[Title 40 CFR VII]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2002 Edition]
[Title 40 - PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT]
[Chapter Vii - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE;]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


40PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT282002-07-012002-07-01falseENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE;VIICHAPTER VIIPROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER VII--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE; 
  UNIFORM NATIONAL DISCHARGE STANDARDS FOR VESSELS OF THE ARMED FORCES




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Part                                                                Page
1700            Uniform National Discharge Standards for 
                    vessels of the Armed Forces.............         539

[[Page 539]]



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




                            Subpart A--Scope

Sec.
1700.1 Applicability.
1700.2 Effect.
1700.3 Definitions.

                   Subpart B--Discharge Determinations

1700.4 Discharges requiring control.
1700.5 Discharges not requiring control.

                       Subpart C--Effect on States

1700.6 Effect on State and local statutes and regulations.

                           No-Discharge Zones

1700.7 No-discharge zones.
1700.8 Discharges for which no-discharge zones can be established.
1700.9 No-discharge zones by State prohibition.
1700.10 No-discharge zones by EPA prohibition.

                        State Petition for Review

1700.11 State petition for review of determinations or standards.
1700.12 Petition requirements.
1700.13 Petition decisions.

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

1700.14 Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance Standards. 
          [Reserved]

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

    Source: 64 FR 25134, May 10, 1999, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A--Scope



Sec. 1700.1  Applicability.

    (a) This part applies to the owners and operators of Armed Forces 
vessels, except where the Secretary of Defense finds that compliance 
with this part is not in the interest of the national security of the 
United States. This part does not apply to vessels while they are under 
construction, vessels in drydock, amphibious vehicles, or vessels under 
the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation other than those of 
the Coast Guard.
    (b) This part also applies to States and political subdivisions of 
States.



Sec. 1700.2  Effect.

    (a) This part identifies those discharges, other than sewage, 
incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels that require 
control within the navigable waters of the United States and the waters 
of the contiguous zone, and those discharges that do not require 
control. Discharges requiring control are identified in Sec. 1700.4. 
Discharges not requiring control are identified in Sec. 1700.5. Federal 
standards of performance for each required Marine Pollution Control 
Device are listed in Sec. 1700.14. This part is not applicable beyond 
the contiguous zone.
    (b) This part prohibits States and their political subdivisions from 
adopting or enforcing State or local statutes or regulations controlling 
the discharges from Armed Forces vessels listed in Secs. 1700.4 and 
1700.5 according to the timing provisions in Sec. 1700.6, except to 
establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition in accordance with 
Sec. 1700.9, or to apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition in 
accordance with Sec. 1700.10. This part also provides a mechanism for 
States to petition the Administrator and the Secretary to review a 
determination of whether a discharge requires control, or to review a 
Federal standard of performance for a Marine Pollution Control Device, 
in accordance with Secs. 1700.11 through 1700.13.



Sec. 1700.3  Definitions.

    Administrator means the Administrator of the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency or that person's authorized 
representative.
    Armed Forces vessel means a vessel owned or operated by the United 
States Department of Defense or the United States Coast Guard, other 
than vessels that are time or voyage chartered by the Armed Forces, 
vessels of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or vessels that are 
memorials or museums.
    Discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel means a 
discharge, including, but not limited to: graywater, bilgewater, cooling 
water, weather deck runoff, ballast water, oil water

[[Page 540]]

separator effluent, and any other pollutant discharge from the operation 
of a marine propulsion system, shipboard maneuvering system, crew 
habitability system, or installed major equipment, such as an aircraft 
carrier elevator or a catapult, or from a protective, preservative, or 
absorptive application to the hull of a vessel; and a discharge in 
connection with the testing, maintenance, and repair of any of the 
aforementioned systems whenever the vessel is waterborne, including 
pierside. A discharge incidental to normal operation does not include:
    (1) Sewage;
    (2) A discharge of rubbish, trash, or garbage;
    (3) A discharge of air emissions resulting from the operation of a 
vessel propulsion system, motor driven equipment, or incinerator;
    (4) A discharge that requires a National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System (NPDES) permit under the Clean Water Act; or
    (5) A discharge containing source, special nuclear, or byproduct 
materials regulated by the Atomic Energy Act.
    Environmental Protection Agency, abbreviated EPA, means the United 
States Environmental Protection Agency.
    Marine Pollution Control Device, abbreviated MPCD, means any 
equipment or management practice installed or used on an Armed Forces 
vessel that is designed to receive, retain, treat, control, or discharge 
a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, and that is 
determined by the Administrator and Secretary to be the most effective 
equipment or management practice to reduce the environmental impacts of 
the discharge consistent with the considerations in Clean Water Act 
section 312(n)(2)(B).
    No-discharge zone means an area of specified waters established 
pursuant to this regulation into which one or more specified discharges 
incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels, whether 
treated or untreated, are prohibited.
    Secretary means the Secretary of the United States Department of 
Defense or that person's authorized representative.
    United States includes the States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
the Canal Zone, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
    Vessel includes every description of watercraft or other artificial 
contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation 
on navigable waters of the United States or waters of the contiguous 
zone, but does not include amphibious vehicles.



