Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report, 72353-72355 [E7-24737]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 244 / Thursday, December 20, 2007 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 199–205] South Carolina Public Service Authority; Santee Cooper Hydroelectric Project; Notice of Proposed Restricted Service List for a Programmatic Agreement for Managing Properties Included in or Eligible for Inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES December 13, 2007. Rule 2010 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that, to eliminate unnecessary expense or improve administrative efficiency, the Secretary may establish a restricted service list for a particular phase or issue in a proceeding.1 The restricted service list should contain the names of persons on the service list who, in the judgment of the decisional authority establishing the list, are active participants with respect to the phase or issue in the proceeding for which the list is established. The Commission staff is consulting with the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer (hereinafter, SHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (hereinafter, Council) pursuant to the Council’s regulations, 36 CFR part 800, implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 470f), to prepare and execute a programmatic agreement for managing properties included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places at Project No. 199. The programmatic agreement, when executed by the Commission and the SHPO, would satisfy the Commission’s Section 106 responsibilities for all individual undertakings carried out in accordance with the license until the license expires or is terminated (36 CFR 800.13[e]). The Commission’s responsibilities pursuant to Section 106 for the Santee Cooper Hydroelectric Project would be fulfilled through the programmatic agreement, which the Commission proposes to draft in consultation with certain parties listed below. The executed programmatic agreement would be incorporated into any Order issuing a license. South Carolina Public Service Authority, as licensee for Project No. 199, is invited to participate in consultations to develop the Programmatic Agreement and to sign as 1 18 cfr 385.2010. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:08 Dec 19, 2007 Jkt 214001 a concurring party to the Programmatic Agreement. For purposes of commenting on the Programmatic Agreement, we propose to restrict the service list for Project No. 199–205 as follows: Dr. Laura Henley Dean, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, The Old Post Office Building, Suite 803, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004 Dr. Rodger E. Stroup, SHPO, or Representative, Department of Archives & History, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223–4905 Dr. James T. Kardatzke, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Eastern Regional Office, 545 Marriott Drive, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37214 Russell Townsend or Representative, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cultural Resources Department, Qualla Boundary P.O. Box 455, Cherokee, NC 28719 Dr. Wenonah G. Haire, or Representative, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Catawba Indian Nation, Catawba Cultural Preservation Project, P.O. Box 750, Rock Hill, SC 29731 Charles D. Enyart, Chief, or Representative, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 350, Seneca, MO 64804 Emman Spain or Representative, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 1498, Wewoka, OK 74884 John C. Dulude, P.E., Manager, FERC Relicensing, South Carolina Public Service Authority, One Riverwood Drive, P.O. Box 2946101, Moncks Corner, SC 29461–6101 Richard H. Kimmel, Archaeologist, Environmental Resources Section, US Army Corps of Engineers, PO Box 1890, Wilmington, NC 28402 Amanda Hill, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Charleston Field Office, 176 Croghan Spur Road, Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29407 Robert Morgan, Heritage Program Manager, Francis Marion & Sumter National Forests, 2421 Witherbee Road, Cordesville, SC 29434 Any person on the official service list for the above-captioned proceedings may request inclusion on the restricted service list, or may request that a restricted service list not be established, by filing a motion to that effect within 15 days of this notice date. An original and 8 copies of any such motion must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission (888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426) and must be served on each person whose name appears on the official service list. PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72353 If no such motions are filed, the restricted service list will be effective at the end of the 15 day period. Otherwise, a further notice will be issued ruling on the motion. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–24664 Filed 12–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OW–2007–1156; FRL–8509–1] Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: EPA announces the availability of the Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report (Draft Report), which assesses five cruise ship waste streams, specifically, sewage, graywater, bilge water, solid waste, and hazardous waste. EPA prepared the Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report as part of its response to a petition submitted by the Bluewater Network on behalf of a number of environmental advocacy organizations. EPA invites public comment on its assessment, as well as input on options, alternatives, and recommendations on whether and how to better control and regulate these waste streams. EPA intends to use this public input to help identify a range of alternatives for these waste streams when it completes the Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report. DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 4, 2008. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OW–2007–1156, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: OW-Docket@epa.gov. • Mail: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. • Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20004, Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2007–1156. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1 72354 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 244 / Thursday, December 20, 2007 / Notices Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2007– 1156. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Water Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the Water Docket is (202) 566–2426. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Kim, Oceans and Coastal Protection Division, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, (4504T), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 566–1270; fax number: (202) 566–1546; e-mail address: kim.elizabeth@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Interested Entities Entities potentially interested in today’s notice are those who are interested in or addressing cruise ship waste streams. Categories and entities interested in today’s notice include: Category Examples of interested entities Federal Government .......................................................... U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Justice. Governments interested in or addressing cruise ship waste streams. Cruise industry, environmental interest groups. State/Local/Tribal Government .......................................... Industry and General Public .............................................. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be interested in this notice. