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Chron File - June 1993 No. 1 [9]
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Records of the National Security Council Defense Policy and Arms Control Office (Clinton Administration)
Robert Bell's Files
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Case Number: 2016-0152-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the Clinton Presidential
Library Staff.
Folder Title:
Chron File - June 1993 #1 [9]
Staff Office-Individual:
Defense Policy-Bell, Robert
Original OA/ID Number:
45
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
Stack:
31
3
2
1
V
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. memo
For the Executive Secretary, National Security Council. Subject:
06/10/1993
P1/b(1)
Significant Military Exercise - TANDEM THRUST 93. (1 page)
002. cable
re: Part I Significant Military Exercise Brief. (2 pages)
05/14/1993
P1/b(1)
003. cable
re: Proposed Public Affairs Guidance -- Ex Tandem Thrust 93. (2
05/18/1993
P1/b(1)
pages)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Security Council
Defense Policy and Arms Control (Robert Bell)
OA/Box Number:
45
FOLDER TITLE:
Chron File - June 1993 #1 [9]
2016-0152-F
vz4416
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office |(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information |(a)(4) of the PRAJ
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
4279
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20506
June 12, 1993
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR WILLIAM H. ITOH
THROUGH:
ROBERT BELL
FROM:
KEITH HAHN
SUBJECT:
Significant Military Exercise TANDEM THRUST 93
Attached at Tab I is a proposed memorandum to the Executive
Secretary, Department of Defense, approving military exercise
TANDEM THRUST 93. At Tab II Defense recommends approval and
State concurs.
TANDEM THRUST 93 is a joint task force field training exercise
scheduled to take place throughout the month of July in and near
the islands of Guam, Tinian and Farallon De Medinilla in the
Marianas. A total of approximately 5000 U.S. military personnel
will participate.
The critical cancellation date is June 21, 1993.
Concurrence by:
Sandra Kristoff
Spe
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum at Tab I approving the exercise.
Attachments
Tab
I
Memorandum for Signature
Tab II
OSD Executive Secretary Memorandum, June 10, 1993
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By v2 NARA, Date 10/3/2016
2016-0152-F
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassify on: OADR
CONFIDENTIAL
4279
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON D.C. 20506
MEMORANDUM FOR COL MICHAEL B. SHERFIELD
Executive Secretary
Department of Defense
SUBJECT:
Significant Military Exercise TANDEM THRUST 93
Military exercise TANDEM THRUST 93 is approved.
William H. Itoh
Executive Secretary
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. memo
For the Executive Secretary, National Security Council. Subject:
06/10/1993
P1/b(1)
Significant Military Exercise - TANDEM THRUST 93. (1 page)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Security Council
Defense Policy and Arms Control (Robert Bell)
OA/Box Number: 45
FOLDER TITLE:
Chron File - June 1993 #1 [9]
2016-0152-F
vz4416
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act 144 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
h(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute |(b)(3) of the FOIA
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA|
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes ((b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
h(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
002. cable
re: Part I Significant Military Exercise Brief. (2 pages)
05/14/1993
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Security Council
Defense Policy and Arms Control (Robert Bell)
OA/Box Number:
45
FOLDER TITLE:
Chron File - June 1993 #1 [9]
2016-0152-F
vz4416
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)|
PI National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRAJ
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRAJ
h(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRA
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA|
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes |(b)(7) of the FOIA|
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
h(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
003. cable
re: Proposed Public Affairs Guidance -- Ex Tandem Thrust 93. (2
05/18/1993
P1/b(1)
pages)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Security Council
Defense Policy and Arms Control (Robert Bell)
OA/Box Number: 45
FOLDER TITLE:
Chron File - June 1993 #1 [9]
2016-0152-F
vz4416
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute |(b)(3) of the FOIA|
financial information |(a)(4) of the PRA]
h(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors |a)(5) of the PRA|
h(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA|
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
4121
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON D.C. 20506
June 12, 1993
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR WILLIAM H. ITOH
THROUGH:
ROBERT BELL
Reb
FROM
KEITH HAHN
SUBJECT:
Defense Draft Bill RE Public Vessel Plastic and
Solid Waste Control Act of 1993;
Attached at Tab II is a revised Defense draft of the Public
Vessel Plastic and Solid Waste Control Act of 1993. An earlier
draft of this bill raised concerns from several agencies and
resulted in a meeting on April 29 to find ways to answer these
concerns.
The primary issue raised in the original draft was DoD's proposal
for an open-ended extension to the compliance requirements of the
Act. Most dissenting agencies (State, Commerce, NOAA and EPA)
wanted some form of interagency oversight of DoD's progress in
meeting compliance requirements. This draft answers these
concerns by requiring the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary
of Transportation to report to the heads of concerned Federal
agencies annually on discharges from submersibles (which DoD
originally wanted totally exempted). These Secretaries are also
required to report in five years on the "then-existing
technologies for solid waste management aboard ships, including
submersibles, and assessing the practicability of employing such
technologies
"
3
a
Concurrences by:
Jeremy Rosner and Eileen Claussen
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum at Tab I concurring in the Defense
draft bill.
Attachments
Tab I
Memorandum for Signature
Tab II
Incoming Correspondence
4121
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
MEMORANDUM FOR RONALD K. PETERSON
FROM
WILLIAM H. ITOH
SUBJECT:
Revised Defense Draft Bill RE Public Vessel
Plastic and Solid Waste Control Act of 1993
The National Security Council staff concurs in the revised
Defense draft bill.
4121
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
SPECIAL
Washington, D.C. 20503
June 4, 1993
LEGISLATIVE REFERRAL MEMORANDUM
LRM #D-252
DRAFT #209
TO: Legislative Liaison Officer -
COMMERCE - Michael A. Levitt - (202) 482-3086 - 324
JUSTICE - Faith Burton - (202)514-2141 - 217
STATE - Bill Keppler - (202)647-2137 - 225
TRANSPORTATION - Tom Herlihy - (202) 366-4687 - 226
EPA - Thomas C. Roberts - (202) 260-5414 - 326
NSC - William H. Itoh - (202) 395-3722 RomaldK.Peterson - 249
FROM:
RONALD K. PETERSON (for)
Assistant Director for Legislative Reference
OMB CONTACT: Holly FITTER (395-3233)
Secretary's line (for simple responses) : 395-6194
Linda WIESMAN (395-6808)
Revised
SUBJECT:
DEFENSE Draft Bill Public Vessel Plastic and
A
Solid Waste Control Act of 1993
DEADLINE: 10:00 AM June 9, 1993
COMMENTS: If we do not hear from your agency within the
prescribed timeframe we will assume that you have no objection
to clearance.
