A bill to amend the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to impose special fees on the ocean disposal of sewage sludge, and for other purposes.
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to prohibit any person from dumping sewage sludge into the ocean without having obtained from the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency a permit imposing a special disposal fee for each dry ton dumped. Requires permittees to: (1) deposit 75 percent of such fees in a trust account for subsequent use on projects to eliminate ocean dumping after 1992; (2) pay 15 percent of such fees to the Administrator for sludge disposal research, reporting, and permit activities; and (3) pay ten percent of such fees to the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating for use by the Coast Guard in enforcing sewage sludge ocean dumping laws.
Authorizes the Administrator to waive the fee requirement for permittees who have entered into a compliance agreement with the Administrator which phases out and terminates ocean dumping of sewage sludge by 1993 and sets forth a schedule for the implementation of an alternate sludge disposal system.
Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress at six-month intervals on land-based disposal options for sewage sludge and the progress made by permittees toward the cessation of ocean dumping of such sludge. Outlaws the ocean dumping of municipal sludge after 1992. Imposes a civil fine for each dry ton of sludge dumped in violation of this Act's requirements.
For Further Action See H.R.5430.