Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs): Proposed Regulation To Establish a No Discharge Zone (NDZ) for California State Marine Waters

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EPA is proposing to establish a No Discharge Zone (NDZ) for sewage discharges from: Large passenger vessels; and oceangoing vessels of 300 gross tons or more (referred to throughout this proposed rule as "Large oceangoing vessels") with two days or more sewage holding capacity to California State marine waters pursuant to Section 312(f)(4)(A) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. 1322(f)(4)(A). This action is being taken in response to an April 5, 2006 application from the California State Water Resources Control Board (State) requesting establishment of this NDZ. Under Section 312(f)(4)(A), if EPA determines upon application by a State that the protection and enhancement of the quality of specified waters within such State requires such a prohibition, then EPA shall by regulation completely prohibit the discharge of any sewage (whether treated or not) from a vessel into such waters. California State marine waters would be defined as the territorial sea measured from the baseline, as determined in accordance with the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, and extending seaward a distance of three miles, and would also include all enclosed bays and estuaries su