                   Subpart B--Discharge Determinations



Sec. 1700.4  Discharges requiring control.

    For the following discharges incidental to the normal operation of 
Armed Forces vessels, the Administrator and the Secretary have 
determined that it is reasonable and practicable to require use of a 
Marine Pollution Control Device for at least one class of vessel to 
mitigate adverse impacts on the marine environment:
    (a) Aqueous Film-Forming Foam: the firefighting foam and seawater 
mixture discharged during training, testing, or maintenance operations.
    (b) Catapult Water Brake Tank & Post-Launch Retraction Exhaust: the 
oily water skimmed from the water tank used to stop the forward motion 
of an aircraft carrier catapult, and the condensed steam discharged when 
the catapult is retracted.
    (c) Chain Locker Effluent: the accumulated precipitation and 
seawater that is emptied from the compartment used to store the vessel's 
anchor chain.
    (d) Clean Ballast: the seawater taken into, and discharged from, 
dedicated ballast tanks to maintain the stability of the vessel and to 
adjust the buoyancy of submarines.
    (e) Compensated Fuel Ballast: the seawater taken into, and 
discharged from, ballast tanks designed to hold both ballast water and 
fuel to maintain the stability of the vessel.
    (f) Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid: the hydraulic 
fluid that discharges into the surrounding seawater from propeller seals 
as part of normal operation, and the hydraulic fluid released during 
routine maintenance of the propellers.

[[Page 541]]

    (g) Deck Runoff: the precipitation, washdowns, and seawater falling 
on the weather deck of a vessel and discharged overboard through deck 
openings.
    (h) Dirty Ballast: the seawater taken into, and discharged from, 
empty fuel tanks to maintain the stability of the vessel.
    (i) Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine: the concentrated 
seawater (brine) produced as a byproduct of the processes used to 
generate freshwater from seawater.
    (j) Elevator Pit Effluent: the liquid that accumulates in, and is 
discharged from, the sumps of elevator wells on vessels.
    (k) Firemain Systems: the seawater pumped through the firemain 
system for firemain testing, maintenance, and training, and to supply 
water for the operation of certain vessel systems.
    (l) Gas Turbine Water Wash: the water released from washing gas 
turbine components.
    (m) Graywater: galley, bath, and shower water, as well as wastewater 
from lavatory sinks, laundry, interior deck drains, water fountains, and 
shop sinks.
    (n) Hull Coating Leachate: the constituents that leach, dissolve, 
ablate, or erode from the paint on the hull into the surrounding 
seawater.
    (o) Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge: the seawater taken 
into, and discharged from, motor gasoline tanks to eliminate free space 
where vapors could accumulate.
    (p) Non-Oily machinery wastewater: the combined wastewater from the 
operation of distilling plants, water chillers, valve packings, water 
piping, low- and high-pressure air compressors, and propulsion engine 
jacket coolers.
    (q) Photographic Laboratory Drains: the laboratory wastewater 
resulting from processing of photographic film.
    (r) Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge: the discharge of seawater 
from a dedicated system that provides noncontact cooling water for other 
vessel systems.
    (s) Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention: the discharge of seawater 
containing additives used to prevent the growth and attachment of 
biofouling organisms in dedicated seawater cooling systems on selected 
vessels.
    (t) Small Boat Engine Wet Exhaust: the seawater that is mixed and 
discharged with small boat propulsion engine exhaust to cool the exhaust 
and quiet the engine.
    (u) Sonar Dome Discharge: the leaching of antifoulant materials into 
the surrounding seawater and the release of seawater or freshwater 
retained within the sonar dome.
    (v) Submarine Bilgewater: the wastewater from a variety of sources 
that accumulates in the lowest part of the submarine (i.e., bilge).
    (w) Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water Separator Effluent: the 
wastewater from a variety of sources that accumulates in the lowest part 
of the vessel (the bilge), and the effluent produced when the wastewater 
is processed by an oil water separator.
    (x) Underwater Ship Husbandry: the materials discharged during the 
inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and repair of hulls performed while 
the vessel is waterborne.
    (y) Welldeck Discharges: the water that accumulates from seawater 
flooding of the docking well (welldeck) of a vessel used to transport, 
load, and unload amphibious vessels, and from maintenance and freshwater 
washings of the welldeck and equipment and vessels stored in the 
welldeck.



