I
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4101
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 1, 2004
Mr. Farr (for himself, Mr. Shays, Mr. Stupak, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Stark, Mr. Allen, Mr. Pallone, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California, Mr. Honda, and Mrs. Capps) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
A BILL
To establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels into the waters of the United States, and for other purposes.
Short title; table of contents
This Act may be cited as the &short-title1;
.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the &short-title1;
.
Table of contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes
Sec. 3. Definitions
Sec. 4. Prohibitions and conditions regarding the discharge of sewage, graywater, or bilge water
Sec. 5. Effluent limits for discharges of sewage and graywater
Sec. 6. Inspection and sampling
Sec. 7. Employee protection
Sec. 8. Judicial review
Sec. 9. Enforcement
Sec. 10. Citizen suits
Sec. 11. Alaskan cruise vessels
Sec. 12. Ballast water
Sec. 13. Funding
Sec. 14. Effect on other law
Findings and purposes
Findings
Congress finds that—
cruise vessels carry millions of passengers each year, and in 2001 carried 8,400,000 passengers in North America;
cruise vessels carry passengers to and through the most beautiful ocean areas in the United States and provide many people in the United States ample opportunities to relax and learn about oceans and marine ecosystems;
ocean pollution threatens the beautiful and inspiring oceans and marine wildlife that many cruise vessels intend to present to travelers;
cruise vessels generate tremendous quantities of pollution, including—
sewage (including sewage sludge);
graywater from showers, sinks, laundries, baths, and galleys;
oily water;
toxic chemicals from photo processing, dry cleaning, and paints;
ballast water;
solid wastes; and
emissions of air pollutants;
some of the pollution generated by cruise ships, particularly sewage discharge, can lead to high levels of nutrients that are known to harm and kill coral reefs and which can increase the quantity of pathogens in the water and heighten the susceptibility of many coral species to scarring and disease;
laws (including regulations) in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act do not provide adequate controls, monitoring, or enforcement of certain discharges from cruise vessels into the waters of the United States; and
to protect coastal and ocean areas of the United States from pollution generated by cruise vessels, new Federal legislation is needed to reduce and better regulate discharges from cruise vessels, and to improve monitoring, reporting, and enforcement of discharges.
Purposes
The purposes of this Act are—
to prevent the discharge of any untreated sewage or graywater from a cruise vessel entering ports of the United States into the waters of the United States;
to prevent the discharge of any treated sewage, sewage sludge, graywater, or bilge water from cruise vessels entering ports of the United States into the territorial sea;
to establish new national effluent limits and management standards for the discharge of treated sewage or graywater from cruise vessels entering ports of the United States into the exclusive economic zone of the United States in any case in which the discharge is not within an area in which discharges are prohibited; and
to ensure that cruise vessels entering ports of the United States comply with all applicable environmental laws.
Definitions
In this Act:
Commandant
The term Commandant means the Commandant of the Coast Guard.
Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Territorial sea
In general
The term territorial sea means the belt of the sea measured from the baseline of the United States determined in accordance with international law, as set forth in Presidential Proclamation number 5928, dated December 27, 1988.
Inclusion
The term territorial sea includes the waters lying seaward of the line of ordinary low water and extending to the baseline of the United States described in subparagraph (A).
Exclusive economic zone
The term exclusive economic zone means the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States established by Presidential Proclamation number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.
Waters of the United States
The term waters of the United States means the waters of the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the Great Lakes.
Great Lake
The term Great Lake means—
Lake Erie;
Lake Huron (including Lake Saint Clair);
Lake Michigan;
Lake Ontario; and
Lake Superior.
Cruise vessel
In general
The term cruise vessel means a passenger vessel (as defined in section 2101(22) of title 46, United States Code), that—
is authorized to carry at least 250 passengers; and
has onboard sleeping facilities for each passenger.
Exclusions
The term cruise vessel does not include—
a vessel of the United States operated by the Federal Government; or
a vessel owned and operated by the government of a State.
Passenger
In general
The term passenger means any person on board a cruise vessel for the purpose of travel.
Inclusions
The term passenger includes—
a paying passenger; and
a staffperson, such as a crew member, captain, or officer.
Person
The term person means—
an individual;
a corporation;
a partnership;
a limited liability company;
an association;
a State;
a municipality;
a commission or political subdivision of a State; and
an Indian tribe.
