[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 66264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31925]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Notice on Garbage Discharges for Navy Ships in MARPOL Annex V 
Special Areas

SUMMARY: Under Section 1003 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 1994, Public Law 103-160, the Secretary of Defense must 
report annually in years 1994 through 2000 on the amount and nature of 
garbage discharges from Navy ships operating in special areas, when 
such discharges are not otherwise authorized under Annex V of the 
International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 
(MARPOL). This notice is the third annual report.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Convention on the 
Prevention of Pollution from ships (MARPOL) as amended by the MARPOL 
Protocol of 1978, protects the ocean environment by prohibiting some 
discharges altogether, restricting other discharges to particular 
distances from land, and establishing ``special areas'' within which 
additional discharge limitations apply. Special areas are particular 
bodies of water which, because of their oceanographic characteristics 
and ecological significance, require protective measures more strict 
than other areas of the ocean. Within special areas that are in effect 
internationally, except under emergency circumstances the only 
authorized garbage discharge from vessels in food waste. At present, 
three special areas are in effect: the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and 
the Antarctic Region.
    Section 1003 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 1994, Public Law 103-160, 107 Stat. 1745, established deadlines 
for compliance by U.S. Navy ships with the Annex V special area 
requirements. Surface ships must comply with the special area 
requirements. Surface ships must comply with the special area 
requirements by 31 December 2000. Submarines must comply with the 
special area requirements by 31 December 2008. The Act further requires 
the Secretary of Defense to report in the Federal Register the amount 
and nature of Navy ship discharges in special areas, not otherwise 
authorized under MARPOL Annex V. This Federal Register notice is the 
third of the required annual reports. This report covers the period 
between 1 August 1995 and 31 July 1996. The end date of July 31st is 
necessary to allow time for data collection and report preparation. 
During the period 1 August 1995 through 31 July 1996 there were no 
garbage discharges from Navy Ships into MARPOL Annex V special areas 
that were not authorized under MARPOL Annex V.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Louis Maiuri, Office of the Chief 
of Naval Operations Environmental Protection, Safety and Occupational 
Health Division, Crystal Plaza #4, Room 654, 2211 South Clark Place, 
Arlington, Virginia 22244-5108; telephone 703-602-2602.

    Dated: December 9, 1996.
D. E. Koenig, Jr.,
LCDR, JAGC, USN, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-31925 Filed 12-16-96; 8:45 am]
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