EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

c. National USGS NAS database for all newly documented, freshwater, shippingrelated
ANS invasions. http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/SpSearch.aspx
EPA and the Services acknowledge that new invasions observed from any of these
sources are not necessarily linked to discharges authorized by the VGPs. Nonetheless,
over a multi-permit lifespan, tracking invasions, and improving EPA’s methodologies
and understanding of the risk-release relationship, could provide a long-term perspective
about ballast water discharge standards, antifouling technologies, and other practices to
reduce invasions.
3) EPA will report to the Services once per year that they have reviewed this information
and whether notable new invasions have been recorded in the previous year that could
have been previously caused by vessel discharges. The Services note that they are
requesting a short review (approximately 1 hour per year) to ensure that EPA continues to
track aquatic bioinvasions. As discussed above, EPA and the Services agree that these
observations are being used to inform EPA’s general understanding of continued and
ongoing invasion rates
If needed, EPA will identify and implement, as appropriate, additional actions (e.g., require antifouling
coatings; require debris containment systems; require more stringent ballast water
standards) as soon as practicable (including in future permit iterations) to ensure the protection of
listed species.
AFCs and Debris Containment Technology
Before EPA transmits the next draft of the VGPs to OMB for interagency review:
1) EPA will compile information on new developments in AFCs (to minimize exposure to
hull-fouling ANS and copper loading) and debris containment systems (to minimize the
release of ANS and biocides during underwater husbandry).
2) EPA, with the technical assistance of the Services, will identify whether there are more
efficacious BMPs or technologies for underwater husbandry and for anti-fouling coatings
with fewer secondary environmental impacts that could be required of vessels.
Approach to the Assessment
Overview of NMFS’ Assessment Framework
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, requires federal agencies, in
consultation with and with the assistance of the Services, to insure that any action they authorize,
fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened
species, and is not likely to destroy or adversely modify critical habitat that has been designated
for these species (16 U.S.C. 1539). During consultations on specific actions, NMFS fulfills its
obligations using an assessment framework that begins by identifying the physical, chemical, or
biotic components of proposed actions that are likely to have individual, interactive, or
cumulative direct and indirect effect on the environment (we use the term “potential stressors”
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