Citizen
The term citizen means a person that has an interest that is or may be adversely affected by any provision of this Act.
Discharge
In general
The term discharge means a release of any substance, however caused, from a cruise vessel.
Inclusions
The term discharge includes any escape, disposal, spilling, leaking, pumping, emitting or emptying of any substance.
Sewage
The term sewage means—
human body wastes;
the wastes from toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain human body wastes; and
sewage sludge.
Graywater
The term graywater means galley, dishwasher, bath, and laundry waste water.
Bilge water
The term bilge water means wastewater that includes lubrication oils, transmission oils, oil sludge or slops, fuel or oil sludge, used oil, used fuel or fuel filters, or oily waste.
Sewage sludge
In general
The term sewage sludge means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid residue removed during the treatment of municipal waste water or domestic sewage.
Inclusions
The term sewage sludge includes—
solids removed during primary, secondary, or advanced waste water treatment;
scum;
septage;
portable toilet pumpings;
type III marine sanitation device pumpings (as defined in part 159 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations); and
sewage sludge products.
Exclusions
The term sewage sludge does not include—
grit or screenings; or
ash generated during the incineration of sewage sludge.
Indian tribe
The term Indian tribe has the meaning given in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
Prohibitions and conditions regarding the discharge of sewage, graywater, or bilge water
Prohibition
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2) and section 11, no cruise vessel entering a port of the United States may discharge sewage, graywater, or bilge water into the waters of the United States.
Exception
A cruise vessel described in paragraph (1) may discharge sewage, graywater, or bilge water into the exclusive economic zone but outside the territorial sea, or, in the case of the Great Lakes, beyond any point that is 12 miles from the shore, only if—
in the case of a discharge of sewage or graywater, the discharge meets all applicable effluent limits established under this Act and is in accordance with all other applicable laws (including regulations); or
in the case of a discharge of bilge water, the discharge is in accordance with all applicable laws (including regulations);
the cruise vessel meets all applicable management standards established under this Act; and
the cruise vessel is not discharging in an area in which the discharge is otherwise prohibited.
Safety exception
Scope of exception
Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case in which—
a discharge is made solely for the purpose of securing the safety of the cruise vessel or saving a human life at sea; and
all reasonable precautions have been taken for the purpose of preventing or minimizing the discharge.
Notification of Commandant
In general
If the owner, operator, or master, or other individual in charge, of a cruise vessel authorizes a discharge described in paragraph (1), the individual shall notify the Commandant of the decision to authorize the discharge as soon as practicable, but not later than 24 hours, after authorizing the discharge.
Report
Not later than 7 days after the date on which an individual described in subparagraph (A) notifies the Commandant of an authorization of a discharge under the safety exception under this paragraph, the individual shall submit to the Commandant a report that includes—
the quantity and composition of each discharge made under the safety exception;
the reason for authorizing each discharge;
the location of the vessel during the course of each discharge; and
such other supporting information and data as are requested by the Commandant.
Effluent limits for discharges of sewage and graywater
Effluent limits
In general
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant and the Administrator shall jointly promulgate effluent limits for sewage and graywater discharges from cruise vessels entering ports of the United States.
Requirements
The effluent limits shall—
require the application of the best available technology that will result in the greatest level of effluent reduction achievable, recognizing that the national goal is the elimination of the discharge of all pollutants in sewage and graywater by cruise vessels into the waters of the United States by 2015; and
require compliance with all relevant water quality criteria standards.
Minimum limits
The effluent limits under subsection (a) shall require, at a minimum, that treated sewage and graywater effluent discharges from cruise vessels shall, not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, meet the following standards:
In general
The discharge satisfies the minimum level of effluent quality specified in section 133.102 of title 40, Code of Regulations (or a successor regulation).
Fecal coliform
With respect to the samples from the discharge during any 30-day period—
the geometric mean of the samples shall not exceed 20 fecal coliform per 100 milliliters; and
not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed 40 fecal coliform per 100 milliliters.
Residual chlorine
Concentrations of total residual chlorine in samples shall not exceed 10 milligrams per liter.
Review and revision of effluent limits
The Commandant and the Administrator shall jointly—
review the effluent limits required by subsection (a) at least once every 3 years; and
revise the effluent limits as necessary to incorporate technology available at the time of the review in accordance with subsection (a)(2).