OMB requests the views of your agency on the above subject before
advising on its relationship to the program of the President, in
accordance with OMB Circular A-19.
Please advise us if this item will affect direct spending or
receipts for purposes of the the "Pay-As-You-Go" provisions of
Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990.
CC:
J. Payne
L. Haber
T. Hunt
K. McGinty
LRM #D-252
RESPONSE TO LEGISLATIVE REFERRAL MEMORANDUM
If your response to this request for views is simple (e.g.,
concur/no comment) we prefer that you respond by faxing us this
response sheet. If the response is simple and you prefer to
call, please call the branch-wide line shown below (NOT the
analyst's line) to leave a message with a secretary.
You may also respond by (1) calling the analyst/attorney's direct
line (you will be connected to voice mail if the analyst does not
answer) i (2) sending us a memo or letter; or (3) if you are an
OASIS user in the Executive Office of the President, sending an
E-mail message. Please include the LRM number shown above, and
the subject shown below.
TO:
Holly FITTER
Office of Management and Budget
Fax Number: (202) 395-5691
Analyst/Attorney's Direct Number:
(202) 395-3233
Branch-Wide Line (to reach secretary) : (202) 395-6194
FROM:
(Date)
(Name)
(Agency)
(Telephone)
SUBJECT: DEFENSE Draft Bill Public Vessel Plastic and
Solid Waste Control Act of 1993
The following is the response of our agency to your request for
views on the above-captioned subject:
Concur
No objection
No comment
See proposed edits on pages
Other:
FAX RETURN of
pages, attached to this
response sheet
A BILL
1
Department of Defense and Coast Guard Ship
2
Plastic and Solid Waste Control Act of 1993
3
To amend the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships in order to
4
establish standards for compliance with Annex V to the MARPOL
5
Convention by ships owned or operated by the Department of
6
Defense and the Coast Guard, and for other purposes.
7
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
8
the United States in Congress assembled,
9
Section 1. Title. This act may be cited as the Department of
10
Defense and Coast Guard Ship Plastic and Solid Waste Control Act
11
of 1993.
12
Section 2. Applicability. Subsection 3 (b) (1) (A) of the Act to
13
Prevent Pollution from Ships [33 U.S.C. §1902 (b) (1) (A) ] is
14
amended to read as follows: "a warship, naval auxiliary, or
15
other ship owned or operated by the Department of Defense or the
16
Coast Guard when engaged in noncommercial service; or".
17
Section 3. Compliance Deadline. Subsection 3 (b) (2) (A) of the
18
Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships [33 U.S.C. § 1902 (b) (2) (A) ]
19
is amended by deleting the words "5 years after the effective
20
date of this paragraph" and substituting therefor "December 31st,
21
1998," and by adding the words "other than a, submersible"
22
following the words "paragraph (1) (A) If
23
Section 4. Special Area Discharges. Section 3 of the Act to
24
Prevent Pollution from Ships [33 U.S.C. § 1902] is amended by
25
renumbering existing subsections (c) and (d) as (d) and (e)
26
respectively and inserting new subsection (c) after subsection
27
(b), as follows:
Update: 11 May 1993
1
Department of Defense and Coast Guard Ship
Plastic and Solid Waste Control Act of 1993
1
" (c) Special Area Discharges.
2
(1) This chapter shall not apply to effluent or other
3
discharges from pulpers, comminuters, shredders, compactors,
4
processors or other waste processing devices from any ship
5
described in subsection (b) (1) while such ship is located in a
6
special area in effect under the Convention unless:
7
(A) The ship is located within twelve nautical miles of
8
the nearest land;
9
(B) such effluent or discharges result in the release of
10
floatable material upon the surface of the water; or
11
(C) such effluent or discharges result in the release of
12
plastic, irrespective of whether it floats."
13
14
Section 5. Full compliance measures. Renumbered subsection 3 (e)
15
of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships [33 U.S.C. 1902 (e) ] is
16
amended as follows:
17
" (e) Compliance by Excluded Vessels. The United States
18
hereby establishes a goal of full compliance with the MARPOL
19
Protocol. To this end:
20
(1) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
21
Transportation shall prescribe standards applicable to ships
22
excluded from this chapter by subsection (b) (1) of this
23
section and for which they are responsible. Standards
24
prescribed under this subsection shall ensure, so far as is
25
reasonable and practicable without impairing the operations
26
or operational capabilities of such ships, that such ships
27
act in a manner consistent with the MARPOL Protocol.
28
(2) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
29
Transportation annually shall report to the heads of
Update: 11 May 1993
2
Department of Defense and Coast Guard Ship
Plastic and Solid Waste Control Act of 1993
1
concerned Federal agencies regarding discharges from
2
submersibles and discharges pursuant to subsection (c) (1),
3
which discharges would not otherwise be authorized under
4
Annex V to the Convention.
5
(3) Five years from the effective date of this section, and
6
on each five year anniversary thereafter until full
7
compliance with Annex V to the Convention is achieved by all
8
ships under their control, the Secretary of Defense and the
9
Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Secretaries
10
of concerned agencies a report reviewing the then-existing
11
technologies for solid waste management aboard ships,
12
including submersibles, and assessing the practicability of
13
employing such technologies in Department of Defense and
14
Coast Guard ships, including submersibles, respectively, to
15
achieve full compliance with Annex V to the Convention by
16
all ships under their control. If
17
Update:
11 May 1993
3
1
Codified Section 1902, As Amended
1
§ 1902. Ships subject to preventive measures
2
(a)
Included vessels
3
This chapter shall apply-
4
(1) to a ship of United States registry or nationality, or
5
one operated under the authority of the United States, wherever
6
located;
7
(2) with respect to Annexes I and II to the Convention, to a
8
ship, other than a ship referred to in paragraph (1), while in
9
the navigable waters of the United States;
10
(3) with respect to the requirements of Annex V to the
11
Convention, to a ship, other than a ship referred to in paragraph
12
(1), while in the navigable waters or the exclusive economic zone
13
of
the United States; and
14
(4) with respect to regulations prescribed under section
15
1905 of this title, of any port or terminal in the United States.
