§1343 Ocean Discharge Criteria

Summary

No permit to dump waste into the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, or the oceans can be given after the government creates the required guidelines unless the permit follows those guidelines. Before those guidelines exist, a permit can be given only if the Administrator finds it is in the public interest. Also, required review steps for permits to the territorial sea cannot be skipped. The Administrator must, within 180 days after October 18, 1972, write and later update guidelines. The guidelines must cover seven kinds of effects, such as risks to human health and wildlife, harm to marine life and ecosystems, effects on recreation and the economy, how long impacts last, effects of different amounts and concentrations, other disposal or recycling options (including land-based), and effects on other ocean uses like mineral work and science. If there is not enough information to judge a proposed discharge under these rules, no permit may be issued.