Inspection and sampling
Development and implementation of inspection program
In general
The Commandant, in consultation with the Administrator, shall promulgate regulations to implement an inspection, sampling, and testing program sufficient to verify that cruise vessels calling on ports of the United States are in compliance with—
this Act (including regulations promulgated under this Act);
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) (including regulations promulgated under that Act);
other applicable Federal laws and regulations; and
all applicable requirements of international agreements.
Inspections
The program shall require that—
regular announced and unannounced inspections be conducted of any relevant aspect of cruise vessel operations, equipment, or discharges, including sampling and testing of cruise vessel discharges; and
each cruise vessel that calls on a port of the United States shall be subject to an unannounced inspection at least annually.
Regulations
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant, in consultation with the Administrator, shall promulgate regulations that, at a minimum—
require the owner, operator, or master, or other individual in charge, of a cruise vessel to maintain and produce a logbook detailing the times, types, volumes, and flow rates, origins, and locations of any discharges from the cruise vessel;
provide for routine announced and unannounced inspections of—
cruise vessel environmental compliance records and procedures; and
the functionality and proper operation of installed equipment for abatement and control of any cruise vessel discharge (which equipment shall include equipment intended to treat sewage, graywater, or bilge water);
require the sampling and testing of cruise vessel discharges that require the owner, operator, or master, or other individual in charge, of a cruise vessel—
to conduct that sampling or testing; and
to produce any records of the sampling or testing;
require any owner, operator, or master, or other individual in charge, of a cruise vessel who has knowledge of a discharge from the cruise vessel in violation of this Act (including regulations promulgated under this Act) to immediately report that discharge to the Commandant (who shall provide notification of the discharge to the Administrator); and
require the owner, operator, or master, or other individual in charge, of a cruise vessel to provide to the Commandant and Administrator a blueprint of each cruise vessel that includes the location of every discharge pipe and valve.
Evidence of compliance
Vessel of the United States
In general
A cruise vessel registered in the United States to which this Act applies shall have a certificate of inspection issued by the Commandant.
Issuance of certificate
The Commandant may issue a certificate described in subparagraph (A) only after the cruise vessel has been examined and found to be in compliance with this Act, including prohibitions on discharges and requirements for effluent limits, as determined by the Commandant.
Validity of certificate
A certificate issued under this paragraph—
shall be valid for a period of not more than 5 years, beginning on the date of issuance of the certificate;
may be renewed as specified by the Commandant; and
shall be suspended or revoked if the Commandant determines that the cruise vessel for which the certificate was issued is not in compliance with the conditions under which the certificate was issued.
Special certificates
The Commandant may issue special certificates to certain vessels that exhibit compliance with this Act and other best practices, as determined by the Commandant.
Foreign vessel
In general
A cruise vessel registered in a country other than the United States to which this Act applies may operate in the waters of the United States, or visit a port or place under the jurisdiction of the United States, only if the cruise vessel has been issued a certificate of compliance by the Commandant.
Issuance of certificate
The Commandant may issue a certificate described in subparagraph (A) to a cruise vessel only after the cruise vessel has been examined and found to be in compliance with this Act, including prohibitions on discharges and requirements for effluent limits, as determined by the Commandant.
Acceptance of foreign documentation
The Commandant may consider a certificate, endorsement, or document issued by the government of a foreign country under a treaty, convention, or other international agreement to which the United States is a party, in issuing a certificate of compliance under this paragraph (except that such a certificate, endorsement, or document shall not serve as a proxy for certification of compliance with this Act).
Validity of certificate
A certificate issued under this section—
shall be valid for a period of not more than 24 months, beginning on the date of issuance of the certificate;
may be renewed as specified by the Commandant; and
shall be suspended or revoked if the Commandant determines that the cruise vessel for which the certificate was issued is not in compliance with the conditions under which the certificate was issued.
Cruise observer pilot program
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall establish, and for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2007, shall carry out, a program for the placement of 2 or more independent observers on cruise vessels for the purpose of monitoring and inspecting cruise vessel operations, equipment, and discharges to ensure compliance with—
this Act (including regulations promulgated under this Act); and
all other relevant Federal laws (including regulations) and international agreements.
