[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E649-E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REGARDING CLEAN CRUISE SHIP ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  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 2005.
  The Cruise Ship Industry has experienced much success over the past 
few years. In fact, the industry has grown an average of 10 percent per 
year over the past 8 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

[[Page E650]]

the down-side to voluntary agreements. In my district a cruise ship--
breaking its voluntary agreement--illegally discharged 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 2005 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 have enacted or 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. Passage of the Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2005 is one of 
the ways to provide all states with the kinds of ocean and coastal 
protections that the people of California, Alaska and Maine benefit 
from. Enactment of this bill will protect the 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 2005, 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.

                          ____________________