Assignment #5, Part 3

H.R. 54 was introduced in January 6, 2009 by Illinois Representatives Mark Kirk and Daniel Lipinski. The purpose of H.R. 54 is "to amend the Federal Water Pollution COntrol Act to establish a deadline for restricting sewage dumping into the Great Lakes and to fund programs and activities for improving wastewater discharges into the Great Lakes" (H.R. 54). In short, this bill may be called the "Great Lakes Water Protection Act" (H.R. 54). The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I assume it went to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, although the website does not specify which subcommittee it is currently in.

The bill would prohibit any publicly owned treatment works from intentionally bypassing a treatment facility and dumping waste into the Great Lakes. The bill does make provisions for loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and if there is not a feasible alternative to the bypass (intentional diversion of waste from a treatment facility into the Great Lakes) (H.R. 54). If a bypass is necessary, the publicly owned treatment works must provide proof that steps have been taken or planned in order to prevent another bypass in the future (H.R. 54).

If the bill passes, it would also increase the maximum civil penalty for violations. Starting January 1, 2029, the maximum civil penalty for violations would be $100,000 per day. H.R. 54 will also create a Great Lakes Clean-up Fund. Appropriations would come from the fines collected for violations starting January 1, 2029. The funds will the be distributed to the Great Lakes States for habitat protection, wetland restoration, and programs for the improvement of wastewater discharges ( H.R. 54).