Responsibilities
An observer described in paragraph (1) shall—
observe and inspect—
onboard environmental treatment systems;
use of shore-based treatment and storage facilities;
discharges and discharge practices; and
blueprints, logbooks, and other relevant information;
have the authority to interview and otherwise query any crew member with knowledge of vessel operations;
have access to all data and information made available to government officials under this section; and
immediately report any known or suspected violation of this Act or any other applicable Federal law or international agreement to—
the Coast Guard; and
the Environmental Protection Agency.
Report
Not later than January 31, 2007, the Commandant shall submit to Congress a report describing the results, and recommendations for continuance, of the program under this subsection.
Onboard monitoring system pilot program
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in consultation with the Administrator and the Commandant, shall establish, and for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010, shall carry out, with industry partners as necessary, a pilot program to develop and promote commercialization of technologies to provide real-time data to Federal agencies regarding—
graywater and sewage discharges from cruise vessels; and
functioning of cruise vessel components relating to pollution control.
Technology requirements
Technologies developed under the program under this subsection—
shall have the ability to record—
the location and time of discharges from cruise vessels;
the source, content, and volume of those discharges; and
the state of components relating to pollution control at the time of the discharges, including whether the components are operating correctly; and
shall be tested on not less than 10 percent of all cruise vessels operating in the territorial sea of the United States, including large and small vessels.
Participation of industry
Competitive selection process
Industry partners willing to participate in the program may do so through a competitive selection process conducted by the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Contribution
A selected industry partner shall contribute not less than 20 percent of the cost of the project in which the industry partner participates.
Report
Not later than January 31, 2007, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall submit to Congress a report describing the results, and recommendations for continuance, of the program under this subsection.
Employee protection
Prohibition of discrimination against persons filing, instituting, or testifying in proceedings under this Act
No person shall terminate the employment of, or in any other way discriminate against (or cause the termination of employment of or discrimination against), any employee or any authorized representative of employees by reason of the fact that the employee or representative—
has filed, instituted, or caused to be filed or instituted any proceeding under this Act; or
has testified or is about to testify in any proceeding resulting from the administration or enforcement of the provisions of this Act.
Application for review; investigation; hearings; review
In general
An employee or a representative of employees who believes that the termination of the employment of the employee has occurred, or that the employee has been discriminated against, as a result of the actions of any person in violation of subsection (a) may, not later than 30 days after the date on which the alleged violation occurred, apply to the Secretary of Labor for a review of the alleged termination of employment or discrimination.
Application
A copy of an application for review filed under paragraph (1) shall be sent to the respondent.
Investigation
In general
On receipt of an application for review under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall carry out an investigation of the complaint.
Requirements
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary of Labor shall—
provide an opportunity for a public hearing at the request of any party to the review to enable the parties to present information relating to the alleged violation;
ensure that, at least 5 days before the date of the hearing, each party to the hearing is provided written notice of the time and place of the hearing; and
ensure that the hearing is on the record and subject to section 554 of title 5, United States Code.
Findings of Commandant
On completion of an investigation under this paragraph, the Secretary of Labor shall—
make findings of fact;
if the Secretary of Labor determines that a violation did occur, issue a decision, incorporating an order and the findings, requiring the person that committed the violation to take such action as is necessary to abate the violation, including the rehiring or reinstatement, with compensation, of an employee or representative of employees to the former position of the employee or representative; and
if the Secretary of Labor determines that there was no violation, issue an order denying the application.
Order
An order issued by the Secretary of Labor under subparagraph (C) shall be subject to judicial review in the same manner as orders and decisions of the Administrator are subject to judicial review under this Act.
Costs and expenses
In any case in which an order is issued under this section to abate a violation, at the request of the applicant, a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees), as determined by the Secretary of Labor, to have been reasonably incurred by the applicant for, or in connection with, the institution and prosecution of the proceedings, shall be assessed against the person committing the violation.
Deliberate violations by employee acting without direction from employer or agent
This section shall not apply to any employee that, without direction from the employer of the employee (or agent of the employer), deliberately violates any provision of this Act.
Judicial review
Review of actions by Administrator or Commandant; selection of court; fees
Review of actions
In general
Any interested person may petition for a review, in the United States circuit court for the circuit in which the person resides or transacts business directly affected by the action of which review is requested—
of an action of the Commandant in promulgating any effluent limit under section 5; or
of an action of the Commandant in carrying out an inspection, sampling, or testing under section 6.
