EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

Bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis), Canary Rockfish (Sebastes pinniger), and the Pacific
Eulachon/Smelt (Thaleichthys pacificus). This list includes ESUs and DPSs not specifically
associated with the RAAs evaluated by EPA.
The VGPs include limits on certain discharges in Waters Federally Protected Wholly or in Part
for Conservation. This list includes marine sanctuaries, units of the National Park System, units
of the National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wilderness areas, national wild and scenic
rivers system components and any water body designated as an Outstanding National Resource
Water (ONRW) by a State or Tribe.
These discharge limitations for Waters Federally Protected Wholly or in Part for Conservation
include:
� Bilgewater may not be discharged into Waters Federally Protected Wholly or in Part for
Conservation unless the discharge is necessary to maintain the safety and stability of the
ship.
� Ballastwater discharge or uptake must be avoided in/into waters within, or that may
directly affect, marine sanctuaries, marine preserves marine parks, or coral reefs or
Waters Federally Protected Wholly or in Part for Conservation.
� Unexchanged or untreated ballast water or sediment may not be discharged to Waters
Federally Protected Wholly or in Part for Conservation by:
o Any vessels that carry ballast water that was taken on in areas less than 200
nautical miles from any shore that will subsequently operate beyond the Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) and more than 200 nm from any shore
o Vessels Carrying Ballast Water Engaged in Pacific Nearshore Voyages
o Vessels with any Ballast Water Tanks that are Empty or have Unpumpable
Residual Water
o Vessels Engaged in Pacific Nearshore Voyages with Unpumpable Ballast Water
and Residual Sediment (including NOBOBs)
� AFFF discharges may not occur in or within 1 nm of Waters Federally Protected Wholly
or in Part for Conservation unless:
o For emergency purposes;
o By rescue vessels such as fireboats for firefighting purposes; or
o By vessels owned or under contract to do business exclusively in or within 1 nm
of those protected areas by the United States government or state or local
governments.
� Boiler/economizer blowdown may not be discharged In Waters Federally Protected
Wholly or in Part for Conservation except for safety purposes.
� Firemain systems may not be discharged Waters Federally Protected Wholly or in Part
for Conservation except for safety purposes.
� Graywater may not be discharged Waters Federally Protected Wholly or in Part for
Conservation by vessels with the capacity to store graywater. Vessels which cannot store
graywater must minimize graywater production.
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