Sec. 1700.5  Discharges not requiring control.

    For the following discharges incidental to the normal operation of 
Armed Forces vessels, the Administrator and the Secretary have 
determined that it is not reasonable or practicable to require use of a 
Marine Pollution Control Device to mitigate adverse impacts on the 
marine environment:
    (a) Boiler Blowdown: the water and steam discharged when a steam 
boiler is blown down, or when a steam safety valve is tested.
    (b) Catapult Wet Accumulator Discharge: the water discharged from a 
catapult wet accumulator, which stores a steam/water mixture for 
launching aircraft from an aircraft carrier.
    (c) Cathodic Protection: the constituents released into surrounding 
water from sacrificial anode or impressed

[[Page 542]]

current cathodic hull corrosion protection systems.
    (d) Freshwater Lay-up: the potable water that is discharged from the 
seawater cooling system while the vessel is in port, and the cooling 
system is in lay-up mode (a standby mode where seawater in the system is 
replaced with potable water for corrosion protection).
    (e) Mine Countermeasures Equipment Lubrication: the constituents 
released into the surrounding seawater by erosion or dissolution from 
lubricated mine countermeasures equipment when the equipment is deployed 
and towed.
    (f) Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Discharge: the seawater 
pumped through the portable damage control drain pump and discharged 
overboard during testing, maintenance, and training activities.
    (g) Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Wet Exhaust: the seawater 
mixed and discharged with portable damage control drain pump exhaust to 
cool the exhaust and quiet the engine.
    (h) Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Condensate: the drainage of 
condensed moisture from air conditioning units, refrigerators, freezers, 
and refrigerated spaces.
    (i) Rudder Bearing Lubrication: the oil or grease released by the 
erosion or dissolution from lubricated bearings that support the rudder 
and allow it to turn freely.
    (j) Steam Condensate: the condensed steam discharged from a vessel 
in port, where the steam originates from port facilities.
    (k) Stern Tube Seals and Underwater Bearing Lubrication: the 
seawater pumped through stern tube seals and underwater bearings to 
lubricate and cool them during normal operation.
    (l) Submarine Acoustic Countermeasures Launcher Discharge: the 
seawater that is mixed with acoustic countermeasure device propulsion 
gas following a countermeasure launch that is then exchanged with 
surrounding seawater, or partially drained when the launch assembly is 
removed from the submarine for maintenance.
    (m) Submarine Emergency Diesel Engine Wet Exhaust: the seawater that 
is mixed and discharged with submarine emergency diesel engine exhaust 
to cool the exhaust and quiet the engine.
    (n) Submarine Outboard Equipment Grease and External Hydraulics: the 
grease released into the surrounding seawater by erosion or dissolution 
from submarine equipment exposed to seawater.



                       Subpart C--Effect on States



Sec. 1700.6  Effect on State and local statutes and regulations.

    (a) After the effective date of a final rule determining that it is 
not reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution 
Control Device regarding a particular discharge incidental to the normal 
operation of an Armed Forces vessel, States or political subdivisions of 
States may not adopt or enforce any State or local statute or 
regulation, including issuance or enforcement of permits under the 
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, controlling that 
discharge, except that States may establish a no-discharge zone by State 
prohibition (as provided in Sec. 1700.9), or apply for a no-discharge 
zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in Sec. 1700.10).
    (b)(1) After the effective date of a final rule determining that it 
is reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution 
Control Device regarding a particular discharge incidental to the normal 
operation of an Armed Forces vessel, States may apply for a no-discharge 
zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in Sec. 1700.10) for that 
discharge.
    (2) After the effective date of a final rule promulgated by the 
Secretary governing the design, construction, installation, and use of a 
Marine Pollution Control Device for a discharge listed in Sec. 1700.4, 
States or political subdivisions of States may not adopt or enforce any 
State or local statute or regulation, including issuance or enforcement 
of permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, 
controlling that discharge except that States may establish a no-
discharge zone by State prohibition (as provided in Sec. 1700.9), or 
apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in 
Sec. 1700.10).
    (c) The Governor of any State may submit a petition requesting that 
the

[[Page 543]]

Administrator and Secretary review a determination of whether a Marine 
Pollution Control Device is required for any discharge listed in 
Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5, or review a Federal standard of performance 
for a Marine Pollution Control Device.