Deadline for review
A petition for review under subparagraph (A) shall be made—
not later than 120 days after the date of promulgation of the limit or standard relating to the review sought; or
if the petition for review is based solely on grounds that arose after the date described in clause (i), as soon as practicable after that date.
Civil and criminal enforcement proceedings
An action of the Commandant or Administrator with respect to which review could have been obtained under paragraph (1) shall not be subject to judicial review in any civil or criminal proceeding for enforcement.
Award of fees
In any judicial proceeding under this subsection, a court may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any prevailing or substantially prevailing party in any case in which the court determines such an award to be appropriate.
Additional evidence
In general
In any judicial proceeding instituted under subsection (a) in which review is sought of a determination under this Act required to be made on the record after notice and opportunity for hearing, if any party applies to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence, and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the court that the additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to adduce the evidence in the proceeding before the Commandant or Administrator, the court may order the additional evidence (and evidence in rebuttal of the additional evidence) to be taken before the Commandant or Administrator, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as the court determines to be appropriate.
Modification of findings
On admission of additional evidence under paragraph (1), the Commandant or Administrator—
may modify findings of fact of the Commandant or Administrator, as the case may be, relating to a judicial proceeding, or make new findings of fact, by reason of the additional evidence so admitted; and
shall file with the return of the additional evidence any modified or new findings, and any related recommendations, for the modification or setting aside of any original determinations of the Commandant or Administrator.
Enforcement
In general
Any person that violates section 4 or any regulation promulgated under this Act may be—
assessed a class I or class II penalty described in subsection (b); or
assessed a civil penalty in a civil action under subsection (c).
Amount of administrative penalty
Class i
The amount of a class I civil penalty under subsection (a)(1) shall not exceed—
$10,000 per violation; or
$25,000 in the aggregate, in the case of multiple violations.
Class ii
The amount of a class II civil penalty under subsection (a)(1) shall not exceed—
$10,000 per day for each day during which the violation continues; or
$125,000 in the aggregate, in the case of multiple violations.
Separate violations
Each day on which a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.
Determination of amount
In determining the amount of a civil penalty under subsection (a)(1), the Commandant or the court, as the case may be, shall consider—
the seriousness of the violation;
any economic benefit resulting from the violation;
any history of violations;
any good-faith efforts to comply with the applicable requirements;
the economic impact of the penalty on the violator; and
such other matters as justice may require.
Procedure for class i penalty
In general
Before assessing a civil penalty under this subsection, the Commandant shall provide to the person to be assessed the penalty—
written notice of the proposal of the Commandant to assess the penalty; and
the opportunity to request, not later than 30 days after the date on which the notice is received by the person, a hearing on the proposed penalty.
Hearing
A hearing described in subparagraph (A)(ii)—
shall not be subject to section 554 or 556 of title 5, United States Code; but
shall provide a reasonable opportunity to be heard and to present evidence.
Procedure for class ii penalty
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a class II civil penalty shall be assessed and collected in the same manner, and subject to the same provisions, as in the case of civil penalties assessed and collected after notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record in accordance with section 554 of title 5, United States Code.
Rules
The Commandant may promulgate rules for discovery procedures for hearings under this subsection.
Rights of interested persons
Public notice
Before issuing an order assessing a class II civil penalty under this subsection, the Commandant shall provide public notice of and reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed issuance of each order.
Presentation of evidence
In general
Any person that comments on a proposed assessment of a class II civil penalty under this subsection shall be given notice of—
any hearing held under this subsection; and
any order assessing the penalty.
Hearing
In any hearing described in clause (i)(I), a person described in clause (i) shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard and to present evidence.
Rights of interested persons to a hearing
In general
If no hearing is held under subparagraph (B) before the date of issuance of an order assessing a class II civil penalty under this subsection, any person that commented on the proposed assessment may, not later than 30 days after the date of issuance of the order, petition the Commandant—
to set aside the order; and
to provide a hearing on the penalty.
New evidence
If any evidence presented by a petitioner in support of the petition under clause (i) is material and was not considered in the issuance of the order, as determined by the Commandant, the Commandant shall immediately—
set aside the order; and
provide a hearing in accordance with subparagraph (B)(ii).
Denial of hearing
If the Commandant denies a hearing under this subparagraph, the Commandant shall provide to the petitioner, and publish in the Federal Register, notice of and the reasons for the denial.