16
(b) Excluded vessels
17
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), this chapter shall
18
not apply to-
19
(A) a warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or
20
operated by the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard when
21
engaged in noncommercial service; or
22
(B) any other ship specifically excluded by the MARPOL
23
Protocol.
24
(2) (A) Notwithstanding any provision of the MARPOL Protocol,
25
and subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the
26
requirements of Annex V to the Convention shall apply after
27
December 31st, 1998 to a ship referred to in paragraph (1) (A),
28
other than a submersible.
29
(B) This paragraph shall not apply during time of war or a
30
declared national emergency.
Update: 11 May 1993
1
Codified Section 1902, As Amended
1
(c) Special Area Discharges.
2
(1) This chapter shall not apply to effluent or other
3
discharges from pulpers, comminuters, shredders, compactors,
4
processors or other waste processing devices from a ship
5
described in subsection (b) (1) while such ship is located in a
6
special area in effect under the Convention unless:
7
(A) The ship is located within twelve nautical miles of
8
the
nearest land;
9
(B) such effluent or discharges result in the release of
10
floatable material upon the surface of the water; or
11
(C) such effluent or discharges result in the release of
12
plastic, irrespective of whether it floats.
13
(d) Regulations
14
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations applicable to
15
ships of a country not a party to the MARPOL Protocol, including
16
regulations conforming to and giving effect to the requirements
17
of Annex V as they apply under subsection (a) of this section, to
18
ensure that their treatment is not more favorable than that
19
accorded ships to parties to the MARPOL Protocol.
20
(e) Compliance by Excluded Vessels
21
The United States hereby establishes a goal of full
22
compliance with the MARPOL Protocol. To this end:
23
(1) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
24
Transportation shall prescribe standards applicable to ships
25
excluded from this chapter by subsection (b) (1) of this section
26
and for which they are responsible. Standards prescribed under
27
this subsection shall ensure, so far as is reasonable and
28
practicable without impairing the operations or operational
29
capabilities of such ships, that such ships act in a manner
30
consistent with the MARPOL Protocol.
Update: 11 May 1993
2
Codified Section 1902, As Amended
1
(2) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
2
Transportation annually shall report to the heads of concerned
3
Federal agencies regarding discharges from submersibles and
4
discharges pursuant to subsection (c) (1), which discharges would
5
not otherwise be authorized under Annex V to the Convention.
6
(3) Five years from the effective date of this section, and
7
on each five year anniversary thereafter until full compliance
8
with Annex V to the Convention is achieved by all ships under
9
their control, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
10
Transportation shall submit to the Secretaries of concerned
11
agencies a report reviewing the then-existing technologies for
12
solid waste management aboard ships, including submersibles, and
13
assessing the practicability of employing such technologies in
14
Department of Defense and Coast Guard ships, including
15
submersibles, respectively, to achieve full compliance with Annex
16
V to the Convention by all ships under their control.
Update: 11 May 1993
3
May 27, 1993
Changes to 7th Draft (Dated March 1993) of the Navy's
Report to Congress on Plastics
The purpose of these changes is to explain that the Navy has established a goal of full
compliance with Annex V and that the exemptions for subs and discharges in special areas
should be obviated if the Navy's plans for environmentally sound ships of the 21st century
are fulfilled.
Add new Section 6.1 that summarizes goals for environmentally sound ships
Point out that Navy will continue to report to interested agencies
- Annual report on discharges from submarines or in special areas
- Report every 5 years on existing technologies of solid waste management
aboard ships
Change date on cover and every page to May 1993
Specific Changes
1. Page vi--Executive Summary--Add paragraph after Recommendation #3:
The Navy supports a national goal of full compliance with Annex V requirements and is
working hard to achieve that goal. Beyond Annex V, the Navy has established an objective
of achieving environmentally sound ships of the 21st century. The Navy now is taking all
reasonable measures to minimize discharges in special areas and from submarines, and will
continue searching for suitable technologies that will treat or destroy all wastes on board.
The Navy will report annually to concerned Federal agencies on the discharges not
authorized under Annex V from submarines and from ships operating in special areas. The
Navy will also submit every 5 years to concerned Federal agencies a report reviewing the
latest technologies for solid waste management aboard ships, including submarines, and the
suitability of the technologies for Navy ships and submarines.
2. Page 29-Section 6.0--Replace existing paragraphs with new intro paragraph:
To protect maritime environmental quality, the Navy is taking actions that go beyond
MPPRCA and Annex V requirements. The Navy has established the goal of achieving
environmentally sound ships of the 21st century that will be able to treat or destroy all
wastes on board. The Shipboard Solid and Plastics Waste Program will eliminate floating
debris discharges worldwide. The Navy is also investigating degradable materials and
plastics waste recycling options.
3. Page 29-Replace old Section 6.1 with new Section 6.1:
6.1 Environmentally Sound Ships
We expect naval ships operating in the 21st century to meet increasingly stringent
environmental regulations. The Navy has a comprehensive shipboard pollution abatement
program under way that will enable ships of the 21st century to be environmentally sound.
The goal is for ships to operate worldwide without potential for regulatory constraints,
inappropriate dependence on shore facilities, or unreasonable costs imposed by
environmental regulations. The basic strategy is to:
(1)
design and operate ships to minimize waste generation and optimize waste
management, and
(2)
develop shipboard systems that will destroy or appropriately treat the wastes
generated on board.
If wastes are unavoidable and cannot be destroyed or retained on board for recycling ashore,
they must be sufficiently treated to make all overboard discharges environmentally
insignificant. We have not yet achieved the ultimate solution for on-board destruction for any
shipboard wastestream, but we have made considerable progress in developing on-board
capabilities to treat or process solid waste, oily waste, hazardous materials, and medical
waste.
4. Page 30-Change title of Figure 3 to read "Schedule for Eliminating Discharges of
Nonplastic Floating Trash"
5. Page 33-Add to Section 7 after Recommendation #3:
The Navy supports a national goal of full compliance with Annex V requirements and is
working hard to achieve that goal. Beyond Annex V, the Navy has established an objective
of achieving environmentally sound ships of the 21st century. The Navy now is taking all
reasonable measures to minimize discharges in special areas and from submarines, and will
continue searching for suitable technologies that will treat or destroy all wastes on board.
The Navy will report annually to concerned Federal agencies on the discharges not
authorized under Annex V from submarines and from ships operating in special areas. The
Navy will also submit every 5 years to concerned Federal agencies a report reviewing the
latest technologies for solid waste management aboard ships, including submarines, and the
suitability of the technologies for Navy ships and submarines.
THEN OF
UNITED OF
Report to Congress
U.S. Navy
Compliance with the
Marine Plastic Pollution
Research and Control Act
of 1987
May 1993
Preface
The Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987
(MPPRCA) implements Annex V of the International Convention
for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships (MARPOL) as U.S. law.
The effective date of the Act for the maritime industry was
December 31, 1988, the day Annex V entered into force for the
United States.
Annex V of MARPOL prohibits (subject to limited exceptions) the
disposal from ships into the sea of all plastics, including but not
limited to synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, and plastic garbage
bags. Annex V also restricts the discharge at sea of other types of
garbage to specified distances from the nearest land. Public vessels
are exempt from the restrictions but are expected to comply to the
extent possible.
Unlike Annex V of MARPOL, the MPPRCA does not exempt public
vessels and requires the U.S. Navy, beginning five years after Annex
V enters into force (i.e., December 31, 1993) to comply with the
discharge controls. However, under provisions of MPPRCA, the
Congress may modify this applicability to the Navy, based on this
mandated Report to the Congress on the Navy's extent of compli-
ance.
This report reviews Navy actions being taken in response to MPPRCA,
the schedule for achieving maximum compliance, impediments to
full compliance by December 31, 1993, ships that cannot achieve full
compliance and recommended measures that will allow for Navy
compliance with MPPRCA.
May 1993
Executive Summary
Navy Actions in
For a number of years, the Navy was developing shipboard solid
Response to
waste management equipment, in anticipation of Annex V regula-
tions affecting ocean dumping of trash and garbage. However, the
MPPRCA
MPPRCA requirement prohibiting the Navy from discharging plas-
tic at sea caught the Navy somewhat by surprise because maritime
regulations have always recognized the unique operating constraints
of the military and have allowed the Navy to comply only to "the
extent practicable." Nevertheless, the Navy responded to MPPRCA
by accelerating its planned shipboard solid waste management
program and modifying the program strategy to address the unantici-
pated plastics discharge prohibition.
From the highest levels in the Navy down to the deckplate sailor, the
Navy took unprecedented measures to immediately reduce and
eventually eliminate plastics waste discharges from its ships. The
Navy prepared comprehensive program plans prior to passage of
MPPRCA and issued new guidance and instructions on plastics waste
management in 1989.
Navy sailors are now separating the plastic from the nonplastics
waste at sea and storing plastics waste on board to the extent practical
without impairing the operation of our ships. The waste is then off-
loaded in port for recycling or proper disposal. The Navy is reducing
the amount of plastics taken on board and eveloping new equipment
for ships to manage what plastics are taken on board.
Navy Program
The Navy will comply with and exceed the requirements of Annex
Strategy and
V and MPPRCA, subject to the recommended changes, by making
changes in shipboard waste management and supply practices, and
Approach
by installing new shipboard solid and plastics waste management
equipment.
Prior to passage of MPPRCA, the Navy's strategy for shipboard solid
waste management was to direct ships to discharge solid wastes only
where permitted, and to provide ships with equipment to grind up
pulpable wastes and compact unpulpable trash into sinkable slugs
for overboard discharge where permitted. As early as 1970, the Navy
111
May 1993
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
waste processors. This will enable Navy ships to fully comply with
the plastics waste provisions and exceed the nonplastics waste
provisions of Annex V.
Schedule for
The Navy expects to achieve maximum compliance with MPPRCA
and Annex V in 1998. The Navy has given priority status to the
Compliance
program and is working to accelerate development, procurement,
delivery, and installation of solid waste processing equipment.
Actions are under way to complete or have in progress installations
of the Navy's metal/glass shredder, solid waste pulper, and plastics
waste processor by the end of 1998. These actions include:
Accelerating procurement and delivery of shipboard
equipment;
Accelerating development and testing of plastics waste
processors; and
Assigning priority status to equipment installations at
the earliest opportunities.
Impediments to
The Navy cannot fully comply with zero-plastics discharge require-
ment of MPPRCA and Annex V by December 31, 1993 because: 1)
Full Compliance
the shipboard solid and plastics waste management equipment
By 1994
cannot be developed and installed on all ships by that date; 2) food-
contaminated plastics waste cannot be stored on board for more than
3 days without unacceptable odors and potential fire, health, and
sanitation risks; and 3) suitable nonplastic substitutes for all plastic
items, packing, and packaging taken on board are not available.
V
May 1993
Contents
Preface
i
Executive Summary
iii
1. Introduction
1
1.1 Purpose of this Report
1
1.2 Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987
1
1.3 Annex V of MARPOL
1
1.4 Specific Provisions for Navy Vessels
2
2. Navy Actions in Response to MPPRCA
3
2.1 Immediate High-level Attention
3
2.2 Navy's Solid and Plastics Waste Program
4
2.2.1 Program Goal and Objectives
4
2.2.2 Navy Program Strategy and Approach
5
2.2.3 Navy Requirements for Shipboard Solid and Plastics
Waste Management
7
2.2.4 Ship Demonstration Project
10
2.2.5 Fleet Operations
11
2.2.6 Crew Education
11
2.2.7 Supply System
12
2.2.8 Shipboard Equipment Development
13
2.2.8.1 Solid Waste Pulper
14
2.2.8.2 Metal/Glass Shredder
15
2.2.8.3 Plastics Waste Processor
15
2.3 Summary of Navy's Accomplishments
15
3. Schedule for Achieving Maximum Compliance
17
4.
Impediments to Full Compliance By 1994
19
4.1 Availability of Shipboard Solid and Plastics Waste
Management Equipment
19
4.2 Inability to Store Food-Contaminated Plastics On Board
19
4.3 Lack of Suitable Nonplastic Items
24
5. Navy Ships That Cannot Achieve Full Compliance
27
5.1 Submarines
27
5.2 Ships Operating in Special Areas
27
6.
