AK HB51

Owners or operators of commercial passenger vessels must obtain a permit under AS 46.03.100 or submit an approved alternative plan to discharge treated sewage, graywater, or wastewater into Alaska marine waters.

Small commercial passenger vessels may submit plans for alternative discharge terms and conditions, which the department shall approve for five-year periods if they incorporate best management practices to protect the environment to the maximum extent feasible.

Department may exempt small commercial passenger vessel operators with approved alternative discharge plans from standard sampling, testing, and record-keeping requirements under AS 46.03.465(a)-(d).

Vessels employing advanced wastewater treatment systems or comparable pollution prevention methods may be authorized for mixing zones and are deemed to satisfy state technology-based treatment requirements.

Department may not require vessel owners to retrofit vessels solely for waste treatment purposes if retrofitting requires additional stability testing or relicensing by the United States Coast Guard; act is retroactive to January 1, 2016 and takes effect immediately.