Finality of order
In general
An order assessing a class II civil penalty under this subsection shall become final on the date that is 30 days after the date of issuance of the order unless, before that date—
a petition for judicial review is filed under paragraph (10); or
a hearing is requested under paragraph (7)(C).
Denial of hearing
If a hearing is requested under paragraph (7)(C) and subsequently denied, an order assessing a class II civil penalty under this subsection shall become final on the date that is 30 days after the date of the denial.
Effect of action on compliance
No action by the Commandant under this subsection shall affect the obligation of any person to comply with any provision of this Act.
Judicial review
In general
Any person against which a civil penalty is assessed under this subsection, or that commented on the proposed assessment of such a penalty in accordance with paragraph (7), may obtain review of the assessment in a court described in subparagraph (B) by—
filing a notice of appeal with the court within the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the civil penalty order is issued; and
simultaneously sending a copy of the notice by certified mail to the Commandant and the Attorney General.
Courts of jurisdiction
Review of an assessment under subparagraph (A) may be obtained by a person—
in the case of assessment of a class I civil penalty, in—
the United States District Court for the District of Columbia; or
the United States district court for the district in which the violation occurred; or
in the case of assessment of a class II civil penalty, in—
the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; or
the United States circuit court for any other circuit in which the person resides or transacts business.
Copy of record
On receipt of notice under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Commandant, shall promptly file with the appropriate court a certified copy of the record on which the order assessing a civil penalty that is the subject of the review was issued.
Substantial evidence
A court with jurisdiction over a review under this paragraph—
shall not set aside or remand an order described in subparagraph (C) unless—
there is not substantial evidence in the record, taken as a whole, to support the finding of a violation; or
the assessment by the Commandant of the civil penalty constitutes an abuse of discretion; and
shall not impose additional civil penalties for the same violation unless the assessment by the Commandant of the civil penalty constitutes an abuse of discretion.
Collection
In general
If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after the assessment has become final, or after a court in a proceeding under paragraph (10) has entered a final judgment in favor of the Commandant, the Commandant shall request the Attorney General to bring a civil action in an appropriate district court to recover—
the amount assessed; and
interest that has accrued on the amount assessed, as calculated at currently prevailing rates beginning on the date of the final order or the date of the final judgment, as the case may be.
Nonreviewability
In an action to recover an assessed civil penalty under subparagraph (A), the validity, amount, and appropriateness of the civil penalty shall not be subject to judicial review.
Failure to pay penalty
Any person that fails to pay, on a timely basis, the amount of an assessment of a civil penalty under subparagraph (A) shall be required to pay, in addition to the amount of the civil penalty and accrued interest—
attorney’s fees and other costs for collection proceedings; and
for each quarter during which the failure to pay persists, a quarterly nonpayment penalty in an amount equal to 20 percent of the aggregate amount of the assessed civil penalties and nonpayment penalties of the person that are unpaid as of the beginning of the quarter.
Subpoenas
In general
The Commandant may issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, or documents in connection with hearings under this subsection.
Refusal to obey
In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena issued under this paragraph and served on any person—
the United States district court for any district in which the person is found, resides, or transacts business, on application by the United States and after notice to the person, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring the person to appear and give testimony before the Commandant or to appear and produce documents before the Commandant; and
any failure to obey such an order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of the court.
Civil action
The Commandant may commence, in the United States district court for the district in which the defendant is located, resides, or transacts business, a civil action to impose a civil penalty under this subsection in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each day of violation.
Criminal penalties
Negligent violations
A person that negligently violates section 4 or any regulation promulgated under this Act commits a Class A misdemeanor.
Knowing violations
Any person that knowingly violates section 4 or any regulation promulgated under this Act commits a Class D felony.
False statements
Any person that knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any record, report, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this Act or any regulation promulgated under this Act, or that falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any testing or monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this Act or any regulation promulgated under this Act, commits a Class D felony.
Rewards
Payments to individuals
In general
The Commandant or the court, as the case may be, may order payment, from a civil penalty or criminal fine collected under this section, of an amount not to exceed 1/2 of the civil penalty or fine, to any individual who furnishes information that leads to the payment of the civil penalty or criminal fine.
Multiple individuals
If 2 or more individuals provide information described in subparagraph (A), the amount available for payment as a reward shall be divided equitably among the individuals.
Ineligible individuals
No officer or employee of the United States, a State, or an Indian tribe who furnishes information or renders service in the performance of the official duties of the officer or employee shall be eligible for a reward payment under this subsection.
