, it must be conducted with
                                                    fluids can have an LC50 between 1–10                    Subpart D—Marine Pollution Control                    minimally-toxic and phosphate free
                                                    mg/L or a NOEC between 0.1–1 mg/L,                      Device (MPCD) Performance Standards                   soaps, cleaners, and detergents. The use
                                                    and constituents comprising less than                                                                         of soaps that are labeled toxic is
                                                    1% of fluids, can have an LC50 less than                § 1700.14    [Reserved]                               prohibited. Furthermore, soaps,
                                                    1 mg/L or a NOEC between 0–0.1 mg/                                                                            cleaners, and detergents should not be
                                                                                                            § 1700.15 Catapult water brake tank &
                                                    L.                                                      post-launch retraction exhaust.                       caustic and must be biodegradable. All
                                                       Minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners, and                                                                       soaps and cleaners must be used as
                                                    detergents means any substance or                         (a) Discharges of catapult water brake
                                                                                                                                                                  directed by the label.
                                                    mixture of substances which has an                      tank effluent are prohibited.
                                                                                                                                                                     (e) Where feasible, machinery on deck
                                                    acute aquatic toxicity value (LC50)                       (b) The number of post-launch
                                                                                                                                                                  must have coamings or drip pans, where
                                                    corresponding to a concentration greater                retractions must be limited to the
                                                                                                                                                                  necessary, to prevent spills and collect
                                                    than 10 ppm and does not produce                        minimum number required to test and
                                                                                                                                                                  any oily discharge that may leak from
                                                    byproducts with an acute aquatic                        validate the system and conduct
                                                                                                                                                                  machinery. The drip pans must be
                                                    toxicity value (LC50) corresponding to a                qualification and operational training.
                                                                                                                                                                  drained to a waste container for disposal
                                                    concentration less than 10 ppm.                         § 1700.16 through 1700.18         [Reserved]          onshore in accordance with any
                                                    Minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners, and                                                                          applicable oil and hazardous substance
                                                    detergents typically contain little to no               § 1700.19 Controllable pitch propeller                management and disposal requirements.
                                                    nonylphenols.                                           hydraulic fluid.                                      The presence of floating solids, visible
                                                    *      *     *    *     *                                  (a) The protective seals on                        foam, halogenated phenol compounds,
                                                       Not bioaccumulative means any of                     controllable pitch propellers must be                 dispersants, and surfactants in deck
                                                    following: the partition coefficient in                 maintained to minimize the leaking of                 washdowns must be minimized.
                                                    the marine environment is log Kow <3                    hydraulic fluid.                                         (f) Topside surfaces and other above
                                                    or >7 using test methods OECD 117 and                      (b) To the greatest extent practicable,            water line portions of the vessel must be
                                                    107; molecular mass > 800 Daltons;                      maintenance activities on controllable                well maintained to minimize the
                                                    molecular diameter > 1.5 nanometer;                     pitch propellers must be conducted                    discharge of rust (and other corrosion
                                                    bioconcentration factor (BCF) or                        when a vessel is in drydock. If                       by-products), cleaning compounds,
                                                    bioaccumulation factor (BAF) is < 100                   maintenance and repair activities must                paint chips, non-skid material
                                                    L/kg, using OECD 305, OCSPP 850.1710,                   occur when the vessel is not in drydock,              fragments, and other materials
                                                    OCSPP 850.1730, or a field-measured                     appropriate spill response equipment                  associated with exterior topside surface
                                                    BAF; or polymer with molecular weight                   (e.g., oil booms) must be used to contain             preservation. Residual paint droplets
                                                    fraction below 1,000 g/mol is <1%.                      and clean any oil leakage.                            entering the water must be minimized
                                                                                                               (c) The discharge of controllable pitch            when conducting maintenance painting.
                                                    *      *     *    *     *
                                                       Phosphate free soaps, cleaners, and                  propeller hydraulic fluid must not                    The discharge of unused paint is
                                                    detergents means any substance or                       contain oil in quantities that:                       prohibited. Paint chips and unused
                                                                                                               (1) Cause a film or sheen upon or                  paint residues must be collected and
                                                    mixture of substances which contain, by
                                                                                                            discoloration of the surface of the water             disposed of onshore in accordance with
                                                    weight, 0.5% or less of phosphates or
                                                                                                            or adjoining shorelines; or                           any applicable solid waste and
                                                    derivatives of phosphates.
