View Rule

Development of National Performance Standards for Marine Pollution Control Devices for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Commercial Vessels. On December 4, 2018, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) was signed into law establishing a new framework for the regulation of discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels. VIDA is part of title IX of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2018, which addresses several maritime and environmental policies. Under VIDA, the EPA is responsible for developing national performance standards for discharges from primarily commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, and for ballast water from small vessels less than 79 feet and fishing vessels. The final rule is intended to implement the EPA statutory requirements under VIDA.