EPA establishes nation’s largest “no sewage zone” in California

EPA has proposed a rule under the Clean Water Act (CWA) that would establish the nation’s largest “no discharge zone” in the coastal waters off California. Under the rule, cruise ships and other 300-ton-plus ocean-going vessels would be prohibited from discharging sewage into marine waters along the full California coastline, covering an area of about 5,222 square miles. EPA estimates that the ban will prevent the discharge of about 20 million gallons of sewage annually. “California’s beautiful beaches attract millions of tourists every year, and we have fought hard to keep it that way,”?? said Linda Adams, California’s secretary for environmental protection. “Pollution from these ships is a direct threat to our natural resources and the local economies that depend on tourism dollars. I commend U.S. EPA for this significant step forward in ensuring that our coastline remains pristine.”