Oct 21, 2026· Comment submitted by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) et al. (Attachment 1 of 6)· EPA-HQ-OW-2026-6965-0108
Supporting sources for NRDC et al. comments (Attachment 1 of 6).
EPARulemakingEPA-HQ-OW-2026-6965
Updates to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Definitions and Exclusions
RIN
2040-AG56
Last modified
Oct 26, 2026
Comment window
closes in 13d
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filings
7
Activity
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed 7 comments on this docket between Oct 21, 2026 and Oct 21, 2026. 13 other organizations filed here. The comment window closes in 13d.
What Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed (7)
Oct 21, 2026· Comment submitted by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) et al.· EPA-HQ-OW-2026-6965-0107
On behalf of NRDC, Conservation Law Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Friends of Earth, Oceana, and Surfrider Foundation we urge the Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw the proposed rulemaking. Our comments highlight the potential danger of the proposed rule in two specific industries: seabed mineral extraction and seafood processing.
Oct 21, 2026· Comment submitted by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) et al. (Attachment 2 of 6)· EPA-HQ-OW-2026-6965-0109
Supporting sources for NRDC et al. comment. Attachment 2 of 6.
Oct 21, 2026· Comment submitted by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) et al. (Attachment 3 of 6)· EPA-HQ-OW-2026-6965-0110
Supporting sources for NRDC et al. comment. Attachment 3 of 6.
Oct 21, 2026· Comment submitted by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) et al. (Attachment 5 of 6)· EPA-HQ-OW-2026-6965-0112
Supporting sources for NRDC et al. comment. Attachment 5 of 6.
Oct 21, 2026· Comment submitted by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) et al. (Attachment 4 of 6)· EPA-HQ-OW-2026-6965-0111
Supporting sources for NRDC et al. comment. Attachment 4 of 6.
Oct 21, 2026· Comment submitted by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) et al. (Attachment 6 of 6)· EPA-HQ-OW-2026-6965-0113
Supporting sources for NRDC et al. comment. Attachment 6 of 6.
Abstract
The proposal would revise the regulatory definition of “discharge of a pollutant” to align with the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) definition of “discharge of a pollutant” or “discharge.” The regulatory definition would be updated to reflect the statutory exclusion of vessels and other floating craft that add pollutants in the contiguous zone or the ocean from NPDES program requirements. The proposed rule would also make conforming and clarifying changes to the NPDES regulatory exclusion for vessels and other floating craft. The result of the proposed rule, if finalized, would be that the addition of pollutants by a vessel or other floating craft in the contiguous zone or the ocean that is not secured to the seabed would not be a discharge and would not require NPDES permit authorization.
View on regulations.gov →Co-filers (13)
See everyone who commented →- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)THIS ORG7 filings · confidence 97%
- Alaska Longline Fishermen's Associationtrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 85%
- Animal Welfare Institutetrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 97%
- Association of Clean Water Administratorstrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 85%
- Bering Sea Fishermen's Associationtrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 85%
- Center for Biological Diversity1 filing · confidence 97%
- Environmental Law Institutetrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 85%
- Environmental Protection Network (EPN)trade assoc.1 filing · confidence 97%
- Freezer Longline Coalitiontrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 85%
- International Association of Drilling Contractorstrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 85%
- National Federation of Independent Businesstrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 97%
- Pacific Whiting Conservation Cooperativeunverified attribution1 filing · confidence 70%
- The Aleut Corporationunverified attribution1 filing · confidence 70%
- Tribal Caucus members of EPA Region 10’s Tribal Operations Committeetrade assoc.1 filing · confidence 85%