Beyond Annex V
29
6.1 Environmentally Sound Ships
30
6.2 Elimination of Floating Marine Debris
31
6.3 Recycling Plastics Waste
31
6.4 Degradable Plastics
32
7. Recommendations
33
May 1993
vii
1.
Introduction
1.1
This Navy report fulfills a requirement of the Marine Plastic Pollu-
tion Research and Control Act of 1987 (P.L. 100-220) that each
Purpose of
Federal agency operating ships that may not be able to comply with
Report
the requirements of the Act shall report to Congress. The Act directs
each agency to report the following:
1) The technical and operational impediments to achieving that
compliance;
2) An alternative schedule for achieving that compliance as rapidly
as is technologically feasible;
3) The ships operated or contracted for operation by the agency
for which full compliance with section 3(b)(2)(A) (by January 1,
1994) is not technologically feasible; and
4) Any other information which the agency head considers relevant
and appropriate.
1.2
The Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987
Marine Plastic
(MPPRCA), signed by the President on December 29, 1987, imple-
ments Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention
Pollution
of Pollution by Ships (MARPOL) as U.S. law, and mandates certain
Research and
studies of plastics pollution and compliance reports by Federal
Control Act
agencies. The effective date of the Act for the maritime industry was
December 31, 1988, the day Annex V entered into force for the
of 1987
United States.
1.3
Annex V of MARPOL prohibits (subject to limited exceptions) the
Annex V of
disposal from ships into the sea of all plastics, including but not
limited to synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, and plastic garbage
MARPOL
bags. It also restricts the discharge at sea of other types of garbage
to specified distances from the nearest land. Public vessels are
exempt from the restrictions but are expected to comply to the extent
possible. The basic requirements of Annex V are the following:
1
May 1993
2.
Navy Actions in
Response to MPPRCA
For a number of years, the Navy was developing shipboard solid
waste management equipment, in anticipation of Annex V regula-
tions affecting ocean dumping of trash and garbage. However, the
MPPRCA requirement prohibiting the Navy from discharging plas-
tic at sea caught the Navy somewhat by surprise because maritime
regulations have always recognized the unique operating constraints
of the military and have allowed the Navy to comply only to "the
extent practicable." Nevertheless, the Navy responded to MPPRCA
by accelerating its planned Shipboard Solid Waste Management
Program and modifying the program strategy to address the unantici-
pated plastics discharge prohibition.
From the highest levels in the Navy down to the deckplate sailor, the
Navy took unprecedented measures to immediately reduce and
eventually eliminate plastics waste discharges from its ships. The
Navy prepared comprehensive program plans prior to passage of
MPPRCA and issued new guidance and instructions on plastics waste
management in 1989.
Navy sailors are now separating the plastics from the nonplastics
waste at sea and storing plastics waste on board until it is off-loaded
in port for recycling or proper disposal. The Navy is reducing the
amount of plastics taken on board and developing new equipment for
ships to manage what plastics are taken on board.
2.1
Prior to passage of MPPRCA, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for
Immediate High-
Shipbuilding and Logistics, in October 1987, directed the Naval Sea
Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the Naval Supply System Com-
Level Attention
mand (NAVSUP) to prepare comprehensive plans of action to
control plastics waste discharge at sea. NAVSUP's plan addresses
the expeditious reduction of the plastic material aboard ships, with
emphasis on initiatives having tangible results by December 31,
1993. NAVSEA's plan addresses the expeditious development and
installation of solid waste handling and destruction devices suitable
for plastic disposition in a shipboard environment. Although the
MPPRCA gives the Navy five years to comply with the plastic
discharge ban, the Navy has alreadyltaken significant steps to reduce
May 1993
3
NAVY ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO MPPRCA
effective date of MPPRCA for Navy ships).
The longer-term objective is to fully comply with the plastics and
nonplastics discharge restrictions of Annex V by the end of 1998, and
to exceed the requirements by eliminating the discharge of floatable
marine debris from Navy ships.
2.2.2
The Navy will comply with Annex V and MPPRCA, subject to the
recommended changes, by making changes in shipboard waste
Navy Program
management and supply practices, and by installing new shipboard
Strategy and
solid and plastics waste management equipment on all ships.
Approach
Prior to passage of MPPRCA, the Navy's strategy for shipboard solid
waste management was to direct ships to discharge solid wastes only
where permitted, and to provide ships with equipment to grind up
pulpable wastes and compact unpulpable trash into sinkable slugs for
overboard discharge where permitted. As early as 1970, the Navy
imposed requirements for shipboard solid waste disposal that were
more stringent than those specified in Annex V. Under the original
long-term strategy, plastics waste was to have been compacted along
with other unpulpable trash and discharged as sinkable slugs. How-
ever, the new restrictions on plastics waste discharge caused the
Navy to substantially modify its solid waste management practices
and long-term strategy.
Under the revised Navy strategy, the approach to compliance with the
nonplastics requirements of Annex V remains essentially the same,
except that unpulpable trash will be shredded rather than compacted.
For the specific problem of shipboard plastics waste management,
the Navy's compliance strategy includes five additional elements:
May 1993
NAVY ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO MPPRCA
Figure 1
U.S. Navy's Shipboard Solid Waste Management Strategy
Retain
Metal/Glass
Trash
On board
Shredder
When In
Restricted
Waters
Non-Infectious
Non-Plastic
Sterilization
Retain
Medical
Infectious
(Medical
On board
Waste
Waste
Waste
For Disposal
Processor)
Ashore
Non-Infectious
Acceptable
Compliance
Shipboard
Plastic
Overboard
With
Solid Waste
Discharge
Annex V of
MARPOL
Store
Plastics
On board
Plastics
Waste
Recycle or
For Off-Load
Processor
Disposal
Ashore
Solid Waste
Retain
Pulper
On board
Garbage
When In
Restricted
Waters
Grinder
2.2.3
Following the Fleet Commanders instructions in March 1989 for
Navy
ships crews to separate and store plastics waste on board, the Chief
of Naval Operations institutionalized the new procedures for ship-
Requirements
board solid and plastics waste management in a major revision to the
Navy's Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Manual
(OPNAVINST 5090.1A). The Manual requires the following ship-
board procedures for managing solid wastes.
