The proposed regulation would prevent the discharge of untreated 

 sewage from vessels allowing discharges from a MSD only. This regulation 

 is consistent with current Coast Guard regulation. The Coast Guard 

 regulations prohibit the discharge of untreated wastes within the territorial 

 sea for public health reasons - the presence of swimmers and relatively 

 shallow water. Because the site of the proposed sanctuary is heavily 

 used for water contact activities such as swimming and diving and portions 

 have relatively shallow water depths, only the discharge from MSDs is 

 al lowed. 



Impacts of the regulation will be minor. Sanctuary users will have 

 to retain trash for disposal at proper facilities. Vessel operators 

 will have to utilize their MSD or holding tanks and will be unable to 

 empty the latter. 



The Environmental Protection Agency, Marine Activities Office 

 (responsible for developing the regulations), and the U.S. Coast Guard, 

 Office of Marine Environment and Systems, Branch Enforcement (responsible 

 for implementing the regulations), have informed NOAA that there are no 

 existing studies on the effects of MSD chemicals on corals. These agencies 

 believe that MSD discharges will not negatively impact the health of the 

 reef. If the sanctuary is designated, NOAA will monitor closely the effects 

 of the discharges. 



124 



