The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program has issued the 2014 Large Commercial Passenger Vessel Wastewater Discharge General Permit (Permit number: 2013DB0004). This general permit will satisfy the regulatory provisions of Alaska Statute (AS) 46.03.460 through AS 46.03.490 as amended in 2013 by House Bill 80.
This general permit will apply to the discharge of wastewater such as treated sewage, treated graywater, and other treated wastewater discharges from large commercial passenger vessels operating in marine waters of the state (AS 46.03.462). Large commercial vessels include passenger vessels for hire that provide overnight accommodations for 250 or more passengers, determined with reference to the number of lower berths. The General Permit, Fact Sheet and other information is available at the DEC’s web site at the following address: http://dec.alaska.gov/water/cruise_ships/gp/2014gp.html
A 45-day public comment period on the Draft General Permit began Tuesday, April 8, 2014. Changes were made to the Draft General Permit based on comments received. A response to comments summary will be posted on the webpage when it is available.