News
Release
July 24.2006
Sewage Dumping Banned, New Laws Protect Our Coastal Waters
PORT MOODY
-
MP James Moore, Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific
Gateway, announced new regulations by the Conservative Government
that will protect Canada's coastal waters from sewage, garbage, oil
and other pollutants. Among the regulations is a complete ban
on the dumping of untreated sewage from all boats and ships along
Canada's coastal waters. "This really is a great leap forward in new laws that
will protect the beauty of our coasts, clean our waterways, and
defend our environment," says Moore.
The regulations cover a wide variety of issues intended to reduce or
eliminate pollution by oil, chemicals, sewage, garbage, anti-fouling
paints and air emissions from ships. Some of the main provisions
are:
-
An absolute
ban on the dumping of untreated sewage within
3 nautical miles
of Canada's coasts for pleasure craft and small ships (less than
400 tons)
-
An absolute
ban on the dumping of untreated sewage within 12 nautical miles
of Canada's coasts for large ships (larger than 400 tons)
-
A requirement for new oil tankers to be double-hulled and existing
oil tankers to be phased-out
-
A requirement for ships to fit oily
water filtering equipment to prevent harmful discharges of oily
bilge water
-
A requirement for record-keeping for
operations involving oil, chemicals, sewage or garbage
-
A
requirement for ships to be surveyed and certified that they meet
construction and equipment requirements relating to oil,
chemicals,
sewage, air emissions and anti-fouling paints.
Penalties for
violating these new laws include possible fines of $250,000 to
$1,000,000, or jail time of up to 3 years.
"Canada has over 202,000 kms of coastline that deserve the best
possible protection. These are effective and tough regulations
that will help keep our coasts clean," says Moore.
Belcarra Mayor Ralph Drew, who has called for these new regulations
for years, is applauding the news. "Belcarra Council is very
pleased that the Federal Government is pursuing these progressive
measures to protect the marine environment. Belcarra residents have
wanted to see these measures implemented for many years to protect
the unique deep-water fjord of Indian Arm."
Concluded Moore, "All Canadians cherish our environment and these
new regulations will serve to protect the beauty of Canada's
coasts."
-30-
For more
information, email
moorej0@parl.gc.ca or call 613.992.9650
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