September 11, 2014 โ The following was released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced issuance of the final Small Vessel General Permit (sVGP) in todayโs Federal Register. The sVGP, available nationwide, provides a way for owners and operators of non-military, non-recreational vessels less than 79 feet in length and operating as a means of transportation to meet the Clean Water Act requirement to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage for incidental discharges.
Small vessel discharges are eligible for sVGP coverage beginning Dec. 19, 2014, i.e., the date on which the statutory moratorium on NPDES permitting expires. The sVGP is designed to be an easily implementable permit with common-sense best management practices that reduce pollution.
Larger vessels are not eligible for coverage under the sVGP; those vessels have generally been eligible for coverage under the Vessel General Permit (VGP) since 2008.
EPA will be hosting a free webinar about the sVGP on September 23, 2014. For more information about the webinar and to register, go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/772164202.
For a more information about the sVGP, go to http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/vessels/Small-Vessel-General-Permit.cfm. Please send any questions to VGP@EPA.gov.