AMO Currents - New interim rule on cargo sweeping regulations for the Great Lakes

AMO Currents - Posted: October 14, 2008

New interim rule on cargo sweeping regulations for the Great Lakes

The U.S. Coast Guard published an interim rule in the Federal Register setting new requirements for dry cargo residue discharges in the Great Lakes—cargo sweeping.

The interim rule, which took effect Sept. 29, allows cargo sweeping in limited areas of the Great Lakes by self-propelled vessels and any barge that is part of an integrated tug/barge unit. This applies to the non-toxic, non-hazardous residues of the core dry bulk cargoes on the lakes. The interim rule adds new recordkeeping requirements for cargo sweeping and encourages carriers to adopt voluntary control measures for reducing discharges. Cargo sweeping is now prohibited in certain sensitive areas of the lakes where it was previously allowed.

Comments are being accepted on the interim rule through Jan. 15, 2009. The Coast Guard notice published in the Federal Register, complete with instructions for submitting comments, is available online at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22670.pdf. For more information on the interim rule, contact Lt. Heather St. Pierre, U.S. Coast Guard, by phone at (202) 372–1432 or by .