May 1993
7
NAVY ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO MPPRCA
50 nm from the nearest shoreline by properly packaging the
waste for negative buoyancy.
(3) Food-contaminated plastics. 'When at sea for four or more
continuous days, as a goal, retain food-contaminated plastics
on board for the last 3 days before return to port to prevent
odor and sanitation problems.
(4) In the event that any on board retention of plastics waste
endangers the health or safety of crew members, creates an
unacceptable nuisance condition, or compromises combat
readiness, overboard discharge is permitted beyond 50 nm
from the nearest shoreline, provided that the waste has been
properly packaged and weighted for negative buoyancy.
(5) All at-sea disposal of plastics shall be approved by the
commanding officer and appropriately logged to indicate the
amount, time, and location of the overboard discharge. Com-
mands shall report discharges of plastics at sea when not in
compliance with paragraph above, according to requirements
established by type commanders, immediate operational
commanders or fleet commanders.
(6) Submarines shall make a conscionable effort to minimize the
discharge of plastics at sea following the guidance above.
Garbage
(1) Unpulped garage shall not be discharged within 12 nm of any
U.S. coastline.
(2) Pulped garbage shall be discharged as far from any U.S.
coastline as practicable, but not within three nm of any U.S.
coastline. Pulped garbage may be discharged into shipboard
sewage holding tanks only when a ship is docked and the
sewagetanks are discharging to pier facilities. Garbage
pulpers shall not be used within three nm of any U.S. coastline
in order to maximize necessary sewage holding capacity and
to preclude inadvertent overboard discharges of sewage.
9
May 1993
NAVY ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO MPPRCA
2.2.5
As soon as results of the Demonstration Project were available, the
Fleet
Operations
fleets took actions to control the Navy's plastics waste discharge at
sea. In March 1989, fleet commanders instructed ships to minimize
plastics waste dumping at sea by making operational changes in the
way nonplastics solid and plastics wastes are managed on board.
Specifically, all surface ships were instructed to follow the 3-day/20-
day procedures that were later promulgated in OPNAVINST 5090.1
An evaluation of ship operating schedules in 1988 indicated that
implementation of the 3-day/20-day policy would immediately
reduce Navywide plastics waste discharge at sea by 70 percent.
2.2.6
In conjunction with the new policy of separating and storing plastics
Crew Education
waste on board, the Navy developed and sent to all ships an
educational package to help ships understand the reasons for the new
requirements and comply with them. The education strategy fo-
cussed on motivating the entire chain of command, ships' officers,
and ships' crews, by providing justification for and useful informa-
tion about the new requirements.
The Navy's plastics education package includes guidance material,
videotapes, posters, and general literature. A ships' guide contains
information on the problems caused by plastics in the oceans,
pertinent Navy requirements, essential elements of a successful
shipboard program, example approaches used on the demonstration
ships, and general information about related issues. The guide also
includes lists of common plastic and substitute nonplastic items,
sample ship instructions to implement the program, and Navy points
of contact for further information. To educate and motivate the crew
members, the Navy made a 10-minute videotape about plastics
waste, the Navy's program, and appropriate shipboard actions. To
show support for the program from the top levels of the Navy, the
Vice Chief of Naval Operations made a statement on the videotape.
The first educational package sent to all ships was so well received
by officers and enlisted personnel that, in 1991, the Navy sent all
ships an updated package with a revised ships' guide, new posters,
and a new videotape.
May 1993
11
NAVY ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO MPPRCA
Internally, the Navy is making significant progress in changing
packaging requirements. Since the program was initiated, changes
have been made to reduce or eliminate plastics packaging for over
350,000 Navy-managed items, by eliminating unnecessary plastics,
using alternate materials when practicable, and packaging more in
bulk. Based on annual demand projections for the items reviewed to
date, an estimated 475,000 pounds of plastic will be eliminated as a
direct result of these changes.
Examples of other supply initiatives include:
Naval Supply Centers are reducing the amount of plastic
packing and packaging materials they are using by sub-
stituting fiberboard boxes, paper cushioning and dunnage
materials, paper bags and envelopes, rope and metal
strapping, and by maximum use of reusable containers.
Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility will revise
specifications affecting 500 items to substitute plastic
bags with paper bands, tissue/kraft paper sleeves, or
eliminate bag totally.
Navy Publications and Printing Service will specify non-
plastic packaging in all new contracts and Navy Publica-
tions and Forms Center is experimenting with cold seal
paper packaging.
2.2.8
Prior to passage of MPPRCA, the Navy had been researching,
developing, testing, and evaluating technologies that could improve
Shipboard
shipboard solid waste management. The Navy currently has three
Equipment
pieces of equipment at various stages of development: solid waste
Development
pulper, metal/glass shredder, and plastics waste processor.
13
May 1993
NAVY ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO MPPRCA
2.2.8.2
The Navy is developing a metal/glass shredder specifically designed for
Metal/Glass
Navy ships. The shredder will ease handling of routine trash and help
ships comply with the Navy's requirement to weight discharged trash
Shredder
for negative buoyancy. It will be used to shred all metal, glass, and
ceramic waste into a sinkable form to be packed into a paper or cotton
bag and discharged overboard where permitted. The production ver-
sion of the metal/glass shredder will be installed in operating Navy
ships by the end of 1998.
2.2.8.3
The Navy is evaluating innovative approaches for processing ship-
board plastics waste through a multi-phased research and develop-
Plastics Waste
ment program. The primary objective is to densify plastics waste and
Processor
make it safe for long-term storage on board.
In 1991, two breadboard-level prototypes were designed, fabricated,
and laboratory tested by the Navy. In 1992, full-scale development
models of the two concepts were designed and fabricated. The
production version of the plastics waste processor will be installed in
operating Navy ships by the end of 1998.
2.3
Since the passage of MPPRCA, the Navy has made significant
progress toward complete compliance with its requirements by
Summary of
taking aggressive actions in the areas of shipboard operations, supply
Navy's
system, equipment development, and education.
Accomplishments
Navy ships are presently 100 percent in compliance with the
nonplastics waste requirements of Annex V (93 percent of total solid
wastes), except in the special areas. Ships are also 100 percent in
compliance with the zero-plastics discharge requirement when they
are at sea for 3 days or less, and 70 percent in compliance overall.
