[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 45 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCING THE CLEAN CRUISE SHIP ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 1, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, many Americans enjoy taking cruises, in large 
part because they get to see some of the nation's most beautiful marine 
ecosystems. Because I want to see these beautiful marine ecosystems 
protected for future generations to enjoy, I am introducing The Clean 
Cruise Ship Act of 2004.
  The Cruise Ship Industry has experienced much success over the past 
few years. In fact, the industry has grown at about an average of 10 
percent over the past seven years, including an almost 17 percent 
increase in 2000. Unfortunately, as it grows, its potential to 
negatively affect the marine environment grows as well. Over a week's 
time, a single 3,000 passenger cruise ship, according to EPA and 
industry data, generates a tremendous amount of waste: Over 200,000 
gallons of black water (raw sewage) are created. Approximately 1 
million gallons of gray water (runoff from showers, sinks and 
dishwashers) are produced. More than 35,000 gallons of oily bilge water 
(oil and chemicals from engine maintenance that collect in the bottom 
of ships and are toxic to marine life) are generated. Isn't it 
reasonable to think that these ships should be subject to the same 
wastewater regulations as those governing municipalities of comparable 
size? I think so.
  While many cruise ship companies have environmental policies in 
place, many are voluntary with no monitoring or enforcement provisions. 
Unfortunately, I am all too familiar with the down-side to voluntary 
agreements, as a cruise ship illegally discharged--breaking its 
voluntary agreement--into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 
2002. Simply put, voluntary agreements between cruise lines and states 
aren't enough to ensure protection of our oceans. The public deserves 
more than industry's claims of environmental performance. We need a 
federal law and we need it now. It's time we strengthen the 
environmental regulations and in so doing, bring these floating cities 
in line with current pollution treatment standards. The Clean Cruise 
Ship Act of 2004 is the answer.
  The legislation that I am introducing today, which has bipartisan 
support and is endorsed by over 30 local and national groups, plugs 
existing loopholes in federal laws, requires ships to treat their 
wastewater wherever they operate, and authorizes broadened enforcement 
authority. Several states including California, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, 
and Washington are currently considering legislation to better regulate 
various cruise ship wastes--similar to the legislation I am introducing 
today. In fact, I am proud to report that California is leading the 
country in protecting its coastal waters from cruise ship pollution. 
Introduction of the Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2004 is one of the ways 
that I am working to provide all states the kinds of ocean and coastal 
protections that Californians benefit from. Enactment of this bill will 
protect California's tourism industry by making sure that the beaches 
and oceans, two of the attractions that make California the most 
visited state in our country, will be protected from cruise ship 
pollution. Simply put, this legislation ensures two things: (1) a 
sustainable future for our oceans, and (2) a sustainable future for the 
cruise and tourism industry.

  This legislation promotes the public interest for all Americans. The 
public deserves clean water--both in our inland waterways and in our 
oceans. The Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2004, through its discharge 
standards, will give the public what it deserves.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
critically important legislation.

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