Bill > HR2809

This bill, the Great Lakes Water Protection Act, amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit the dumping of sewage into the Great Lakes. It defines key terms such as "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 into the Great Lakes or their tributaries, including bypasses and combined sewer overflows), and "partially treated sewage" (sewage not meeting national secondary treatment standards or applicable permit requirements). The bill prohibits publicly owned treatment works from performing a bypass unless it's unavoidable to prevent loss of life or severe property damage, there's no feasible alternative, and proper notice is given, or if it's 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, with follow-up and annual publication requirements. Furthermore, it establishes the Great Lakes Cleanup Fund, which will be funded by penalties collected for violations of these new provisions starting in 2035, and these funds will be used by Great Lakes States for programs and activities aimed at improving wastewater discharges and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem.