National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

SB771 California Clean Coast Act Of 2005: Vessel Discharges

Senate Bill 771, the “California Clean Coast Act of 2005” became effective on January 1, 2006. Two classes of vessels - “oceangoing ships” and large passenger vessels (cruise ships) - are now subject to new requirements when operating within State waters. This new legislation will affect vessel operations in three areas:

1. New Discharge Prohibitions;
2. New Requirements for Reporting Discharge of Prohibited Waste Streams; and,
3. The Submittal of a One-Time Survey Form to the California State Lands Commission
   

Furthermore, SB 771 directed the State Water Board to obtain permission from USEPA to impose sewage discharge prohibitions on cruise ships and other ocean-going vessels (300 gross tons or more with sufficient holding tank capacity) in California waters.  The State Water Board submitted an application under CWA 312 (f) (4)(A) to USEPA on 5 April 2006.  U.S.EPA approval is still pending.

For more information, please refer to the new law, (SB771 / PRC Section 72400-72442) and accompanying FAQ.

• How to Report Waste Discharges from Large Passenger Vessels and Oceangoing Ships
  
  
  • Please submit these reports via e-mail, phone or fax to:

    Attention: Renan Jauregui / Division of Water Quality
    E-Mail:  rjauregui@waterboards.ca.gov
    Phone: (916) 341-5505
    FAX:   (916)341-5463

  • Suggested Discharge Report Form
    Please Note:  The use of this form is not required, it is provided as a convenience.  The required components of a vessel release report can be found in SB771, Section 72421.
    
    
    
• One-Time Survey Conducted by the California State lands Commission (CSLC)
  
  
  • SB 771 required the CSLC to collect information on vessels visiting California ports of call regarding their vessel-specific wastewater management capabilities, port of call information, and crew requirements. The CSLC survey form (required to be filled-out only once per vessel during 2006) was submitted to the CSLC upon each vessel’s departure from its first port call in California during the 2006 calendar year.  The data from this survey was submitted to the State Water Board on February 1, 2007.  The State Water Board will submit the reported information to the Legislature by October 1, 2007.  For more information on this survey and a copy of the CSLC form, please refer to the CSLC website.
    
    
  • CSLC Marine Facilities Division Contact Information:

    Maurya Falkner
    Phone:  (916) 574-2568
    E-Mail: falknem@slc.ca.gov

( updated 8/6/07 )