INTERIM AUTHORITY FOR DRY BULK CARGO RESIDUE DISPOSAL.

SEC. 623. INTERIM AUTHORITY FOR DRY BULK CARGO RESIDUE DISPOSAL.(a) Extension of Interim Authority.—The Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall continue to implement and enforce United States Coast Guard 1997 Enforcement Policy for Cargo Residues on the Great Lakes (hereinafter 118 STAT. 1064 in this section referred to as the “Policy”) or revisions thereto, in accordance with that policy, for the purpose of regulating incidental discharges from vessels of residues of dry bulk cargo into the waters of the Great Lakes under the jurisdiction of the United States, until the earlier of—(1) the date regulations are promulgated under subsection (b) for the regulation of incidental discharges from vessels of dry bulk cargo residue into the waters of the Great Lakes under the jurisdiction of the United States; or(2) September 30, 2008.(b) Permanent Authority.—Notwithstanding any other law, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may promulgate regulations governing the discharge of dry bulk cargo residue on the Great Lakes.(c) Environmental Assessment.—No later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall commence the environmental assessment necessary to promulgate the regulations under subsection (b).