                                                       State means a state, the District of                    (2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be               hazardous substance management and
                                                    Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto                    deposited beneath the surface of the                  disposal requirements.
                                                    Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,                         water or upon adjoining shorelines; or                   (g) When vessels conduct underway
                                                    American Samoa, the Commonwealth of                        (3) Contain an oil content above 15                fuel replenishment, scuppers must be
                                                    the Northern Mariana Islands, and the                   ppm as measured by EPA Method 1664a                   plugged to prevent the discharge of oil.
                                                    Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.                 or other appropriate method for                       Any oil spilled must be cleaned,
                                                                                                            determination of oil content as accepted              managed, and disposed of onshore in
                                                    *      *     *    *     *                               by the International Maritime
                                                    ■ 3. Revise subpart D to read as follows:                                                                     accordance with any applicable oil and
                                                                                                            Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method                  hazardous substance management and
                                                    Subpart D—Marine Pollution Control Device               9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or                         disposal requirements.
                                                    (MPCD) Performance Standards                               (4) Otherwise are harmful to the
                                                    Sec.                                                    public health or welfare of the United                § 1700.21 through 1700.23   [Reserved]
                                                    1700.14 [Reserved]                                      States.
                                                    1700.15 Catapult water brake tank and post                                                                    § 1700.24   Firemain systems
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                                                         launch retraction exhaust.                         § 1700.20    Deck runoff.                               (a) Firemain systems may be
                                                    1700.16 through 1700.18 [Reserved]                        (a) Flight deck washdowns are                       discharged for testing and inspections of
                                                    1700.19 Controllable pitch propeller                    prohibited.                                           the firemain system. To the greatest
                                                         hydraulic fluid.                                                                                         extent practicable, conduct maintenance
                                                    1700.20 Deck runoff.
                                                                                                              (b) Minimize deck washdowns while
                                                    1700.21 through 1700.23 [Reserved]                      in port and in federally-protected                    and training outside of port and as far
                                                    1700.24 Firemain systems.                               waters.                                               away from shore as possible. Firemain
                                                    1700.25 [Reserved].                                       (c) Prior to performing a deck                      systems may be discharged in port for
                                                    1700.26 Graywater.                                      washdown, exposed decks must be                       certification, maintenance, and training


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                                                    69770                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    requirements if the intake comes                          (e) The discharge of graywater must                 biodegradable components (once
                                                    directly from the surrounding waters or                 not contain oil in quantities that:                   separated from the hull surface), or use
                                                    potable water supplies and there are no                   (1) Cause a film or sheen upon or                   non-biocidal alternatives, such as
                                                    additions (e.g., aqueous film-forming                   discoloration of the surface of the water             silicone coatings.
                                                    foam) to the discharge.                                 or adjoining shorelines; or                              (h) To the greatest extent practicable,
                                                      (b) Firemain systems must not be                        (2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be                avoid use of antifouling hull coatings on
                                                    discharged in federally-protected waters                deposited beneath the surface of the                  vessels that are regularly removed from
                                                    except when needed to washdown the                      water or upon adjoining shorelines; or                the water and unlikely to accumulate
                                                    anchor chain to comply with anchor                        (3) Contain an oil content above 15                 hull growth.
                                                    washdown requirements in § 1700.16.                     ppm as measured by EPA Method 1664a
                                                      (c) Firemain systems may be used for                  or other appropriate method for                       § 1700.28 Motor gasoline and
                                                    secondary uses if the intake comes                      determination of oil content as accepted              compensating discharge.