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware could potentially be interested in this notice. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also be interested. B. How Can I Get Copies of This Document and Other Related Information? 1. Document Electronic Access. To obtain a copy of the Draft Report entitled Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report, please access our Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/owow/ oceans/cruise_ships/disch_assess.html. 2. Federal Register Docket. EPA has established a public docket for this notice under Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OW–2007–1156. The public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this notice and other information related to this notice. The public docket does not include information claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Water Docket in the EPA Docket Center. 3. Federal Register Electronic Access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the Federal Register listings at: https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/ . C. How and to Whom Do I Submit My Comments? Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2007–1156. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:08 Dec 19, 2007 Jkt 214001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2007– 1156, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: OW–Docket@epa.gov. E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 244 / Thursday, December 20, 2007 / Notices sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES • Mail: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20460. • Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20004, Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2007–1156. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. D. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA? You may find these suggestions helpful for preparing your comments: 1. Explain your comments as clearly as possible. 2. Describe any assumptions that you used. 3. Provide any technical information and/or data you used that support your comments. 4. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns. 5. Offer alternatives. 6. Make sure to submit your comments by the time period deadline identified. 7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket identification number in the subject line on the first page of your response. It would also be helpful if you provided the name, date, and Federal Register citation related to your comments. EPA specifically requests comment and public input on the following: 1. Sewage Discharges. Should sewage discharges from cruise ships be better controlled and regulated? If so, why? If such discharges should be better controlled and/or regulated, please recommend one or more such options (and identify your preferred recommendation), as well as any option or options relating to sampling, monitoring, and reporting of sewage discharges. 2. Graywater Discharges. Should graywater discharges from cruise ships be better controlled and regulated? If so, why? If such discharges should be better controlled and/or regulated, please recommend one or more such options and identify your preferred recommendation. Should EPA more narrowly define graywater? If so, why? If the term should be more narrowly defined, please recommend an option or options, and identify your preferred recommendation. 3. Hazardous Wastes. Should hazardous wastes generated on cruise ships be better managed and regulated? If so, why? If such discharges should be better managed and/or regulated, please VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:08 Dec 19, 2007 Jkt 214001 recommend one or more such options, and identify your preferred recommendation. 4. Solid Wastes. Should solid wastes generated on cruise ships be better managed and regulated? If so, why? If such discharges should be better controlled and/or regulated, please recommend one or more such options, and identify your preferred recommendation. With regard to the incineration of some solid wastes generated on cruise ships, EPA invites specific comment regarding the sampling and/or testing of incinerator ash. 5. Oily Bilge Water. Should oily bilge water generated on and discharged from cruise ships be better controlled and regulated? If so, why? If such discharges should be better controlled and/or regulated, please recommend one or more such options, and identify your preferred recommendation. II. Background Cruise ships operate in every ocean worldwide, often in pristine coastal waters and sensitive marine ecosystems. Cruise ship operators provide amenities to their passengers that are similar to those of luxury resort hotels, including pools, hair salons, restaurants, and dry cleaners. As a result, cruise ships have the potential to generate wastes similar in volume and character to those generated by hotels. In March 2000, an environmental advocacy group called the Bluewater Network, representing 53 environmental organizations, submitted a petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that EPA identify and take regulatory action on measures to address pollution by cruise ships. Specifically, the petition requested an in-depth assessment of the volumes and characteristics of cruise ship waste streams; analysis of their potential impact on water quality, the marine environment, and human health; examination of existing federal regulations governing cruise ship waste streams; and formulation of recommendations on how to better control and regulate these waste streams. The petition included specific requests related to sewage, graywater, oily bilge water, solid wastes, and hazardous wastes, as well as monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting. In addition, the petition requested that EPA prepare a report of its investigations and findings. This Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report responds in part to the petition from Bluewater Network. The Draft Report assesses five primary cruise ship waste streams, specifically, PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72355 sewage, graywater, bilge water, solid waste, and hazardous waste. For each waste stream, the Draft Report discusses (1) the nature and volume of the waste stream generated; (2) existing federal regulations applicable to the waste stream; (3) environmental management, including treatment, of the waste stream; (4) potential adverse environmental impacts of the waste stream; and (5) actions by the federal government to address the waste stream. III. This Action EPA invites and requests comments on all aspects of the Draft Report. In addition, EPA invites and requests public input on options, alternatives, and recommendations on whether and how to better control and regulate these waste streams (see section I.C. for information regarding how to submit comments). When EPA completes the Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report after consideration of public comment, EPA plans to identify a range of options and alternatives to address these waste streams. EPA anticipates issuance of the completed Report by the end of 2008 and would publish a notice of availability of the Report at that time. Dated: December 14, 2007. Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water. [FR Doc. E7–24737 Filed 12–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, Comment Requested December 12, 2007. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Public Law 104–13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 244 (Thursday, December 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72353-72355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24737]


