ALBANY, N.Y. - Boats are allowed to dump their toilets into the waters of the St. Lawrence River, but that's about to change.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that a "no discharge zone" can be established for the New York portion of the river. The state Department of Environmental Conservation petitioned the EPA to take that action to prohibit sewage-dumping from boats.
The state and federal agencies determined that the St. Lawrence has enough pump-out facilities to remove waste from all types of vessels.
The EPA is taking public comment on its proposed approval of a "no discharge zone" until April 25.
New York waters already established as "no discharge zones" include Lakes Erie, Ontario, Champlain, and George, the New York State Canal System and the Hudson River, among others.
