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Dry Cargo Residue Discharges on the Great Lakes

 

Interim Rule for Dry Cargo Residue Discharges on the Great Lakes

On September 29, 2008 the Coast Guard published an interim rule, amending 33 CFR 151.66 to allow the discharge of dry cargo residues (DCR) in limited areas of the Great Lakes by self-propelled vessels and barges that are part of an integrated tug and barge unit (73 Fed. Reg. 56492).  Only non-toxic and non-hazardous dry cargo residues are allowed to be discharged.  This rule adopts the Coast Guard's Ninth District 1997 Interim Enforcement Policy, but adds sensitive and protected areas where discharges are now prohibited (Guide for DCR Discharge Allowances, Restrictions and Prohibitions).  These regulations also add new recordkeeping and reporting requirements and encourage dry bulk cargo carriers to adopt voluntary control measures to reduce discharges.

DCR Recordkeeping and Reporting

* Note: The PDF version of the reporting form has been updated. Both versions of the form allow users to save data to the form using either Adobe Reader or MS Excel.

As part of the interim rule, bulk dry cargo carriers are required to keep records of each loading and unloading operation, any DCR control measures used and their associated discharge events, if any, using the Bulk Dry Cargo Residue Reporting Form (CG-33).  These records must be kept on board the vessel a minimum of two years.  In addition, these records must be provided to the Coast Guard at least on a quarterly basis, no later than the 15^th day of January, April, July and October.  The initial reports for this regulation are due January 15, 2009.  Reports can be submitted to the Coast Guard by the following means:

1. E-mail to DCRRecordkeeping@uscg.mil  
   
   If you are interested in knowing when your e-mail is opened, you can set your e-mail application preferences to request a read receipt.
   

2. Fax to (202) 372-1926, ATTN: DCR RECORDKEEPING
   
3. Mail to:

Commandant (CG-522)
ATTN: DCR RECORDKEEPING
CGHQ Room 1210
2100 Second Street SW
Washington, DC 20593-0001

Please see the instructions for additional information on completing the Bulk Dry Cargo Residue Discharge Reporting Form (example of completed Reporting Form).  In order to generate the most accurate data possible on the reporting forms, the instructions and sample form may be occasionally updated to provide additional guidance.  (Instructions and sample form REVISED 03/20/09) 

Voluntary DCR Control Measures

The Coast Guard is also encouraging dry bulk cargo carriers and facilities to use voluntary control measures to reduce the discharge of DCR, if not already employed.  A list of these control measures can be viewed on the second page of Bulk Dry Cargo Residue Reporting Form (CG-33) or in the Interim Rule at 73 Fed. Reg. 56492.  If control measures employed by a facility or vessel are not listed on the Bulk Dry Cargo Residue Reporting Form (CG-33), please ensure these are recorded in the "remarks" line and enter the code for "other" for the corresponding to either the facility or vessel where the control measure was used.

New Phase of the DCR Rulemaking

As presented in our Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in May 2008, the Coast Guard will be undertaking a new phase of the rulemaking for dry cargo residue discharges on the Great Lakes.  This new phase will consider what additional conditions, if any, should be imposed on DCR discharges in order to offset any long-term impacts they might have.  A Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)-that will tier off the EIS published in support of the Interim Rule-was published on December 29, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

Taconite pellets -- a typical example of non-toxic non-hazardous dry cargo residue commonly discharged overboard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dry Cargo Residue Discharges in the Great Lakes – 
Availability of Lake Carriers’ Association Video Presentation

(July 3, 2006)

A video presentation prepared by the Lakes Carriers’ Association, an industry group, is available for viewing (Video: "The Need for Cargo Washdown on the Great Lakes" produced by the Lake Carriers Association (25 MB)). The video provides background information about the practice of dry cargo residue discharges that may be of interest to the public. At this time, the Coast Guard takes no position with respect to statements or assertions made in the video. We will be happy to make available to the public similar material that may be submitted by other individuals or organizations. If you wish to submit such material, please consult any of the Coast Guard’s Federal Register notices in this docket for directions on doing so.

 

The following links and documentation are provided for additional information:

Notice of intent; request for comments; notice of public scoping meeting for phase II of DCR rulemaking

Federal Register - Interim Rule for Dry Cargo Residue Discharges on the Great Lakes

Bulk Dry Cargo Residue Reporting Form (CG-33)

Guide for DCR Discharge Allowances, Restrictions and Prohibitions

DCR Small Entity Compliance Guide

Record of Decision for Dry Cargo Residue Discharges on the Great Lakes

Federal Register - Notice of Availability for Final Environmental Impact Statement

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Rulemaking for DCR Discharges on the Great Lakes Appendix A: Interim Enforcement Policy Appendix B: Expert Committee Input into the EIS  Appendix C: Public Scoping Meeting and Comments Appendix D: Preliminary Alternatives Evaluation Process Appendix E: DCR Control Measure Evaluation, Methodology and Criteria Appendix F: Estimated Cost of Alternatives Appendix G: Agency Coordination Appendix H: Spring 2007 Depositional Area Characterization Appendix I: Sediment Mapping by Sidescan Sonar Analysis Appendix J: Identification of Sonar Investigation Sites Appendix K: EIS Depositional Area Characterization - Detailed Sampling and Analysis Plan Appendix L: Sweepings Characterization - Chemical and Physical Analyses Appendix M: Scientific Plan Impact Analysis Appendix N: Impact Analysis of Ongoing DCR Practices Appendix O: DCR Control Measure Effectiveness Appendix P: DCR Discharge Analysis Using Mathematical Simulation Appendix Q: Zebra and Quagga Mussel Colonization Literature Review Appendix R: Biological Characterization - Nutrient Enrichment Appendix S: Sweepings Characterization - Toxicological Analyses Appendix T: Comments Received on the Draft EIS Appendix U: Public Meeting Transcripts Appendix V: Summary of Comments Received and Responses to Comments Appendix W: Postveliger Colonization Study

Historical Information, Documents and Background     (Note: use CTRL + click to follow links within Background and History document)

 

Contact the Environmental Standards Division:

 

Environmental Standards Division (CG-5224)
U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters 
2100 Second Street SW
Washington, DC 20593

Tel: 202-372-1402

E-mail:  environmental_standards@uscg.mil

Listserv:  http://cgls.uscg.mil/mailman/listinfo/environmentalstds

Web:  www.uscg.mil/environmental_standards/