                           No-Discharge Zones



Sec. 1700.7  No-discharge zones.

    For this part, a no-discharge zone is a waterbody, or portion 
thereof, where one or more discharges incidental to the normal operation 
of Armed Forces vessels, whether treated or not, are prohibited. A no-
discharge zone is established either by State prohibition using the 
procedures in Sec. 1700.9, or by EPA prohibition, upon application of a 
State, using the procedures in Sec. 1700.10.



Sec. 1700.8  Discharges for which no-discharge zones can be established.

    (a) A no-discharge zone may be established by State prohibition for 
any discharge listed in Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 following the 
procedures in Sec. 1700.9. A no-discharge zone established by a State 
using these procedures may apply only to those discharges that have been 
preempted from other State or local regulation pursuant to Sec. 1700.6.
    (b) A no-discharge zone may be established by EPA prohibition for 
any discharge listed in Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 following the 
procedures in Sec. 1700.10.



Sec. 1700.9  No-discharge zones by State prohibition.

    (a) A State seeking to establish a no-discharge zone by State 
prohibition must send to the Administrator the following information:
    (1) The discharge from Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 to be prohibited 
within the no-discharge zone.
    (2) A detailed description of the waterbody, or portions thereof, to 
be included in the prohibition. The description must include a map, 
preferably a USGS topographic quadrant map, clearly marking the zone 
boundaries by latitude and longitude.
    (3) A determination that the protection and enhancement of the 
waters described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section require greater 
environmental protection than provided by existing Federal standards.
    (4) A complete description of the facilities reasonably available 
for collecting the discharge including:
    (i) A map showing their location(s) and a written location 
description.
    (ii) A demonstration that the facilities have the capacity and 
capability to provide safe and sanitary removal of the volume of 
discharge being prohibited in terms of both vessel berthing and 
discharge reception.
    (iii) The schedule of operating hours of the facilities.
    (iv) The draft requirements of the vessel(s) that will be required 
to use the facilities and the available water depth at the facilities.
    (v) Information showing that handling of the discharge at the 
facilities is in conformance with Federal law.
    (5) Information on whether vessels other than those of the Armed 
Forces are subject to the same type of prohibition. If the State is not 
applying the prohibition to all vessels in the area, the State must 
demonstrate the technical or environmental basis for applying the 
prohibition only to Armed Forces vessels. The following information must 
be included in the technical or environmental basis for treating Armed 
Forces vessels differently:
    (i) An analysis showing the relative contributions of the discharge 
from Armed Forces and non-Armed Forces vessels.
    (ii) A description of State efforts to control the discharge from 
non-Armed Forces vessels.
    (b) The information provided under paragraph (a) of this section 
must be sufficient to enable EPA to make the two determinations listed 
below. Prior to making these determinations, EPA will consult with the 
Secretary on the adequacy of the facilities and the operational impact 
of any prohibition on Armed Forces vessels.
    (1) Adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the 
discharge are reasonably available for the specified waters.
    (2) The prohibition will not have the effect of discriminating 
against vessels of the Armed Forces by reason of the ownership or 
operation by the Federal

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Government, or the military function, of the vessels.
    (c) EPA will notify the State in writing of the result of the 
determinations under paragraph (b) of this section, and will provide a 
written explanation of any negative determinations. A no-discharge zone 
established by State prohibition will not go into effect until EPA 
determines that the conditions of paragraph (b) of this section have 
been met.



Sec. 1700.10  No-discharge zones by EPA prohibition.