                                                    directly from the surrounding waters or                 by the International Maritime                           (a) The discharge of motor gasoline
                                                    potable water supplies.                                 Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method                  and compensating effluent must not
                                                                                                            9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or                         contain oil in quantities that:
                                                    § 1700.25   [Reserved]                                                                                          (1) Cause a film or sheen upon or
                                                                                                              (4) Otherwise are harmful to the
                                                    § 1700.26   Graywater.                                  public health or welfare of the United                discoloration of the surface of the water
                                                                                                            States.                                               or adjoining shorelines; or
                                                       (a) For discharges from vessels that
                                                                                                                                                                    (2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be
                                                    have the capacity to hold graywater:                    § 1700.27    Hull coating leachate.
                                                       (1) Graywater must not be discharged                                                                       deposited beneath the surface of the
                                                    in federally-protected waters or the                      (a) Antifouling hull coatings subject to            water or upon adjoining shorelines; or
                                                    Great Lakes.                                            registration under the Federal                          (3) Contain an oil content above 15
                                                       (2) Graywater must not be discharged                 Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide               ppm as measured by EPA Method 1664a
                                                    within one mile of shore if an onshore                  Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C 136 et seq.) must                or other appropriate method for
                                                    facility is available and disposal at such              be applied, maintained, and removed in                determination of oil content as accepted
                                                    a facility is reasonable and practicable.               a manner consistent with requirements                 by the International Maritime
                                                       (3) Production and discharge of                      on the coatings’ FIFRA label.                         Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method
                                                    graywater must be minimized within                        (b) Antifouling hull coatings not                   9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
                                                    one mile of shore when an onshore                       subject to FIFRA registration (i.e.,                    (4) Otherwise are harmful to the
                                                    facility is either not available or use of              exempt or not produced for sale and                   public health or welfare of the United
                                                    such a facility is not reasonable and                   distribution in the United States) must               States.
                                                    practicable.                                            not contain any biocides or toxic                       (b) The discharge of motor gasoline
                                                       (b) For discharges from vessels that do              materials banned for use in the United                and compensating effluent must be
                                                    not have the capacity to hold graywater:                States (including those on EPA’s List of              minimized in port. If an oily sheen is
                                                       (1) Production and discharge of                      Banned or Severely Restricted                         observed, any spill or overflow of oil
                                                    graywater must be minimized in                          Pesticides). This performance standard                must be cleaned up, recorded, and
                                                    federally-protected waters or the Great                 applies to all vessels, including vessels             reported to the National Response
                                                    Lakes.                                                  with a hull coating applied outside the               Center immediately.
                                                       (2) Graywater must not be discharged                 United States.                                          (c) The discharge of motor gasoline
                                                    within one mile of shore if an onshore                    (c) Antifouling hull coatings must not              and compensating effluent is prohibited
                                                    facility is available and disposal at such              contain tributyltin (TBT).                            in federally-protected waters.
                                                    a facility is reasonable and practicable.                 (d) Antifouling hull coatings must not
                                                                                                                                                                  § 1700.29 through 1700.33   [Reserved]
                                                       (3) Production and discharge of                      contain any organotin compounds when
                                                    graywater must be minimized within                      the organotin is used as a biocide.                   § 1700.34   Sonar dome discharge.
                                                    one mile of shore when an onshore                       Antifouling hull coatings may contain                   (a) The water inside the sonar dome
                                                    facility is either not available or use of              small quantities of organotin                         must not be discharged for maintenance
                                                    such a facility is not reasonable and                   compounds other than TBT (e.g.,                       activities unless the use of a drydock for
                                                    practicable.                                            dibutyltin) when the organotin is acting              the maintenance activity is not feasible.
                                                       (c) Large quantities of cooking oils                 as a chemical catalyst and not present                  (b) The water inside the sonar dome
                                                    (e.g., from a deep fat fryer), including                above 2,500 milligrams total tin per                  may be discharged for equalization of
                                                    animal fats and vegetable oils, must not                kilogram of dry paint film. In addition,              pressure between the interior and
                                                    be added to the graywater system. Small                 any such antifouling hull coatings must               exterior of the dome.
                                                    quantities of cooking oils (e.g., from pot              be designed to not slough or peel from                  (c) A biofouling chemical that is
                                                    and dish rinsing) must be minimized if                  the vessel hull.                                      bioaccumulative should not be applied
                                                    added to the graywater system within                      (e) Antifouling hull coatings that                  to the exterior of a sonar dome when a
                                                    three miles of shore.                                   contain TBT or other organotin                        non-bioaccumulative alternative is
                                                       (d) Minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners,                 compounds that are used as a biocide                  available.
