Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2011

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to allow a person owning, operating, or chartering by demise a commercial vessel to discharge ballast water into navigable waters only if the discharge: (1) meets the ballast water performance standard, qualifies as a safety exemption, meets the requirements of an alternative method of compliance and the vessel operates exclusively within a geographically limited area or operates pursuant to a geographic restriction, or is made into a facility that meets applicable standards; and (2) is in accordance with an approved ballast water management plan. Exempts specified vessels. Requires owners or operators to: (1) conduct ballast water treatment before discharging ballast water using a ballast water treatment technology certified for the vessel; and (2) ensure that any ballast water discharge meets the numerical ballast water performance standard set forth in the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments or a revised standard. Authorizes an owner or operator to discharge ballast water without regard …