What is a VGP?
The VGP is a National Pollutant Release System (NPDES) Permit that authorizes, on a national basis, incidental discharges to the normal operation of non-military and non-recreational vessels of 79 feet in length and over.
What is VGP compliance?
The VGP is a permit issued by EPA in 2008 and reissued in 2013 under the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) that provided authority, on a nationwide basis, for discharges incidental to the normal operation of non-military and non-recreational vessels.
Where is VGP applicable?
The VGP applies to discharges incidental to the normal operation of all non-recreational vessels of 79 feet or greater in length. In addition, the ballast water discharge provisions also apply to any non-recreational vessel of less than 79 feet or commercial fishing vessel of any size discharging ballast water.
What is VGP NOI?
Discharge Authorization Notice of Intent (NOI) – Vessels of 300 gross tons or more or that have the ability to hold or discharge more than eight cubic meters of ballast water must submit an NOI to obtain permit coverage. The NOI must be submitted electronically using EPA’s 2013 VGP eNOI system.
What is EPA VGP?
USA EPA requires vessels entering a 3-mile zone into every US land to fully comply with the VGP program. Scope of this plan is to provide guidance on compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Ships.
What need to be done by the owner to be covered by VGP?
Obtaining the VGP To be covered under the VGP, vessel owners must file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the EPA for each vessel that will be operating in U.S. territorial waters.
Is garbage covered under VGP?
The permit makes clear that certain discharges are covered under other regulations and, thus, not incorporated into the VGP (i.e., sewage, garbage, discharges of medical waste, etc.). The VGP also includes requirements for corrective actions, recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
Can VGP required records be kept electronically?
Also, records may be kept electronically. If any of the effluent discharge limits in the VGP are violated, corrective action must be taken. This includes an assessment investigating the nature, cause, and potential options for eliminating the problems.
What needs to be done by the owner to be covered by VGP?
How many streams are monitored under VGP?
26 vessel discharge streams
The final VGP addresses 26 vessel discharge streams, including deck washdown and runoff, above the water line hull cleaning, bilge water and discharges from Oily Water Separators, ballast water, leachate from anti-fouling hull coatings, blowdown from boilers and economizers, firemain systems and graywater.
When did the EPA issue the VGP 2013?
The EPA issued the 2013 VGP on April 12, 2013 with an effective period of December 19, 2013 to December 18, 2018 (i.e., five years). The VGP provided NPDES permit coverage nationwide for discharges incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length.
What is Appendix H of the 2013 VGP annual report?
Final 2013 VGP Appendix H – Annual Report United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA Washington, DC 20460 Form Approved OMB No. One Time Report for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation 2040-0004 Of a Vessel under the NPDES Vessel General Permit
When does the final 2013 VGP permit expire?
This permit becomes effective on December 19, 2013. This permit and the authorization to discharge expire at midnight December 19, 2018. Page 1of 194 Final 2013 VGP Signed and issued this 28th day of March, 2013 Ira W. Leighton, Deputy Regional Administrator EPA Region 1
Is there high quality data available for final 2013 VGP?
Final 2013 VGP high quality data are available. For vessels with high quality data, if sampling results are below permit limits for two consecutive events, the vessel owner/operator may reduce monitoring to one time per year after the first year.