                                                    and detergents and phosphate free                       must be removed or an overcoat must be
                                                    soaps, cleaners, and detergents must be                 applied.                                              § 1700.35   Submarine bilgewater.
                                                    used in the galley, scullery, and                         (f) Incidental amounts of antifouling                 The discharge of submarine
                                                    laundry. These soaps, cleaners, and                     hull coating discharged after contact                 bilgewater:
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                                                    detergents should also be free from                     with other hard surfaces (e.g., moorings)               (a) Must not contain oil in quantities
                                                    bioaccumulative compounds and not                       are permissible.                                      that:
                                                    lead to extreme shifts in the receiving                   (g) To the greatest extent practicable,               (1) Cause a film or sheen upon or
                                                    water pH. For purposes of this                          use non-copper based and less toxic                   discoloration of the surface of the water
                                                    subparagraph, extreme shifts means                      antifouling hull coatings. To the greatest            or adjoining shorelines; or
                                                    causing the receiving water pH to fall                  extent practicable, use antifouling hull                (2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be
                                                    below 6.0 or rise above 9.0 as a direct                 coatings with the lowest effective                    deposited beneath the surface of the
                                                    result of the discharge.                                biocide release rates, rapidly                        water or upon adjoining shorelines; or


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                          69771

                                                      (3) Contain an oil content above 15                      (1) Must not contain oil in quantities             appearance of a visible sheen. This
                                                    ppm as measured by EPA Method 1664a                     that:                                                 performance standard does not prohibit
                                                    or other appropriate method for                            (i) Cause a film or sheen upon or                  the use of these materials in machinery
                                                    determination of oil content as accepted                discoloration of the surface of the water             spaces for the purposes of cleaning and
                                                    by the International Maritime                           or adjoining shorelines; or                           maintenance activities associated with
                                                    Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method                       (ii) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be              vessel equipment and structures.
                                                    9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or                           deposited beneath the surface of the                     (ii) Must only contain substances that
                                                      (4) Otherwise are harmful to the                      water or upon adjoining shorelines; or                are produced in the normal operation of
                                                    public health or welfare of the United                     (iii) Contain an oil content above 15              a vessel. Routine cleaning and
                                                    States.                                                 ppm as measured by EPA Method 1664a                   maintenance activities associated with
                                                      (b) Must not contain dispersants,                     or other appropriate method for                       vessel equipment and structures are
                                                    detergents, emulsifiers, chemicals, or                  determination of oil content as accepted              considered to be normal operation of a
                                                    other substances to remove the                          by the International Maritime                         vessel.
                                                    appearance of a visible sheen. This                     Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method                     (iii) Must not contain oil in quantities
                                                    performance standard does not prohibit                  9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or                         that:
                                                    the use of these materials in machinery                    (iv) Otherwise are harmful to the                     (A) Cause a film or sheen upon or
                                                    spaces for the purposes of cleaning and                 public health or welfare of the United                discoloration of the surface of the water
                                                    maintenance activities associated with                  States.                                               or adjoining shorelines; or
                                                    vessel equipment and structures.                           (2) Must not contain dispersants,
                                                                                                                                                                     (B) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be
                                                                                                            detergents, emulsifiers, chemicals, or
                                                      (c) Must only contain substances that                                                                       deposited beneath the surface of the
                                                                                                            other substances to remove the
                                                    are produced in the normal operation of                                                                       water or upon adjoining shorelines; or
                                                                                                            appearance of a visible sheen. This
                                                    a vessel. Oil solidifiers, flocculants or                                                                        (C) Contain an oil content above 15
                                                                                                            performance standard does not prohibit
                                                    other additives (excluding any                                                                                ppm as measured by EPA Method 1664a
                                                                                                            the use of these materials in machinery
                                                    dispersants or surfactants) may be used                                                                       or other appropriate method for
                                                                                                            spaces for the purposes of cleaning and
                                                    to enhance oil-water separation during                                                                        determination of oil content as accepted
                                                                                                            maintenance activities associated with
                                                    processing in an oil-water separator                                                                          by the International Maritime
                                                                                                            vessel equipment and structures.