The Navy achieved this level of compliance beginning in March
1989, when all U.S. Navy ships began retaining all plastics waste on
board for at least the last 3 days, and/nonfood-contaminated plastics
waste for at least the first 20 days they are at sea.
15
May 1993
Schedule For Achieving
3.
Maximum Compliance
The Navy expects to achieve maximum compliance with all provi-
sions of MPPRCA and Annex V in 1998. Navy ships and submarines
have already achieved full compliance with MPPRCA requirements
for nonplastics solid waste discharges, but not for plastics waste nor
special areas.
Compliance with MPPRCA presents the Navy with an array of
problems caused by the different regulations depending on the type
of solid waste (plastics or nonplastics solid waste) and geographic
location (special areas or non-special areas), and the different types
of Navy vessels and their characteristics.
The Navy is giving priority status to the program and is working to
accelerate development, procurement, delivery, and installation of
solid waste processing equipment. Actions are under way to com-
plete or have in progress installations of the Navy's metal/glass
shredder, solid waste pulper, and plastics waste processor by the end
of 1998. These actions include:
Accelerating developing, testing, procurement, and installa-
tion of shipboard equipment;
Programming for hardware production, acquisition, and ship
installations prior to completion of hardware development;
and
Assigning priority status to equipment installations at the
earliest opportunities including modification of some ships in
advance of availability of shipboard solid waste production
equipment.
Normally, the development and fleetwide installation of a new piece
of shipboard equipment takes 25 years or more to complete because
the entire process has prescribed phases and milestones that must
occur sequentially. For the PWP, the Navy originally planned to
begin research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) in 1990
and complete fleetwide installation in 2001, an 11-year process. The
Navy has taken actions that should further accelerate the schedule.
93
17
4.
Impediments To Full
Compliance By 1994
The Navy cannot fully comply with zero-plastics discharge require-
ment of MPPRCA and Annex V by December 31, 1993 because:
1) The shipboard solid and plastics waste management equip-
ment cannot be developed and installed on all ships by that date;
2) Food-contaminated plastics waste cannot be stored on board for
more than 3 days without unacceptable odors and potential
health, sanitation, and fire risks; and
3) Suitable nonplastic substitutes for all plastic items taken on board
are not available.
4.1
The Navy cannot develop, test, produce, and install on all ships, the
Availability
shipboard equipment needed for full compliance by January 1, 1994.
The three pieces of shipboard solid and plastics waste management
of Shipboard
equipment (metal/glass shredder, solid waste pulper, and plastics
Solid and
waste processor) are at different stages of development in a Navy
Plastics Waste
laboratory.
Management
The most important piece of equipment for eliminating the last 27
Equipment
percent of plastics waste discharges is the plastics waste processor
(PWP). The PWP is in the third year of an accelerated development
schedule at the Navy's David Taylor Research Center. The planned
schedule for completing development and installation of the equip-
ment is presented in Section 3 of this report.
4.2
Without proper equipment on board to compact and sanitize food-
contaminated plastics wastes, Navy ships cannot store such wastes
Inability to
for more than 3 days without causing unacceptable odor problems,
Store Food-
increasing risks of fire and pestilence, and exceeding on board
Contaminated
storage capacity. The Navy assessed various alternatives to discharg-
Plastics On Board
ing food-contaminated plastics waste, including odor barrier bags,
washing and sterilizing wastes, and at-sea waste transfers to garbage
19
May 1993
IMPEDIMENTS TO FULL COMPLIANCE BY 1994
very little personal storage area. Sailors have already given
up personal space to store groceries so ships could complete
operations without resupply. Now, they are giving up more
living space so they can store the trash they once were able to
throw over the side.
Odor Barrier Bags
For the past two years, the Navy has been experimenting with
different materials for making odor barrier bags and different
methods for properly sealing the bags. Navy researchers have
identified a plastic resin that can be fabricated into bags capable of
containing odors from decaying food wastes for 30 days. However,
the bags must be sealed carefully and properly. Two researchers were
needed to manually evacuate and properly seal a bag using a portable
pump and a hand sealer. The researchers did identify and success-
fully test a commercial machine (costing approximately $8,000
each) that allowed one person to evacuate and seal a bag.
The Navy has demonstrated that special odor barrier bags can contain
odors under experimental conditions. However, several practical
problems have not been resolved yet. First, the bags are not
commercially available and would have to be specially fabricated for
the Navy's use. Second, handling and storing large numbers of bags
for up to 30 days without puncturing some bags may be difficult to
achieve in practice. Third, Navy ships do not have sufficient extra
space on board to dedicate to waste storage. Lastly, there are
potential health and fire risks associated with storing bags of food-
contaminated wastes on board for extended periods.
The Navy plans to continue investigating the issues associated with
using odor barrier bags to store food-contaminated plastics wastes on
board for more than 3 days. If suitable storage space can be found
on ships and the health and safety risks are acceptable, odor barrier
bags may be an acceptable option.
May 1993
21
IMPEDIMENTS TO FULL COMPLIANCE BY 1994
Increasing the amount of material transferred by high wire
increases the risk of personnel injuries on the sending and
receiving ships;
Extending the "alongside" period of retrograde waste would
unnecessarily endanger the sending and receiving ships; and
Receiving ships would be exposed to unnecessary
sanitation risks because the ships do not have on board
facilities to properly store the odoriferous and unsanitary
plastics waste.
Garbage Barges
Garbage barges are feasible for waste transferred in port and are used
by the Navy in foreign ports. They are not suitable for routine at-sea
transfers because towing speeds for the barges are too slow to keep
up with ships underway. A fleet of special high-speed garbage ships
would have to be designed, constructed, and maintained for the Navy
to routinely transfer wastes at sea. Such a fleet, again while
theoretically feasible, would be costly and its operation would
impose the same logistical, sanitation, and safety risks as retrograd-
ing wastes at sea.
