The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it is extending the public comment period on a preliminary affirmative decision that adequate sewage pump-out facilities are available for recreational and commercial vessels to support the Washington Department of Ecology’s proposed “No-Discharge Zone” for Puget Sound.
EPA’s preliminary determination was published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2016, with a 30-day public comment period. In response to stakeholder requests, additional time to submit comments is being provided, with comments due by December 23, 2016.
Ecology has proposed to establish a “No-Discharge Zone” for Puget Sound which would prohibit the discharge of vessel sewage – both treated and untreated – into Puget Sound waters. Ecology’s petition concluded that there is sufficient need for establishing a No-Discharge Zone to protect water quality and the related ecological, economic, and recreational benefits provided by Puget Sound.
Under the Clean Water Act, EPA’s role in the No-Discharge Zone process is to determine whether adequate pump-out facilities for recreational and commercial vessels are reasonably available. EPA is seeking comments from the public, tribes, and industry stakeholders on its preliminary affirmative decision. The decision was based on information that the Department of Ecology included in its petition package and a supplemental submission.
Source: US EPA