Payments to States or Indian tribes
The Commandant or the court, as the case may be, may order payment, from a civil penalty or criminal fine collected under this section, to a State or Indian tribe providing information or investigative assistance that leads to payment of the penalty or fine, of an amount that reflects the level of information or investigative assistance provided.
Payments divided among States, Indian tribes, and individuals
In a case in which a State or Indian tribe and an individual under paragraph (1) are eligible to receive a reward payment under this subsection, the Commandant or the court shall divide the amount available for the reward equitably among those recipients.
Liability in rem
A cruise vessel operated in violation of this Act or any regulation promulgated under this Act—
shall be liable in rem for any civil penalty or criminal fine imposed under this section; and
may be subject to a proceeding instituted in the United States district court for any district in which the cruise vessel may be found.
Compliance orders
In general
If the Commandant determines that any person is in violation of section 4 or any regulation promulgated under this Act, the Commandant shall—
issue an order requiring the person to comply with the section or requirement; or
bring a civil action in accordance with subsection (b).
Copies of order, service
Corporate orders
In any case in which an order under this subsection is issued to a corporation, a copy of the order shall be served on any appropriate corporate officer.
Method of service; specifications
An order issued under this subsection shall—
be by personal service;
state with reasonable specificity the nature of the violation for which the order was issued; and
specify a deadline for compliance that is not later than—
30 days after the date of issuance of the order, in the case of a violation of an interim compliance schedule or operation and maintenance requirement; and
such date as the Commandant, taking into account the seriousness of the violation and any good faith efforts to comply with applicable requirements, determines to be reasonable, in the case of a violation of a final deadline.
Civil actions
In general
The Commandant may commence a civil action for appropriate relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, for any violation for which the Commandant is authorized to issue a compliance order under this subsection.
Court of jurisdiction
In general
A civil action under this subsection may be brought in the United States district court for the district in which the defendant is located, resides, or is doing business.
Jurisdiction
A court described in subparagraph (A) shall have jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief to address a violation, and require compliance, by the defendant.
Citizen suits
Authorization
Except as provided in subsection (c), any citizen may commence a civil action on his or her own behalf—
against any person (including the United States and any other governmental instrumentality or agency to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment of the Constitution) that is alleged to be in violation of—
the conditions imposed by section 4;
an effluent limit or management standard under this Act; or
an order issued by the Administrator or Commandant with respect to such a condition, effluent limit, or performance standard; or
against the Administrator or Commandant, in a case in which there is alleged a failure by the Administrator or Commandant to perform any nondiscretionary act or duty under this Act.
Jurisdiction
The United States district courts shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties—
to enforce a condition, effluent limit, performance standard, or order described in subsection (a)(1);
to order the Administrator or Commandant to perform a nondiscretionary act or duty described in subsection (a)(2); and
to apply any appropriate civil penalties under section 9(b).
Notice
No action may be commenced under this section—
before the date that is 60 days after the date on which the plaintiff gives notice of the alleged violation—
to the Administrator or Commandant; and
to any alleged violator of the condition, limit, standard, or order; or
if the Administrator or Commandant has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil or criminal action on the same matter in a court of the United States (but in any such action, a citizen may intervene as a matter of right).
Venue
In general
Any civil action under this section shall be brought in—
the United States District Court for the District of Columbia; or
any other United States district court for any judicial district in which a cruise vessel or the owner or operator of a cruise vessel are located.
Intervention
In a civil action under this section, the Administrator or the Commandant, if not a party, may intervene as a matter of right.
Procedures
Service
In any case in which a civil action is brought under this section in a court of the United States, the plaintiff shall serve a copy of the complaint on—
the Attorney General;
the Administrator; and
the Commandant.
Consent judgments
No consent judgment shall be entered in a civil action under this section to which the United States is not a party before the date that is 45 days after the date of receipt of a copy of the proposed consent judgment by—
the Attorney General;
the Administrator; and
the Commandant.
Litigation costs
In general
A court of jurisdiction, in issuing any final order in any civil action brought in accordance with this section, may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney’s and expert witness fees) to any prevailing or substantially prevailing party, in any case in which the court determines that such an award is appropriate.