    (a) A State requesting EPA to establish a no-discharge zone must 
send to the Administrator an application containing the following 
information:
    (1) The discharge from Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 to be prohibited 
within the no-discharge zone.
    (2) A detailed description of the waterbody, or portions thereof, to 
be included in the prohibition. The description must include a map, 
preferably a USGS topographic quadrant map, clearly marking the zone 
boundaries by latitude and longitude.
    (3) A technical analysis showing why protection and enhancement of 
the waters described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section require a 
prohibition of the discharge. The analysis must provide specific 
information on why the discharge adversely impacts the zone and how 
prohibition will protect the zone. In addition, the analysis should 
characterize any sensitive areas, such as aquatic sanctuaries, fish-
spawning and nursery areas, pristine areas, areas not meeting water 
quality standards, drinking water intakes, and recreational areas.
    (4) A complete description of the facilities reasonably available 
for collecting the discharge including:
    (i) A map showing their location(s) and a written location 
description.
    (ii) A demonstration that the facilities have the capacity and 
capability to provide safe and sanitary removal of the volume of 
discharge being prohibited in terms of both vessel berthing and 
discharge reception.
    (iii) The schedule of operating hours of the facilities.
    (iv) The draft requirements of the vessel(s) that will be required 
to use the facilities and the available water depth at the facilities.
    (v) Information showing that handling of the discharge at the 
facilities is in conformance with Federal law.
    (5) Information on whether vessels other than those of the Armed 
Forces are subject to the same type of prohibition. If the State is not 
applying a prohibition to other vessels in the area, the State must 
demonstrate the technical or environmental basis for applying a 
prohibition only to Armed Forces vessels. The following information must 
be included in the technical or environmental basis for treating Armed 
Forces vessels differently:
    (i) An analysis showing the relative contributions of the discharge 
from Armed Forces and non-Armed Forces vessels.
    (ii) A description of State efforts to control the discharge from 
non-Armed Forces vessels.
    (b) The information provided under paragraph (a) of this section 
must be sufficient to enable EPA to make the three determinations listed 
below. Prior to making these determinations, EPA will consult with the 
Secretary on the adequacy of the facilities and the operational impact 
of the prohibition on Armed Forces vessels.
    (1) The protection and enhancement of the specified waters require a 
prohibition of the discharge.
    (2) Adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the 
discharge are reasonably available for the specified waters.
    (3) The prohibition will not have the effect of discriminating 
against vessels of the Armed Forces by reason of the ownership or 
operation by the Federal Government, or the military function, or the 
vessels.
    (c) If the three conditions in paragraph (b) of this section are 
met, EPA will by regulation establish the no-discharge zone. If the 
conditions in paragraphs (b) (1) and (3) of this section are met, but 
the condition in paragraph (b)(2) of this section is not met, EPA may 
establish the no-discharge zone if it determines that the significance 
of the waters and the potential impact of the discharge are of 
sufficient magnitude to warrant any resulting constraints on Armed 
Forces vessels.

[[Page 545]]

    (d) EPA will notify the State of its decision on the no-discharge 
zone application in writing. If EPA approves the no-discharge zone 
application, EPA will by regulation establish the no-discharge zone by 
modification to this part. A no-discharge zone established by EPA 
prohibition will not go into effect until the effective date of the 
regulation.

                        State Petition for Review



Sec. 1700.11  State petition for review of determinations or standards.

    The Governor of any State may submit a petition requesting that the 
Administrator and Secretary review a determination of whether a Marine 
Pollution Control Device is required for any discharge listed in 
Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5, or review a Federal standard of performance 
for a Marine Pollution Control Device. A State may submit a petition 
only where there is new, significant information not considered 
previously by the Administrator and Secretary.



Sec. 1700.12  Petition requirements.

    A petition for review of a determination or standard must include:
    (a) The discharge from Sec. 1700.4 or Sec. 1700.5 for which a change 
in determination is requested, or the performance standard from 
Sec. 1700.14 for which review is requested.
    (b) The scientific and technical information on which the petition 
is based.
    (c) A detailed explanation of why the State believes that 
consideration of the new information should result in a change to the 
determination or the standard on a nationwide basis, and an explanation 
of how the new information is relevant to one or more of the following 
factors:
    (1) The nature of the discharge.
    (2) The environmental effects of the discharge.
    (3) The practicability of using a Marine Pollution Control Device.
    (4) The effect that installation or use of the Marine Pollution 
Control Device would have on the operation or operational capability of 
the vessel.
    (5) Applicable United States law.
    (6) Applicable international standards.
    (7) The economic costs of the installation and use of the Marine 
Pollution Control Device.



Sec. 1700.13  Petition decisions.

    The Administrator and the Secretary will evaluate the petition and 
grant or deny the petition no later than two years after the date of 
receipt of the petition. If the Administrator and Secretary grant the 
petition, they will undertake rulemaking to amend this part. If the 
Administrator and Secretary deny the petition, they will provide the 
State with a written explanation of why they denied it.



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



Sec. 1700.14  Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance Standards. [Reserved]