§1343 Ocean discharge criteria

Summary

No permit to dump into the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, or the oceans can be given unless it follows rules the Administrator must create. The Administrator must make those rules within 180 days after October 18, 1972 and update them as needed. Before the rules exist, a permit can be issued only if the Administrator decides it is in the public interest. The rules must cover things like harm to people and coastal areas (for example plankton, fish, wildlife, shorelines, and beaches), effects on marine life and food chains, impacts on recreation and the economy, how long harms last, how amounts and rates matter, other disposal or recycling options (including land-based), and effects on other ocean uses like mining and science. If there is not enough information to judge any of these points, no permit can be issued. Also, certain permit requirements for the territorial sea cannot be waived.