Security
In any civil action under this section, the court of jurisdiction may, if a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is sought, require the filing of a bond or equivalent security in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Statutory or common law rights not restricted
Nothing in this section restricts the rights of any person (or class of persons) under any statute or common law to seek enforcement or other relief (including relief against the Administrator or Commandant).
Civil action by State governors
A Governor of a State may commence a civil action under subsection (a) of this section, without regard to the limitation under subsection (c), against the Administrator or Commandant in any case in which there is alleged a failure of the Administrator or Commandant to enforce an effluent limit or performance standard under this Act, the violation of which is causing—
an adverse effect on the public health or welfare in the State; or
a violation of any water quality requirement in the State.
Alaskan cruise vessels
Definition of Alaskan cruise vessel
In this section, the term Alaskan cruise vessel means a cruise vessel—
that seasonally operates in water of or surrounding the State of Alaska;
in which is installed, not later than the date of enactment of this Act (or, at the option of the Commandant, not later than September 30 of the fiscal year in which this Act is enacted), and certified by the State of Alaska for continuous discharge and operation in accordance with all applicable Federal and State law (including regulations), an advanced treatment system for the treatment and discharge of graywater and sewage; and
that enters a port of the United States.
Applicability
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), an Alaskan cruise vessel shall not be subject to this Act (including regulations promulgated under this Act) until the date that is 15 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
Exceptions
An Alaskan cruise vessel—
shall not be subject to the minimum effluent limits prescribed under section 5(b) until the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act;
shall not be subject to effluent limits promulgated under section 5(a) or 5(c) until the date that is 6 years after the date of enactment of this Act; and
shall be prohibited from discharging sewage, graywater, and bilge water in the territorial sea, in accordance with this Act, as of the date of enactment of this Act.
Ballast water
It is the sense of Congress that action should be taken to enact legislation requiring strong, mandatory standards for ballast water to reduce the threat of aquatic invasive species.
Funding
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commandant and the Administrator such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009.
Cruise Vessel Pollution Control Fund
Establishment
There is established in the general fund of the Treasury a separate account to be known as the Cruise Vessel Pollution Control Fund
(referred to in this section as the Fund
).
Appropriation of amounts
There are appropriated to the Fund such amounts as are deposited in the Fund under subsection (c)(5).
Use of amounts in Fund
The Administrator and the Commandant may use amounts in the fund, without further appropriation, to carry out this Act.
Fees on cruise vessels
In general
The Commandant shall establish and collect from each cruise vessel a reasonable and appropriate fee, in an amount not to exceed $10 for each paying passenger on a cruise vessel voyage, for use in carrying out this Act.
Adjustment of fee
In general
The Commandant shall biennially adjust the amount of the fee established under paragraph (1) to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor during each 2-year period.
Rounding
The Commandant may round the adjustment in subparagraph (A) to the nearest 1/10 of a dollar.
Factors in establishing fees
In general
In establishing fees under paragraph (1), the Commandant may establish lower levels of fees and the maximum amount of fees for certain classes of cruise vessels based on—
size;
economic share; and
such other factors as are determined to be appropriate by the Commandant and Administrator.
Fee schedules
Any fee schedule established under paragraph (1), including the level of fees and the maximum amount of fees, shall take into account—
cruise vessel routes;
the frequency of stops at ports of call by cruise vessels; and
other relevant considerations.
Collection of fees
A fee established under paragraph (1) shall be collected by the Commandant from the owner or operator of each cruise vessel to which this Act applies.
Deposits to Fund
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all fees collected under this subsection, and all penalties and payments collected for violations of this Act, shall be deposited into the Fund.
Effect on other law
United States
Nothing in this Act restricts, affects, or amends any other law or the authority of any department, instrumentality, or agency of the United States.
States and interstate agencies
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in this Act precludes or denies the right of any State (including a political subdivision of a State) or interstate agency to adopt or enforce—
any standard or limit relating to the discharge of pollutants by cruise ships; or
any requirement relating to the control or abatement of pollution.
Exception
If an effluent limit, performance standard, water quality standard, or any other prohibition or limitation is in effect under Federal law, a State (including a political subdivision of a State ) or interstate agency described in paragraph (1) may not adopt or enforce any effluent limit, performance standard, water quality standard, or any other prohibition that—
is less stringent than the effluent limit, performance standard, water quality standard, or other prohibition or limitation under this Act; or
impairs or in any manner affects any right or jurisdiction of the State with respect to the waters of the State.