=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2007-1156; FRL-8509-1]


Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA announces the availability of the Draft Cruise Ship 
Discharge Assessment Report (Draft Report), which assesses five cruise 
ship waste streams, specifically, sewage, graywater, bilge water, solid 
waste, and hazardous waste. EPA prepared the Draft Cruise Ship 
Discharge Assessment Report as part of its response to a petition 
submitted by the Bluewater Network on behalf of a number of 
environmental advocacy organizations. EPA invites public comment on its 
assessment, as well as input on options, alternatives, and 
recommendations on whether and how to better control and regulate these 
waste streams. EPA intends to use this public input to help identify a 
range of alternatives for these waste streams when it completes the 
Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 4, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2007-1156, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
     E-mail: OW-Docket@epa.gov.
     Mail: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room 
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20004, Attention 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-1156. Such deliveries are only accepted 
during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements 
should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

[[Page 72354]]

    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-
1156. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in 
the public docket without change and may be made available online at 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov. The 
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you 
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment 
directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the 
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Water Docket, EPA/DC, EPA 
West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The 
Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Water 
Docket is (202) 566-2426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Kim, Oceans and Coastal 
Protection Division, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, 
(4504T), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 566-1270; fax number: (202) 566-1546; e-mail 
address: kim.elizabeth@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Interested Entities

    Entities potentially interested in today's notice are those who are 
interested in or addressing cruise ship waste streams. Categories and 
entities interested in today's notice include:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Category                  Examples of interested entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Government................  U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic
                                     and Atmospheric Administration,
                                     U.S. Department of Justice.
State/Local/Tribal Government.....  Governments interested in or
                                     addressing cruise ship waste
                                     streams.
Industry and General Public.......  Cruise industry, environmental
                                     interest groups.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be interested in this 
notice. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware 
could potentially be interested in this notice. Other types of entities 
not listed in the table could also be interested.

B. How Can I Get Copies of This Document and Other Related Information?

    1. Document Electronic Access. To obtain a copy of the Draft Report 
entitled Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report, please access 
our Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/cruise_ships/disch_
assess.html.
    2. Federal Register Docket. EPA has established a public docket for 
this notice under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-1156. The public docket 
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this notice and 
other information related to this notice. The public docket does not 
include information claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
through www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Water Docket in the 
EPA Docket Center.
    3. Federal Register Electronic Access. You may access this Federal 
Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the 
Federal Register listings at: https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit My Comments?

    Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-1156. EPA's 
policy is that all comments received will be included in the public 
docket without change and may be made available online at 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov. The 
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you 
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment 
directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-
1156, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
     E-mail: OW-Docket@epa.gov.