The potential number and costs of high-speed garbage ships to
service the entire Navy fleet throughout the world can be estimated
by analogy to the Navy's fleet of oilers (i.e., Navy ships that carry and
deliver oil to ships underway). While underway at 12 to 13 knots,
Navy ships typically receive fuel every 3 days from oilers. The fleet
currently includes 34 oilers to maintain the capability to refuel ships
throughout the world's oceans. If a garbage ship were to accompany
each oiler as it delivered fuel, 34 high-speed garbage ships would be
needed. The annual cost per garbage ship could be approximately
$13 million, which is the annual lease price the Navy currently pays
the Military Sealift Command for each high-speed ship that delivers
supplies and retrogrades materials from Navy ships at sea. There-
fore, a fleet of special garbage ships could cost $440 million per year
(once the ships were designed, constructed, and delivered).
May 1993
23
IMPEDIMENTS TO FULL COMPLIANCE BY 1994
While the Navy is making progress with substituting nonplastic
items, packing, and packaging for plastic ones, the prospects for
eliminating a significant portion of plastics taken on Navy ships are
poor. The prospects are worse for significantly reducing the remain-
ing plastics waste discharges (i.e., food-contaminated plastics) by
substituting nonplastic materials. Plastic packaging of foods is so
beneficial for food preservation, freshness, and taste, that the adverse
consequences of switching to nonplastics may exceed the benefits of
reducing plastics on ships.
25
May 1993
5.
Navy Ships That Cannot
Achieve Full Compliance
At this time, the Navy cannot foresee any technological breakthrough
that would allow two categories of ships, submarines and surface
ships operating in special areas, to fully comply with MPPRCA and
Annex V requirements.
5.1
Navy submarines will continue normal waste management practices.
Submarines have extremely limited space and an added requirement
Submarines
to store plastics waste would create unacceptable health and safety
problems. However, submarines have small crews and generate
relatively little plastics waste. The submarine crews currently
remove unnecessary wrappings from supplies before the supplies are
taken on board. At sea, the solid waste is compacted and placed in
sinkable metal containers, which are discharged when the submarine
is operating more than 12 nm from shore and in waters greater than
6,000 feet deep. On-board segregation and storage of plastics on
submarines is not practicable because of space limitations and the
closed environment.
5.2
Navy ships operating for extended periods in special areas designated
by Annex V cannot fully comply with the nonplastic discharge
Ships Operating
limitations of Annex V because of insufficient storage space for solid
in Special Areas
wastes. Annex V prohibits the discharge of any solid waste, except
for food wastes when beyond 12 nautical miles from shore, in
designated special areas (e.g., Mediterranean, Baltic, North, Black,
and Red Seas, and the Persian Gulf area). Once shredders are
installed, Navy ships will shred trash into sinkable forms, but the
ships do not have room to store the bagged trash and must discharge
them overboard if operating for more than three days in a special area.
Many Navy ships will have a metal/glass shredder, solid waste
pulper, and plastic waste processor. Some smaller ships; however,
will be able to only accommodate a shredder or a pulper.
27
May 1993
6.
Beyond Annex V
To protect maritime environmental quality, the Navy is taking
actions that go beyond MPPRCA and Annex V requirements. The
Navy has established the goal of achieving environmentally sound
ships of the 21st century that will be able to treat or destroy all wastes
on board. The Shipboard Solid and Plastics Waste Program will
eliminate floating debris discharges worldwide. The Navy is also
investigating degradable materials and plastics waste recycling
options.
6.1
We expect naval ships operating in the 21st century to meet increas-
Environmentally
ingly stringent environmental regulations. The Navy has a compre-
hensive shipboard pollution abatement program under way that will
Sound Ships
enable ships of the 21st century to be environmentally sound. The
goal is for ships to operate worldwide without potential for regula-
tory constraints, inappropriate dependence on shore facilities, or
unreasonable costs imposed by environmental regulations. The basic
strategy is to:
(1) design and operate ships to minimize waste generation
and optimize waste management, and
(2) develop shipboard systems that will destroy or
appropriately treat the wastes generated on board.
If wastes are unavoidable and cannot be destroyed or retained on
board for recycling ashore, they must be sufficiently treated to make
all overboard discharges environmentally insignificant. We have not
yet achieved the ultimate solution for on-board destruction for any
shipboard wastestream, but we have made considerable progress in
developing on-board capabilities to treat or process solid waste, oily
waste, hazardous materials, and medical waste.
29
May 1993
BEYOND ANNEX V
6.3
Ultimately, it may be possible to recycle the plastic that the ships
Recycling
return to shore, rather than dispose of it in landfills. The Navy is
Plastics Waste
evaluating methods and program options for recycling plastics waste
in partnership with the Society of the Plastics Industry Council for
Solid Waste Solutions. An initial pilot study was conducted in 1990
to recycle plastics waste removed from an aircraft carrier and other
ships. The plastics waste from the ships was washed, separated, and
baled ashore, and then transported to acommercial recycling facility
where it was made into plastic lumber for picnic tables, park benches,
fence posts, and pallets.
The next phase of the Navy's recycling efforts is a larger, areawide
demonstration project around the Norfolk, Virginia Naval complex.
The Norfolk project integrates the plastics waste recycling effort
with an overall program to improve solid waste management and
disposal costs around Norfolk. If successful, the Navy will encour-
age other Navy facilities to undertake similar programs.
Pictured above is a bench made from recycled Navy shipboard plastic waste.
May 1993
31
7.
Recommendations
The Navy offers the following recommendations to the Congress:
1. Modify MPPRCA to exempt Navy submarines from MARPOL
Annex V requirements.
2. Change MPPRCA requirements for surface ships to prohibit
discharge of plastics and "floating" debris, rather than the current
prohibition of all solid wastes discharges (except food wastes
beyond 12 nautical miles) in Annex V special areas.
3. Increase the period for Navy compliance with MPPRCA by 5
years.
The Navy supports a national goal of full compliance with Annex V
requirements and is working hard to achieve that goal. Beyond
Annex V, the Navy has established an objective of achieving
environmentally sound ships of the 21st century. The Navy now is
taking all reasonable measures to minimize discharges in special
areas and from submarines, and will continue searching for suitable
technologies that will treat or destroy all wastes on board. The Navy
will report annually to concerned Federal agencies on the discharges
not authorized under Annex V from submarines and from ships
operating in special areas. The Navy will also submit every 5 years
to concerned Federal agencies a report reviewing the latest technolo-
gies for solid waste management aboard ships, including submarines,
and the suitability of the technologies for Navy ships and submarines.
33
May 1993