By
Michele Witthaus |
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalised a ban on the release of sewage into the ocean within three miles of California’s coast.
The new regulations will prevent cruise and large cargo vessels from discharging sewage into the sea within this radius of the coast.
The EPA announced on 9 February that the new rule will strengthen existing state legislation that stops cruise ships from releasing pollutants into the waters in the region. According to EPA regional administrator Jared Blumenfeld, this covers all sewage discharges, both treated and untreated, along the 1,624-mile coastline and also around the major islands in the area. He added that the new ‘no discharge’ zone would keep around 22 of the 25 million gallons of sewage discharged annually from vessels out of the state’s coastal waters.
All passenger ships larger than 300 tons that have berths or overnight accommodations for passengers will be affected. An area stretching from Mexico to Oregon will be covered by the ban, which extends over the largest area of any ruling of its kind. Enforcement will be carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard, which will inspect vessels for compliance pursuant to section 312(k) of the Clean Water Act.