MPRSA Ocean Dumping Permit Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

MPRSA Ocean Dumping Permit Key Terms & Definitions

Benthic Communities: Assemblages of organisms that live on or in the seafloor, including invertebrates, microbes, and some vertebrates. These communities are often used as indicators of environmental health in the context of ocean dumping regulations.

Bioaccumulation: The gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism over time. This process is a major concern in the context of ocean dumping, as it can lead to the concentration of harmful substances in marine food webs.

Dredged Material: Material excavated from waters of the United States, typically for the purpose of maintaining or improving navigation channels, berths, and marinas. The MPRSA regulates the ocean dumping of dredged material.

Dumping Site: A precise geographical area where ocean dumping is permitted under the MPRSA. The selection and designation of dumping sites are based on ecological, economic, and other relevant criteria specified in the regulations (40 CFR § 228.5 and § 228.6).

Dump Site Characterization: The process of collecting and analyzing data on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of a proposed ocean dumping site. This information is used to evaluate the site's suitability for dumping and to assess potential environmental impacts (40 CFR § 228.6).

Environmental Impact Assessment: A detailed evaluation of the potential effects of proposed ocean dumping activities on the marine environment, including impacts on water quality, benthic communities, and fisheries resources (40 CFR § 227.4).

Fish Wastes: Wastes generated by fish processing operations, including viscera, carcasses, and other discarded materials. The MPRSA regulates the ocean dumping of fish wastes.

London Convention: The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, an international agreement that provides a framework for the global control and regulation of ocean dumping. The MPRSA implements the United States' obligations under the London Convention.

Marine Debris: Any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment. The MPRSA, as amended by the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act, addresses the issue of marine debris.

Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA): Also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, the MPRSA is the primary federal law governing the ocean dumping of materials. It prohibits the dumping of certain materials and requires permits for the ocean dumping of other materials (33 U.S.C. §§ 1401-1445).

Material Characterization: The process of determining the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the material proposed for ocean dumping. This information is used to evaluate the material's suitability for dumping and to assess potential environmental impacts (40 CFR § 227.6).

National Guidance: Guidelines developed by the EPA under the MPRSA Amendments of 2000 to assist in the issuance of ocean dumping permits. These guidelines aim to ensure a consistent and scientifically sound approach to permitting decisions.

Ocean Dumping: The deliberate disposal of waste materials into ocean waters, as regulated by the MPRSA. This term does not include the disposal of waste materials from land-based sources, such as sewage outfalls or industrial discharges.

Ocean Dumping Criteria: Regulatory criteria used to evaluate the environmental impact of proposed ocean dumping activities and to determine whether a permit should be issued (40 CFR Part 227). These criteria consider factors such as the need for dumping, the impact on human health and the environment, and the availability of alternatives.

Ocean Dumping Permit: A permit issued by the EPA under the MPRSA that authorizes the ocean dumping of specific materials at designated sites (40 CFR Part 221). The permit specifies the type and amount of material to be dumped, the location of the dumping site, and any necessary monitoring and reporting requirements.

Ocean Dumping Site Management Plan: A plan developed by the EPA that outlines the management and monitoring requirements for a designated ocean dumping site (40 CFR § 228.3). The plan aims to ensure that dumping activities at the site do not cause unacceptable adverse impacts on the marine environment.

Ocean Waters: In the context of the MPRSA, ocean waters refer to those waters of the open seas lying seaward of the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured, as provided for in the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone (33 U.S.C. § 1402(b)).

Permit Fee: A fee collected by the EPA to recover the costs associated with the issuance and administration of ocean dumping permits, as required by the MPRSA Amendments of 2000. The fee is based on the cost of the permitted activity and the duration of the permit.

Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic Chemicals (PBTs): Chemicals that are resistant to degradation, accumulate in biological organisms, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health or the environment. The MPRSA Amendments of 2000 prohibited the ocean dumping of certain PBTs.

Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW): A wastewater treatment facility owned by a state, municipality, or other public entity. The MPRSA regulates the ocean dumping of sewage sludge from POTWs.

Special Permit: A permit issued by the EPA under the MPRSA for the ocean dumping of materials other than dredged material (40 CFR § 220.3(c)). Special permits are subject to specific criteria and require a thorough evaluation of potential environmental impacts.

Toxic Waste: A waste material that poses a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed. The MPRSA prohibits the ocean dumping of certain toxic wastes and establishes limits for others (40 CFR § 227.6 and § 227.8).

Trace Contaminant: A constituent or pollutant that occurs in negligible amounts and is not considered to be a significant contributor to an ocean dumping impact (40 CFR § 227.6(b)). The MPRSA allows the ocean dumping of certain materials that contain only trace amounts of contaminants.

Vessel: In the context of the MPRSA, a vessel is any watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water (33 U.S.C. § 1402(f)). The MPRSA regulates the ocean dumping of vessels.

Waste Constituents: The individual components or substances that make up a waste material. The MPRSA establishes limits for specific waste constituents in materials that are permitted for ocean dumping (40 CFR § 227.7).

Water Quality Criteria: Standards developed by the EPA under the Clean Water Act that define the levels of pollutants or conditions that are considered safe for aquatic life and human health. The MPRSA requires that ocean dumping activities comply with applicable water quality criteria (40 CFR § 227.5).