Bill > S1586

This bill, the Great Lakes Water Protection Act, amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit the dumping of untreated or partially treated sewage into the Great Lakes. It defines key terms like "bypass" (an intentional diversion of waste streams that bypasses treatment and discharges into the Great Lakes), "discharge" (any direct or indirect release of untreated or partially treated sewage), and "partially treated sewage" (sewage not meeting national secondary treatment standards or applicable permit requirements). The bill generally prohibits bypasses unless they are unavoidable to prevent loss of life, injury, or severe property damage, and there's no feasible alternative, or if the bypass is for essential maintenance and doesn't exceed effluent limitations. It also mandates immediate public notice requirements for any discharge, including details on dates, times, volume, and impacted areas, along with follow-up descriptions and annual publication of facilities with such events. Furthermore, it establishes the Great Lakes Cleanup Fund, which will be funded by penalties collected for violations of these new provisions, and this fund will be used to support programs and activities aimed at improving wastewater discharges and protecting Great Lakes habitats.