                                                    only if such solidifiers, flocculants, or                                                                     Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method
                                                                                                               (3) Must only contain substances that
                                                    other additives are minimized in the                                                                          9377) or U.S. Coast Guard; or
                                                                                                            are produced in the normal operation of
                                                    discharge and do not alter the chemical                                                                          (D) Otherwise are harmful to the
                                                                                                            a vessel. Oil solidifiers, flocculants or
                                                    make-up of the oils being discharged.                                                                         public health or welfare of the United
                                                                                                            other additives (excluding any
                                                    Solidifiers, flocculants, or other                                                                            States.
                                                                                                            dispersants or surfactants) may be used
                                                    additives must not be directly added, or                                                                         (iv) Must be suspended immediately
                                                                                                            to enhance oil-water separation during
                                                    otherwise combined with, the water in                                                                         if a visible sheen is observed. Any spill
                                                                                                            processing in an oil-water separator
                                                    the bilge.                                                                                                    or overflow of oil or other engine fluids
                                                                                                            only if such solidifiers, flocculants, or
                                                      (d) Must not occur in port if the port                other additives are minimized in the                  must be cleaned up, recorded, and
                                                    has the capability to collect and transfer              discharge and do not alter the chemical               reported to the National Response
                                                    the submarine bilgewater to an onshore                  make-up of the oils being discharged.                 Center immediately.
                                                    facility.                                               Solidifiers, flocculants, or other
                                                      (e) Must be minimized and, if                                                                               § 1700.37   Underwater ship husbandry.
                                                                                                            additives must not be directly added, or
                                                    technologically feasible, discharged as                                                                          (a) For discharges from vessels that
                                                                                                            otherwise combined with, the water in
                                                    far from shore as possible.                                                                                   are less than 79 feet in length:
                                                                                                            the bilge.
                                                      (f) Must be minimized in federally-                      (4) Must not occur in port if the vessel              (1) To the greatest extent practicable,
                                                    protected waters.                                       has the capability to collect and transfer            vessel hulls with an antifouling hull
                                                      (g) Must employ management                            oil-water separator effluent to an                    coating must not be cleaned within 90
                                                    practices that will minimize leakage of                 onshore facility.                                     days after the antifouling coating
                                                    oil and other harmful pollutants into the                  (5) Must be minimized within one                   application.
                                                    bilge.                                                  mile of shore.                                           (2) Vessel hulls must be inspected,
                                                                                                               (6) Must occur while sailing at speeds             maintained, and cleaned to minimize
                                                    § 1700.36 Surface vessel bilgewater/oil-                                                                      the removal and discharge of antifouling
                                                    water separator effluent.                               greater than six knots, if the vessel is
                                                                                                            underway.                                             coatings and the transport of fouling
                                                      (a) All surface vessels must employ                      (7) Must be minimized in federally-                organisms. To the greatest extent
                                                    management practices that will                          protected waters.                                     practicable, rigorous vessel hull
                                                    minimize leakage of oil and other                          (d) The discharge of bilgewater (i.e.,             cleanings must take place in drydock or
                                                    harmful pollutants into the bilge.                      wastewater from the bilge that has not                at a land-based facility where the
                                                      (b) Surface vessels equipped with an                  been processed through an oil-water                   removed fouling organisms or spent
                                                    oil-water separator must not discharge                  separator):                                           antifouling coatings can be disposed of
                                                    bilgewater and must only discharge oil-                    (1) Must not occur if the vessel has               onshore in accordance with any
                                                    water separator effluent through an oil-                the capability to collect, hold, and                  applicable solid waste or hazardous
                                                    content monitor consistent with                         transfer bilgewater to an onshore                     substance management and disposal
                                                    paragraph (c) of this section. All surface              facility.                                             requirements.
