EPA Proposes Updated Vessel General Permit and Permit for Small Vessels

Action would help protect U.S. water quality and lower invasive species risk

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing two draft vessel general permits that would regulate discharges from commercial vessels, excluding military and recreational vessels. The proposed permits would help protect the nation’s waters from ship-borne pollutants and reduce the risk of introduction of invasive species from ballast water discharges.

The draft Vessel General Permit, which covers commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, would replace the current 2008 Vessel General Permit, when it expires in December 2013. Under the Clean Water Act, permits are issued for a five-year period after which time EPA generally issues revised permits based on updated information and requirements. The new draft Small Vessel General Permit would cover vessels smaller than 79 feet in length and would provide such vessels with the Clean Water Act permit coverage they will be required to have as of December 2013.

Both permits will be subject to a 75-day public comment period, which will allow a broad array of stakeholders, including industry and communities, to provide feedback. That information will help inform EPA’s decision on the final permits, which are expected to go into effect in 2013. EPA intends to issue the final permits in November 2012, a full year in advance, to allow vessel owners and operators time to prepare for new permit requirements.

Information on the draft Vessel General Permit:

The updated permit would reduce the administrative burden for vessel owners and operators, eliminating duplicative reporting requirements, clarifying that electronic recordkeeping may be used instead of paper records, and streamlining self-inspection requirements for vessels that are out of service for extended periods. The permit would continue to regulate the 26 specific discharge categories that were contained in the 2008 permit and, for the first time, manage the discharge of fish hold effluent.

A key new provision of the permit is a proposed numeric standard to control the release of non-indigenous invasive species in ballast water discharges. The new ballast water discharge standard addressing invasive species is based upon results from independent EPA Science Advisory Board and National Research Council National Academy of Sciences studies. These limits are generally consistent with those contained in the International Maritime Organization’s 2004 Ballast Water Convention.

The new standard is expected to substantially reduce the risk of introduction and establishment of non-indigenous invasive species in U.S. waters.

The draft Vessel General Permit also contains updated conditions for mechanical systems that may leak lubricants into the water and exhaust gas scrubber washwater, which would reduce the amount of oil and other pollutants that enter U.S. waters. EPA will take comment on potentially more stringent requirements for bilgewater discharges.

Information on the draft Small Vessel General Permit:

This permit would be the first under the Clean Water Act to address discharges incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels less than 79 feet in length. Recognizing that small commercial vessels are substantially different in how they operate than their larger counterparts, the draft Small Vessel General Permit is shorter and simpler. The draft permit specifies best management practices for several broad discharge management categories including fuel management, engine and oil control, solid and liquid maintenance, graywater management, fish hold effluent management and ballast water management, which consists of common sense management measures to reduce the risk of spreading invasive species. The permit would go into effect at the conclusion of a current moratorium enacted by Congress that exempts all incidental discharges from such vessels, with the exception of ballast water, from having to obtain a permit until December 18, 2013.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels

Alternative Biofuel

NMMA Evaluates Promising Alternative Biofuel

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 18, 2011–The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today released findings from preliminary evaluations on isobutanol-gasoline blends supplied by Gevo.   The tests were conducted by NMMA and the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) as the recreational boating industry explores alternative biofuels in response to the U.S. introduction of gasoline containing fifteen percent ethanol, commonly referred to as E15.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency recently approved the use of E15 for model year 2001 and newer cars and trucks. However, the boating industry has found that fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol causes severe damage to boat engines. While marine engines are not currently approved by the EPA for use with E15, misfueling at the pump is a danger for boaters unaware that E15 is not compliant with boat engines.

 

In fact, the Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced results from tests conducted on engines using E15 which revealed performance issues like stalling, corrosion leading to oil or fuel leaks, increased emissions and damaged valves, rubber fuel lines and gaskets. These results reinforced the recreational boating industry’s concern that E15 is not a suitable fuel for boat engines.

 

In contrast, the testing conducted on isobutanol reveals it could be a promising biofuel alternative to E15.The NMMA and ABYC isobutanol evaluations tested components, including older fiberglass tanks, and engines during on-the-water testing on inboard, outboard, jet pump and two-stroke outboard engines. The tests showed isobutanol to produce no more emissions than pure, EPA-approved test gasoline, while producing 30 percent more energy than ethanol. Support from Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) and Volvo made the testing possible through the provisions of product, personnel and testing equipment.

