MPRSA Research Permits
EPA may issue research permits for the disposition of materials into the ocean as part of a research project when it is determined that the scientific merit of the proposed project outweighs the potential environmental or other damage that may result from dumping. Research permits cannot be issued for the disposition of materials specified in 40 CFR 227.5 (prohibited materials) or for any of the materials listed in 40 CFR 227.6 (prohibited constituents except as trace contaminants), unless subject to the exclusion of 40 CFR 227.6(g). Research permits may be issued for up to 18 months.
Ocean sites for activities permitted under an MPRSA research permit are identified in the permit and depend on the nature of the proposed study. The EPA considers the general and specific marine protection criteria (40 CFR 228.5 and 228.6) when evaluating alternative sites and selecting a preferred site in order to minimizes any potential adverse impacts to the marine environment.
Examples of MPRSA Research Permits
Between 1974 and 1982, the EPA issued research permits under the MPRSA for incineration-at-sea to evaluate the efficiencies of special shipboard incinerators for destroying liquid hazardous wastes. Since that time, MPRSA amendments have prohibited the disposition of industrial wastes at sea. Since 1982, the EPA has issued research permits under the MPRSA including for:
- Ocean disposal of fish wastes
- LOC-NESS Wilkinson Basin Study Research Permit No. EPA-HQ-MPRSA-2024-002
Proposed research activities - including field research trials - that involve the disposition of material into a body of water likely need a permit from the EPA or a state with delegated permitting authority. An MPRSA permit may be needed for marine carbon dioxide removal or marine solar radiation management if the activities involve the disposition of material into the ocean environment.