[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 17, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 66264] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-31925] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Notice on Garbage Discharges for Navy Ships in MARPOL Annex V Special Areas SUMMARY: Under Section 1003 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, Public Law 103-160, the Secretary of Defense must report annually in years 1994 through 2000 on the amount and nature of garbage discharges from Navy ships operating in special areas, when such discharges are not otherwise authorized under Annex V of the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). This notice is the third annual report. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from ships (MARPOL) as amended by the MARPOL Protocol of 1978, protects the ocean environment by prohibiting some discharges altogether, restricting other discharges to particular distances from land, and establishing ``special areas'' within which additional discharge limitations apply. Special areas are particular bodies of water which, because of their oceanographic characteristics and ecological significance, require protective measures more strict than other areas of the ocean. Within special areas that are in effect internationally, except under emergency circumstances the only authorized garbage discharge from vessels in food waste. At present, three special areas are in effect: the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Antarctic Region. Section 1003 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, Public Law 103-160, 107 Stat. 1745, established deadlines for compliance by U.S. Navy ships with the Annex V special area requirements. Surface ships must comply with the special area requirements. Surface ships must comply with the special area requirements by 31 December 2000. Submarines must comply with the special area requirements by 31 December 2008. The Act further requires the Secretary of Defense to report in the Federal Register the amount and nature of Navy ship discharges in special areas, not otherwise authorized under MARPOL Annex V. This Federal Register notice is the third of the required annual reports. This report covers the period between 1 August 1995 and 31 July 1996. The end date of July 31st is necessary to allow time for data collection and report preparation. During the period 1 August 1995 through 31 July 1996 there were no garbage discharges from Navy Ships into MARPOL Annex V special areas that were not authorized under MARPOL Annex V. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Louis Maiuri, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Protection, Safety and Occupational Health Division, Crystal Plaza #4, Room 654, 2211 South Clark Place, Arlington, Virginia 22244-5108; telephone 703-602-2602. Dated: December 9, 1996. D. E. Koenig, Jr., LCDR, JAGC, USN, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 96-31925 Filed 12-16-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P