 

What’s more, the DOE has designated isobutanol a "drop-in biofuel," meaning it can be used to displace petroleum under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and increasing its use could help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.  Support from Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) and Volvo Penta made the testing possible through the provisions of product, personnel and testing equipment. Gevo, Inc., producer of isobutanol, supplied the fuel for the testing.

 

NMMA President Thom Dammrich says of the NMMA and ABYC isobutanol research, “We are pleased with the results of the evaluation on isobutanol and look forward to more testing on this, and other, important alternatives to E15. We know E15 causes significant damage to boat engines and therefore rushing it to the market is irresponsible and an unnecessary step, especially in light of the promising test results on isobutanol.”

 

For questions or media inquiries please contact Lauren Dunn at 202-280-6928 or ldunn@nmma.org. To read the recently released Boat US article on this important evaluation, click here.

Right Whales Are On The Move

NOAA Fisheries Service is reminding all mariners and fishermen that North Atlantic right whale calving season begins in mid-November and runs through mid-April, which means these large whales are on the move, making their way down the southeast coast.

Boaters are asked to report sightings of the endangered whale and keep a distance of at least 500 yards from the protected species. Currently scientists estimate as few as approximately 360 right whales remain, making the right whale one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world.

Each winter pregnant right whales migrate south, more than 1,000 miles from their feeding grounds off Canada and New England to the warm coastal waters of South Carolina, Georgia and northeastern Florida, to give birth and nurse their young. These southern waters are the only known calving area for the species.

“Right whales are dark with no dorsal fin and they often swim slowly at or just below the water’s surface,” said Barb Zoodsma, NOAA Fisheries Service’s southeast right whale recovery program coordinator. “Many mariners mistakenly assume that because of their large size, right whales would be easy to see, but often a slight difference in texture on the water’s surface is the only clue that a whale is present.”

To reduce the risk of collisions between right whales and vessels, NOAA and its partners conduct aerial surveys over northeast Florida and Georgia waters from December through March, and in New England waters from January through December. Additionally, surface buoys are deployed in strategic locations to acoustically detect right whales. The nearly real-time information from these aerial surveys and buoys is used to alert mariners of the presence of right whales, enabling ships to alter their course to avoid potential collisions with the whales.

North Atlantic right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Federal law prohibits approaching or remaining within 500 yards of right whales, either by watercraft or aircraft. Federal law also requires vessels 65 feet long and greater to slow to 10 knots or less in Seasonal Management Areas along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, including the calving and nursery area in the southeastern U.S. Speed restrictions are in place in various places along the mid Atlantic from November 1 through April 30, and in the southeast U.S. calving area from November 15 through April 15. For more information on seasonal ship speed restrictions, visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike/

NOAA Fisheries Service encourages people to report sightings of dead, injured, or entangled whales to NOAA at 877-433-8299.

E15 Is Not a Suitable Fuel for Marine Engines

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 3, 2011– On Wednesday, Mr. David Hilbert testified before Congress on behalf of NMMA to address concerns about E15 and marine engines. Mr. Hilbert, thermodynamic development engineer for Mercury Marine, a division of the Brunswick Corporation, participated in a Congressional hearing before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. The subcommittee invited a number of specialists to testify on E15 and its effects. Mr. Hilbert led the research on E15 and its effects on marine engines as reported by the Department of Energy in reports released in late October.

Mr. Hilbert’s testimony highlighted the damaging effects that E15 has on marine engines, and noted that more testing is needed to further identify how E15 will affect engines and fuel systems under various conditions. Mercury’s testing showed significant problems with outboard engines, including severe damage to engine components and an increase in exhaust emissions, reinforcing the recreational boating industry’s concern that E15 is not a suitable fuel for marine engines.

 

The Subcommittee heard testimony from representatives of the EPA, the American Petroleum Institute, Gevo, the Energy Biosciences Institute, the University of Wyoming Institute of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association. Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD), received David’s testimony favorably and the committee members had no questions for Mr. Hilbert after the research was presented. The testimony and accompanying photos will be printed in the official record of the hearing.

 

NMMA President Thom Dammrich says, “We are pleased that Congress has shown an ongoing interest in this important research. NMMA is committed to continued research on E15 and its effects on marine engines. We hope that before any E15 is offered to the public, a thorough investigation will be completed so that boaters can safely fuel their vessels without incident now, and in the future.”
For questions or media inquiries please contact Lauren Dunn at 202-280-6928 or ldunn@nmma.org.

 

 

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information visit www.nmma.org.