How to Become Authorized Under the VGP
Note: The Vessels Electronic Notice of Intent (eNOI) system will be available in late Spring 2009. No vessel owner/operator is required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) until June 19, 2009. Additional information regarding submittal of NOIs will be available on this website prior to June 19, 2009. The requirements for which vessels are required to submit an NOI are explained below. Click here for the requirements for when a vessel needs to submit an NOI.
Vessels Not Required to Submit an NOI
Vessels that are less than 300 gross tons, and do not have the capacity to hold or discharge more than 8 cubic meters (2113 gallons) of ballast water are not required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to receive permit coverage.
Vessels Required to Submit an NOI
Vessels of 300 gross tons or more or have the ability to hold or discharge more than 8 cubic meters of ballast must submit an NOI in order to receive permit coverage. Deadlines for submission of an NOI are stated in the table on the Vessels eNOI page.
You will be able to search, sort, and view all Vessel NOIs that are received by EPA.
Terminating Authorization Under the VGP
Information regarding how to terminate coverage under the VGP will be available on this website in late Spring 2009 as well as on the Vessels eNOI page.
Monitoring and Reporting
NPDES Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Form (PDF) (2 pp, 191K) - Use this form to submit analytical monitoring results to EPA if you are required to conduct analytical monitoring (e.g. certain cruise ships).
Reporting Noncompliance
You must report all instances of noncompliance with the permit requirements at least once per year to the appropriate EPA Regional Office. Vessel operators must report the noncompliance to the regional office responsible for the waters in which the noncompliance occurred. If vessels have multiple occurrences of noncompliance, they must report all noncompliance to the regional office where either: 1) the greatest number of noncompliance events occurred, or 2) if the same number of noncompliance events occurred, to the regional office responsible for waters where the vessel spent the most time.
You must report any noncompliance which may endanger health or the environment to the appropriate EPA Regional Office within 24 hours of becoming aware of the circumstances.
One-Time Permit Report
For each vessel, owner/operators are required to submit a one-time report between 30 months and 36 months after obtaining permit coverage. This website will be updated with additional information pertaining to the One-Time Report.
Supporting Documentation
Additional supporting materials can be found at www.regulations.gov under docket number
EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0055.
Lists of Nutrient and Copper Impaired Waters
The list of state waters that are impaired for copper and nutrients is based on current information that EPA has about each state's 303(d) list; however, this list may not necessarily reflect more recent state and/or EPA activity on those 303(d) lists. EPA may update this list annually for use with the VGP.
Additional Resources
Public Presentations on the Proposed VGP
On October 7, 2008, EPA provided an informal lunch-time presentation (PDF) (18 pp, 363K) at the 58th meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee regarding Clean Water Act permitting and discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels. This information is based on the proposal not the final permit and should be used for informational purposes only.
Public Meetings, Webcast, and Hearing on the Proposed VGP
EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard held three public meetings, a webcast, and a public hearing to discuss the proposed permits and solicit public input. This information is based on the proposal not the final permit and should be used for informational purposes only. Click here to view the webcast archive.
Recordings of the public meetings and transcripts from statements during the public hearing are available at www.regulations.gov under docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0055 (VGP). Links to the presentations given on June 19, 24, 26, and July 21, 2008 are provided below:
For questions or additional information, please contact commercialvesselpermit@epa.gov.