US Code

Public Law 119-102 (07/12/2026)

33 U.S.C. § 1343

Ocean discharge criteria

Section text and notes

(a)

Issuance of permits

section 1342 of this titlesection 1342 of this titleNo permit under for a discharge into the territorial sea, the waters of the contiguous zone, or the oceans shall be issued, after promulgation of guidelines established under subsection (c) of this section, except in compliance with such guidelines. Prior to the promulgation of such guidelines, a permit may be issued under such if the Administrator determines it to be in the public interest.

(b)

Waiver

section 1342 of this titleThe requirements of subsection (d) of may not be waived in the case of permits for discharges into the territorial sea.

(c)

Guidelines for determining degradation of waters

(1)
The Administrator shall, within one hundred and eighty days after (and from time to time thereafter), promulgate guidelines for determining the degradation of the waters of the territorial seas, the contiguous zone, and the oceans, which shall include:
(A)
the effect of disposal of pollutants on human health or welfare, including but not limited to plankton, fish, shellfish, wildlife, shorelines, and beaches;
(B)
the effect of disposal of pollutants on marine life including the transfer, concentration, and dispersal of pollutants or their byproducts through biological, physical, and chemical processes; changes in marine ecosystem diversity, productivity, and stability; and species and community population changes;
(C)
the effect of disposal, of pollutants on esthetic, recreation, and economic values;
(D)
the persistence and permanence of the effects of disposal of pollutants;
(E)
the effect of the disposal of varying rates, of particular volumes and concentrations of pollutants;
(F)
other possible locations and methods of disposal or recycling of pollutants including land-based alternatives; and
(G)
the effect on alternate uses of the oceans, such as mineral exploitation and scientific study.
(2)
section 1342 of this title In any event where insufficient information exists on any proposed discharge to make a reasonable judgment on any of the guidelines established pursuant to this subsection no permit shall be issued under .

June 30, 1948, ch. 758 Pub. L. 92–500, § 286 Stat. 883 (, title IV, § 403, as added , , .)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Discharges From Point Sources in United States Virgin Islands Attributable to Manufacture of Rum; Exemption; Conditions

section 214(g) of Pub. L. 98–67section 1311 of this titleDischarges from point sources in the United States Virgin Islands in existence on , attributable to the manufacture of rum not to be subject to the requirements of this section under certain conditions, see , set out as a note under .

Executive Documents

Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone of United States

section 1331 of Title 43For extension of territorial sea and contiguous zone of United States, see Proc. No. 5928 and Proc. No. 7219, respectively, set out as notes under , Public Lands.