DEC Announces Marine “No Discharge Zones” for Lake Erie and St. Lawrence River

 


October 16, 2012 - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in collaboration with the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the Department of State (DOS), has submitted petitions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to designate New York’s portion of Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence River as a “Vessel Waste No Discharge Zone.” The petitions must be submitted by DEC before EPA acts to establish a no discharge under Clean Water Act protocols. A “No Discharge Zone” designation means that boaters and shippers are not allowed to discharge their on-board sewage into the water. Boaters must instead dispose of their sewage at pump-out stations that are available for recreational boater use. A list of pump-out stations is available on DEC’s website.

Since 1976, DEC has designated most of the coastal waters and connecting waterways in New York as Vessel Waste No Discharge Zones. In 2010, DEC and EPA announced a joint initiative to establish No Discharge Zones for all waterbodies and waterways in the state. The Lake Erie and St. Lawrence River petitions are part of DEC’s continuing effort to meet that goal. Approval would extend protection to all of New York’s Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River shoreline. Lake Ontario was designated a No Discharge Zone in 2011.


Upon concurrence by EPA, an opportunity for public comment will be announced in the Federal Register. When that concludes, EPA will address comments and determine if there are adequate vessel pump-out stations to support the No Discharge Zone. If EPA concurs, the No Discharge Zone would be enforced by DEC law enforcement, state police and local authorities.


 

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