§2603 Waste Handling Practices

Summary

Require owners and operators who handle city or business trash near the coast to stop that trash from getting into coastal waters. People who load trash onto boats must load it so losses are kept to a minimum. Boat owners must secure the trash with nets or other means so it won’t fall overboard. Places that receive the trash must offload it in a way that also minimizes losses. Anyone who owns a trash source or a receiving facility must have ways to clean up any trash that does get into coastal waters. The Administrator, working with the Secretary of Transportation, must write rules that make these steps happen. The rules must make sure sites, boats, and facilities have the tools and plans to prevent, report, and clean up spills and to keep records. If tracking systems are needed to enforce the rules, the Administrator can require them and they must be installed within 18 months after that decision.