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                                                    vessels greater than 400 gross tons must                   (2) Notwithstanding the prohibition of                (3) Prior to the transport of the vessel
                                                    be equipped with an oil-water separator.                the discharge of bilgewater from vessels              overland from one body of water to
                                                    Surface vessels not equipped with an                    that have the capability to collect, hold,            another, vessel hulls must be inspected
                                                    oil-water separator must only discharge                 and transfer bilgewater to an onshore                 for any visible attached living
                                                    bilgewater consistent with paragraph (d)                facility; the discharge of bilgewater:                organisms. If fouling organisms are
                                                    of this section.                                           (i) Must not contain dispersants,                  found, they must be removed and
                                                      (c) The discharge of oil-water                        detergents, emulsifiers, chemicals, or                disposed of onshore in accordance with
                                                    separator effluent:                                     other substances to remove the                        any applicable solid waste and


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                                                    69772                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                    hazardous substance management and                      FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS                                overnight courier, or by first-class or
                                                    disposal requirements.                                  COMMISSION                                            overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All
                                                       (4) Vessel hull cleanings must be                                                                          filings must be addressed to the
                                                                                                            47 CFR Part 54                                        Commission’s Secretary, Office of the
                                                    conducted in a manner that minimizes
                                                    the release of antifouling hull coatings                [WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 16–271; WT Docket              Secretary, Federal Communications
                                                                                                            No. 10–208; FCC 16–115]                               Commission.
                                                    and fouling organisms, including:
                                                                                                                                                                     Æ All hand-delivered or messenger-
                                                       (i) Adhere to any applicable cleaning                Connect America Fund, Connect                         delivered paper filings for the
                                                    requirements found on the coatings’                     America Fund—Alaska Plan; Universal                   Commission’s Secretary must be
                                                    FIFRA label.                                            Service Reform—Mobility Fund                          delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445
                                                       (ii) Use soft brushes or less abrasive                                                                     12th St. SW., Room TW–A325,
                                                                                                            AGENCY:  Federal Communications
                                                    cleaning techniques to the greatest                                                                           Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours
                                                                                                            Commission.
                                                    extent practicable.                                                                                           are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand
                                                                                                            ACTION: Proposed rule.                                deliveries must be held together with
                                                       (iii) Use hard brushes only for the                                                                        rubber bands or fasteners. Any
                                                    removal of hard growth.                                 SUMMARY:    In this document, the Federal
                                                                                                            Communications Commission                             envelopes and boxes must be disposed
                                                       (iv) Use a vacuum or other collection/               (Commission) seeks comment on                         of before entering the building.
                                                    control technology, when available and                  various specific issues involved in                      D Commercial overnight mail (other
                                                    feasible.                                               implementing a process of eliminating                 than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail
                                                       (b) For discharges from vessels that                 the provision of high-cost support to                 and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300
                                                    are greater than or equal to 79 feet in                 more than one competitive Eligible                    East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights,
                                                                                                            Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in                   MD 20743.
                                                    length:
                                                                                                            the same geographic area. The                            D U.S. Postal Service first-class,
                                                       (1) To the greatest extent practicable,                                                                    Express, and Priority mail must be
                                                                                                            Commission specifically seeks comment
                                                    vessel hulls with an antifouling hull                                                                         addressed to 445 12th Street SW.,
                                                                                                            on how best to eliminate duplicative
                                                    coating must not be cleaned within 90                   funding consistent with our universal                 Washington, DC 20554.
                                                    days after the antifouling coating                      service goals, should the evaluation of                  • People with Disabilities: Contact
                                                    application. To the greatest extent                     Form 477 data reveal areas where more                 the FCC to request reasonable
                                                    practicable, vessel hulls with copper-                  than one carrier is receiving support for             accommodations (accessible format
                                                    based antifouling coatings must not be                  the provision of 4G LTE service. The                  documents, sign language interpreters,
                                                    cleaned within 365 days after coating                   Commission also seeks comment on                      CART, etc.) by email: FCC504@fcc.gov
                                                    application.                                            how to address a carrier’s performance                or phone: (202) 418–0530 or TTY: (202)
                                                                                                            obligations and support payments to the               418–0432.
