KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Both the Kodiak City Council and Borough Assembly are working to extend an Environmental Protection Agency exemption for vessel discharge. As part of the Clean Water Act, the EPA regulates vessel discharge permits for certain vessels, to make sure they are monitoring what water is being put back into the ocean. Commercial fishing and charter vessels have long been exempt from the permit and monitoring process, but that exemption is set to expire December 19.
Local government officials are working with U.S. Senator Mark Begich to enact legislation to extend that exemption, or even make it permanent.
During Monday’s city council work session, Councilman Terry Haines said it is a common sense move for fishing vessels, who would have to monitor stuff like dishwater and other things that have little to no environmental impact for the levels they are being discharged.
“But fishing vessels are being kind of grouped up with vessels that have larger and potentially more harmful discharge and it’s been something that’s sort of been extended along this moratorium for specific vessels of these EPA. And it would be nice if they could make it permanent.”
For vessels under 79-feet, which are currently exempt, Haines said the permits and monitoring would be difficult to comply with, and really shouldn’t be asked of the owners and operators.
On Monday the council unanimously agreed that a letter on behalf of the city should be sent to D.C. legislators to help move the permanent exemption process along.
The same letter will be before the Borough Assembly during its work session on Thursday, but Assemblywoman Chris Lynch said she’s worried that Congress might not approve an exemption before December 19. If it doesn’t, vessel owners would have to start going through the rather laborious monitoring process.
“So as long as your out there fishing, not only do you have to fish, but you have to measure how much water is going off your deck. That’s really bad.”
If they don’t comply, Lynch said vessel owners could be liable for $32,000 fines per day.
