Oct 2: The U.S. Coast Guard is holding a hearing in Chicago, on a proposed rule to protect the Great Lakes and other U.S. waters from the introduction of aquatic invasive species via ballast water discharge. Hearings were also held in Seattle, WA (September 28) and New Orleans, LA (September 30). Additional hearings will be held in Washington, DC (October 8), Oakland, CA (October 27) and New York, NY (October 29). The comment period on the proposed rulemaking for Standards for Living Organisms in Ships' Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. Waters [74 FR 44631-44672, 8/28/09]; and a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the standards [74 FR 44673-44674, 8/28/09] ends on November 27, 2009.
Andy Buchsbaum, co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, commented on the proposed regulations and said, “Invasive species from ballast water have infected the Great Lakes like a cancer. We need strong medicine to stop this disease, and we need it fast. The Coast Guard rule could be that medicine -- but right now it’s too slow and it has too many loopholes. The Coast Guard has set a standard that is as environmentally protective as the toughest state law. That’s good. But the timeline for implementing the standard is weak. Ocean-going ships could avoid complying until after 2020. And there are loopholes that extend the deadline even farther. The Great Lakes will be irreparably damaged by that time.
Access a release from HOW (click here). Access the HOW website for more information (click here). Access the proposed rule FR announcement (click here). Access the draft PEIS FR announcement (click here). Access the combined docket USCG-2001-10486 for both actions for complete background and to submit and review comments (click here).
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Dear Sirs, It is important to remember that when addressing the Coast Guard about ballast water , that although sadly the military has found it necessary to intervene to protect America’s water from invasive species, human bacterial pathogens and virus being dumped in our water by domestic and international private enterprise, our country is a democracy. The largest elected legislative voice of the people has already spoken with overwhelming resolve. It was because one Senator, Senator Boxer believes that control of pathogens in water distributed by ballast dumping, capable of spreading to all Americans was a states rights issue. She did not want Federal policy to over ride her states rights. To understand her position you have to look at the time line for new standards that were passed with H.R.2830 vs. her states laws. As no action was taken by the Senate in 2008 and it is now close to 2010 her objections should have less relevance. To believe that because the Coast Guard is asking for public opinion through their forum that their decisions will reflect the wish’s of the American people is to not understand what our democracy is or should be.
Sincerely,
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