E. Alternatives for Regulating Discharges 



1. Status quo : Rely on existing authorities to control discharges 

 in all boundary alternatives. 



Federal regulation of sewage wastes from marine sanitation 

 devices, effective January 31, 1980, does not extend beyond territorial 

 (State) waters. The disposal of dredge materials and toxic and hazardous 

 substances are regulated by the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Title II, 

 Ocean Dumping of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act; EPA 

 has the authority to develop criteria for dredge disposal and the disposal 

 of toxic and hazardous materials and for the selection of dump sites for 

 dredge disposal in ocean waters. Therefore, vessels are allowed to 

 discharge trash, litter, solid wastes, and sewage. 



This alternative would not prevent the discharge from vessels 

 of trash, litter, solid waste, or untreated sewage directly into the proposed 

 sanctuary. The status quo would rely on the authority of the CWA, Title II 

 and corresponding regulations. 



2. Prohibit the discharge of all substances in all boundary 

 alternatives. 



This regulation would prohibit any discharge within the sanc- 

 tuary. Discharge of litter, trash, solid waste and sewage from vessels 

 would be prohibited. A prohibition on the discharging of vessel cooling 

 waters would prevent motorized vessels from entering the sanctuary. 

 Prohibiting the discharge of fish parts and chumming materials would 

 inconvenience fishermen and curtail otherwise allowed fishing activities. 



3. Prohibit the discharge of substances except cooling waters 

 from vessels, fish or parts, chumming materials and discharges from 

 marine sanitat ion devices (MSP) within 5 sq nm (Boundary alternatives 



12 and 13). PREPEI^RED ALTERNATIVE . 



This alternative would prohibit littering and discharge of solid 

 waste from vessels. It would prohibit the discharge of raw, untreated sewage 

 into the sanctuary. However, it would allow fishermen to discharge fish or 

 parts and use chumming materials. By not restricting the discharge of cooling 

 waters, this alternative would allow the use of motorized vessels. 



The large number of people using Looe Key has lead to a 

 high incidence of litter and trash being discharged overboard. The 

 proposed regulation prohibiting discharging and littering will help maintain 

 the area's overall recreational and aesthetic appeal. It would help to 

 prevent floating or submerged waste debris such as plastic and metal 

 objects discarded from users at Looe Key. 



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