[[Page 72355]]

     Mail: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room 
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20004, Attention 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-1156. Such deliveries are only accepted 
during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements 
should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

D. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find these suggestions helpful for preparing your comments:
    1. Explain your comments as clearly as possible.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide any technical information and/or data you used that 
support your comments.
    4. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    5. Offer alternatives.
    6. Make sure to submit your comments by the time period deadline 
identified.
    7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket 
identification number in the subject line on the first page of your 
response. It would also be helpful if you provided the name, date, and 
Federal Register citation related to your comments.
    EPA specifically requests comment and public input on the 
following:
    1. Sewage Discharges. Should sewage discharges from cruise ships be 
better controlled and regulated? If so, why? If such discharges should 
be better controlled and/or regulated, please recommend one or more 
such options (and identify your preferred recommendation), as well as 
any option or options relating to sampling, monitoring, and reporting 
of sewage discharges.
    2. Graywater Discharges. Should graywater discharges from cruise 
ships be better controlled and regulated? If so, why? If such 
discharges should be better controlled and/or regulated, please 
recommend one or more such options and identify your preferred 
recommendation. Should EPA more narrowly define graywater? If so, why? 
If the term should be more narrowly defined, please recommend an option 
or options, and identify your preferred recommendation.
    3. Hazardous Wastes. Should hazardous wastes generated on cruise 
ships be better managed and regulated? If so, why? If such discharges 
should be better managed and/or regulated, please recommend one or more 
such options, and identify your preferred recommendation.
    4. Solid Wastes. Should solid wastes generated on cruise ships be 
better managed and regulated? If so, why? If such discharges should be 
better controlled and/or regulated, please recommend one or more such 
options, and identify your preferred recommendation. With regard to the 
incineration of some solid wastes generated on cruise ships, EPA 
invites specific comment regarding the sampling and/or testing of 
incinerator ash.
    5. Oily Bilge Water. Should oily bilge water generated on and 
discharged from cruise ships be better controlled and regulated? If so, 
why? If such discharges should be better controlled and/or regulated, 
please recommend one or more such options, and identify your preferred 
recommendation.

II. Background

    Cruise ships operate in every ocean worldwide, often in pristine 
coastal waters and sensitive marine ecosystems. Cruise ship operators 
provide amenities to their passengers that are similar to those of 
luxury resort hotels, including pools, hair salons, restaurants, and 
dry cleaners. As a result, cruise ships have the potential to generate 
wastes similar in volume and character to those generated by hotels.
    In March 2000, an environmental advocacy group called the Bluewater 
Network, representing 53 environmental organizations, submitted a 
petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting 
that EPA identify and take regulatory action on measures to address 
pollution by cruise ships. Specifically, the petition requested an in-
depth assessment of the volumes and characteristics of cruise ship 
waste streams; analysis of their potential impact on water quality, the 
marine environment, and human health; examination of existing federal 
regulations governing cruise ship waste streams; and formulation of 
recommendations on how to better control and regulate these waste 
streams. The petition included specific requests related to sewage, 
graywater, oily bilge water, solid wastes, and hazardous wastes, as 
well as monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting. In addition, the 
petition requested that EPA prepare a report of its investigations and 
findings.
    This Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report responds in part 
to the petition from Bluewater Network. The Draft Report assesses five 
primary cruise ship waste streams, specifically, sewage, graywater, 
bilge water, solid waste, and hazardous waste. For each waste stream, 
the Draft Report discusses (1) the nature and volume of the waste 
stream generated; (2) existing federal regulations applicable to the 
waste stream; (3) environmental management, including treatment, of the 
waste stream; (4) potential adverse environmental impacts of the waste 
stream; and (5) actions by the federal government to address the waste 
stream.

III. This Action

    EPA invites and requests comments on all aspects of the Draft 
Report. In addition, EPA invites and requests public input on options, 
alternatives, and recommendations on whether and how to better control 
and regulate these waste streams (see section I.C. for information 
regarding how to submit comments). When EPA completes the Cruise Ship 
Discharge Assessment Report after consideration of public comment, EPA 
plans to identify a range of options and alternatives to address these 
waste streams. EPA anticipates issuance of the completed Report by the 
end of 2008 and would publish a notice of availability of the Report at 
that time.

    Dated: December 14, 2007.
Benjamin H. Grumbles,
Assistant Administrator for Water.
[FR Doc. E7-24737 Filed 12-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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