                                                       (2) Vessel hulls must be inspected,
                                                    maintained, and cleaned to minimize                     extent it loses funding eligibility as a              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    the removal and discharge of antifouling                consequence of the elimination of                     Alexander Minard, Wireline
                                                    coatings and the transport of fouling                   duplicative support.                                  Competition Bureau, (202) 418–7400 or
                                                    organisms. To the greatest extent                       DATES: Comments are due on or before                  TTY: (202) 418–0484, Matthew Warner
                                                                                                            December 6, 2016 and reply comments                   of the Wireless Telecommunications
                                                    practicable, rigorous vessel hull
                                                                                                            are due on or before January 5, 2017. If              Bureau, (202) 418–2419, or Audra Hale-
                                                    cleanings must take place in drydock or
                                                                                                            you anticipate that you will be                       Maddox of the Wireless
                                                    at a land-based facility where the                                                                            Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418–
                                                    removed fouling organisms or spent                      submitting comments, but find it
                                                                                                            difficult to do so within the period of               0794.
                                                    antifouling coatings can be disposed of
                                                                                                            time allowed by this document, you                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
                                                    onshore in accordance with any
                                                                                                            should advise the contact listed below                synopsis of the Commission’s Further
                                                    applicable solid waste or hazardous
                                                                                                            as soon as possible.                                  Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
                                                    substance management and disposal                                                                             (FNPRM) in WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 16–
                                                                                                            ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
                                                    requirements.                                                                                                 271 and WT Docket No. 16–208; FCC
                                                                                                            identified by WC Docket No. 10–90, WC
                                                       (3) Vessel hull cleanings must be                    Docket No. 16–271 and WT Docket No.                   16–115, adopted on August 23, 2016
                                                    conducted in a manner that minimizes                    16–208, by any of the following                       and released on August 31, 2016. The
                                                    the release of antifouling hull coatings                methods:                                              full text of this document is available for
                                                    and fouling organisms, including:                          • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://              public inspection during regular
                                                       (i) Adhere to any applicable cleaning                www.regulations.gov. Follow the                       business hours in the FCC Reference
                                                    requirements found on the coatings’                     instructions for submitting comments.                 Center, Room CY–A257, 445 12th St.
                                                    FIFRA label.                                               • Federal Communications                           SW., Washington, DC 20554 or at the
                                                                                                            Commission’s Web site: http://                        following Internet address: https://
                                                       (ii) Use soft brushes or less abrasive               fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/ Electronic Filers:           apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/
                                                    cleaning techniques to the greatest                     Comments may be filed electronically                  FCC-16-115A1.docx.
                                                    extent practicable.                                     using the Internet by accessing the                      The Report and Order that was
                                                       (iii) Use hard brushes only for the                  ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/.                adopted concurrently with the FNPRM
                                                                                                               D Paper Filers: Parties who choose to              is published elsewhere in this issue of
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    removal of hard growth.
                                                                                                            file by paper must file an original and               the Federal Register.
                                                       (iv) Use a vacuum or other collection/               one copy of each filing. Because more
                                                    control technology, when available and                                                                        I. Introduction
                                                                                                            than one docket number appears in the
                                                    feasible.                                               caption of this proceeding, filers must                 1. In the concurrently adopted Report
                                                    § 1700.38 through 1700.42        [Reserved]             submit two additional copies for each                 and Order, the Commission adopts an
                                                                                                            additional docket number.                             integrated plan to address both fixed
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–24079 Filed 10–6–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                               • Filings can be sent by hand or                   and mobile voice and broadband service
                                                    BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  messenger delivery, by commercial                     in high-cost areas of the state of Alaska,


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:37 Oct 06, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00054   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\07OCP1.SGM   07OCP1



Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:32:11
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:32:11
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesComments must be received on or before December 6, 2016.
ContactKatherine B. Weiler, Marine Pollution Control Branch (4504T), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; (202) 566-1280; [email protected], or Mike Pletke, Chief of Naval Operations (N45), 2000 Navy Pentagon (Rm. 2D253), Washington, DC 20350-2000; (703) 695-5184; [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 69753 
RIN Number2040-AF53
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Armed Forces; Vessels; Coastal Zone; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Water Pollution Control

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