March 29, 2013
The news release stating that it has posted the final 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP), along with a Fact Sheet to explain the VGP and an Economic Analysis explaining what the EPA thinks this program costs and what benefits it is expected to provide. The new permit comes into effect on 19 December, replacing the 2008 VGP. (3/28/13).
Courtesy of Bryant’s Maritime Consulting
November 29, 2012
February 13, 2012
A reminder from Tall Ships America’s Ship’s Operation and Safety Committee (SOS)- The deadline for comments on the EPA’s draft Vessel General Permit AND draft Small Vessel General Permit is Feb. 21, 2012. (see posting below for details)
We encourage member vessels to register your comments on the new Permits. The EPA is actively seeking input from members of the maritime community. It is the intention of Tall Ships America to post a comment requesting that Sailing School Vessels and Sub Chapter T and S sailing vessels be exempted from this permitting process.
Within the next 24 hours, a template letter will be sent to member vessels with suggested wording for the comment highlighting the concerns of Tall Ships America regarding this permit process and the effects it will have on our member vessels.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice stating that it is issuing two draft vessel general permits to regulate discharges from commercial vessels. The draft permits are intended to 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 (VGP), covering vessels greater than 79 feet in length, is intended to replace the current 2008 VGP when it expires in December 2013.
The new draft Small Vessel General Permit (SVGP) would cover commercial vessels of 79 feet in length or less and would come into effect in December 2013.
Among other things, the VGP would include a numeric standard to control the release of non-indigenous invasive species that is generally consistent with the standard provided for in the IMO’s 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention. A public hearing will be held in Washington, DC on January 11 and a public meeting will be held in Chicago on January 23.
Written comments should be submitted by February 21, 2012. 76 Fed. Reg. 76716 (December 8, 2011). The topic is also addressed in the Fall 2011 edition of the EPA’s NPDES Vessels Program newsletter.
January 26, 2012
Due to high interest on the draft Vessel General Permit (VGP) and Small Vessel General Permit (sVGP) programs, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled two question and answer webinars. These sessions will allow those stakeholders who could not attend one of EPA’s public meetings to give oral public comments. The purpose of these sessions will be to answer questions from the public and to take public comment. Please note that EPA may impose limits on the time allowed for oral statements. EPA is hosting webinars at different times to accommodate stakeholders in different time zones.
The first webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31 from 10 am – 12 pm (EST). To register for the January 31 webinar, please visit
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/372154234.
The second webinar is scheduled for Tuesday February 7 from 3 pm – 5 pm (EST). To register for the February 7 webinar, please visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/278817074. (1/25/12).
February 16, 2012
Calling all Tall Ships America Organizational Members!
Posted by Erin under Comment Periods, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal RegulationsLeave a Comment
URGENT!
Dear Organizational Members of Tall Ships America:
The EPA is accepting comments regarding its regulations for vessels’ “Incidental Discharge” and the Vessel General Permit requirements. We have been following this issue, and commenting when possible, since 2008. Our comments, directly from Tall Ships America and from you the Members, have had an important and positive effect on the evolution of these regulations, but we are not done and it is time to hit it again.
Please download a letter template that you can use for submitting a comment from your organization. Feel free to customize it to suit your organizations’ needs, but be sure to retain all of the essential points.
Comment period closes on 21 Feb 2012!
Email your comment letter to: ow-docket@epa.gov
Then Mail the Original plus three copies to:
Water Docket
Environmental Protection Agency
Mail Code: 4101T
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Take the time to do this. Your comments will be heard.
Thanks,
Bert Rogers, Executive Director
The mission of Tall Ships America is to encourage character building through sail training, promote sail training to the North American public and support education under sail.
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