This video produced by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, depicts the ecological, social and financial impact Cladophora, a native type of green algae, has on Lake Michigan.  Although Lake Michigan is the focal point of the video, the relevance to Lake Ontario, in particular Wilson Beach, can easily be applied. Save The River’s beachwatch program has found a correlation between high levels of bacteria and significant algae at Wilson’s Beach, a problem explored in this video.

Relevance To Beach Watch

The continued correlation over several years between the occurrence of Cladophora and unsafe bacteria levels at Wilson Beach, in Cape Vincent, suggests that the ecological scenario portrayed in the video is what is occurring. 

Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information on our Beach Watch program, please stop by the office or call, 315-686-2010.

Great Lakes United * Healing Our Waters Coalition * Save The River

Buffalo, N.Y. (MARCH 24) —As the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway prepares to open for its 51st season, conservation groups are once again calling for protections from aquatic invasive species introduced and spread from ballast water of commercial vessels.

“Invasive species continue to take a staggering financial toll on people, businesses and communities,” said Jennifer Nalbone, director of navigation and invasive species for Great Lakes United. “Each year, on the eve of a new shipping season, we call on the nation and the shipping community to slam the door on this problem, because it will only get worse and more costly.”

Invasive species introduced by foreign vessels cost the eight-state region at least $200 million per year in damages and control costs. The No. 1 way non-native species enter the Great Lakes is through ballast water discharge of foreign vessels. Lakers, vessels that never leave the Great Lakes, do not introduce new invasive species from overseas but can spread species from lake to lake. Despite recent progress last year, including a rulemaking proposed by the U.S. Coast Guard, and the emergence of state regulations under the Clean Water Act, sophisticated ballast water treatment and technology has not yet been implemented onboard foreign vessels or lakers. Currently the most stringent regulations for foreign vessels coming to the Great Lakes are two physical methods of management: ballast water exchange, which has been required in the Great Lakes region since 1996, and flushing of empty tanks (for vessels termed “no ballast on board”), which was imposed by Canada in 2006 and the St. Lawrence Seaway in 2008.

The shipping industry is responsible for over 65 percent of invasive species introductions since the opening of the Seaway in 1959. States across the Great Lakes region began passing state laws mandating that foreign ships treat their ballast water after continued failure by the federal government to put in place national ballast water protections. While the pending Coast Guard rule offers some hope for a strong, uniform national program, the rule is not yet finalized. The shipping industry has vigorously challenged in court state regulations to stop invasive species from entering the Great Lakes and has also begun to lobby Congress for loopholes that could delay implementation by lakers of the pending Coast Guard rule.

“For those of us living along the St. Lawrence River, it’s hard to watch the ships start coming in as a new Seaway season starts, knowing that more still needs to be done to clean up ballast tanks,” said Jennifer Caddick, executive director for Save The River. “The shipping industry must do its part by adopting—rather than fighting—solutions that prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species into the Great Lakes and other U.S. waters.”

Stopping aquatic invasive species is a pillar of Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery. The Brookings Institution found that restoring the Lakes will bring the eight-state region at least $2 in economic benefit for every $1 investment. In November 2009 President Obama signed into law the historic Great Lakes Restoration Initiative which allocated $475 million dollars towards lake restoration programs in the eight Great Lakes states. It focuses investments in solutions to control aquatic invasive species, clean up contaminated sediments, restore wetlands and other habitat that protect water quality, prevent flooding, and provide the foundation of the region’s outdoor economy.

“The nation is making great strides to advance Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “Investing in restoration projects now while shutting the door once and for all on invasive species will create jobs and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity.”

For more information:

More information about ways the shipping industry and Seaway can improve their environmental performance: www.abetterseaway.com.

More information on efforts to restore the Great Lakes: www.healthylakes.org

Contacts:

Jennifer Nalbone, Great Lakes United: 716-983-3831; jen@glu.org

Jeff Skelding, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition: 410-242-2704; jskelding@nwf.org

Jennifer Caddick, Save The River: 315-686-2010; jennifer@savetheriver.org

Action Alert! Tell the Coast Guard to Implement Strict Ballast Clean-Up Rules!
Comment deadline Friday, December 4

After years of inaction, the U.S. Coast Guard is poised to fix one of the most troublesome problems facing the St. Lawrence River’s fish and wildlife: aquatic invasive species. Citizen groups and individuals are invited to submit comments on this important process until Friday, December 4.

Aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and round gobies, are one of the most significant threats to the St. Lawrence River environment. More than 65% of the aquatic invasive species found in the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes have been brought in via ballast tanks of ships transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway. These invaders threaten the River ecosystem, our regional economy and our way of life. Once here, they cannot be eradicated. The only option for protecting the St. Lawrence River from further invasive species damage is to end new introductions.

Earlier this fall, the United States Coast Guard proposed a new rule that would that would require ships transiting any waters of the United States, including the St. Lawrence Seaway, to clean-up their ballast tanks. This rule could be a groundbreaking regulation and could be the strongest effort yet in the fight to stop aquatic invasive species introductions!

But the proposed rule allows polluters too much time to fix the problem. Ships could avoid compliance for another ten years unless timelines are shortened. We need to tell the Coast Guard in no uncertain terms that it needs to stop introductions of aquatic invasive species into the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes – now!

A few facts about the rule:

• The final standard for ballast water discharges is excellent, and as good as the strongest state standard on the books, such as New York and California.

• The timeline for implementing the final standard is weak. Ships could avoid complying until after 2020.

• The rules apply to ‘lakers’, vessels that operate exclusively in the Great Lakes. Although Lakers do not introduce new species, they do contribute to the problem by spreading species within the region.

• There is a clause included in the rule, (called the “feasibility review” of technology) that could endlessly delay implementation of the final standard.

It’s critical for the administration to get this right the first time so there are no further delays to getting technology installed on board ships.

Take Action!

The U.S. Coast Guard will be facing opposition from industry about this proposed rule, and therefore it’s essential that they hear from citizens who want the River protected!

Write the U.S. Coast Guard to let them know that you support the proposed discharge standard but that the timeline should be shortened.

Points to include in your letter:

• Support the proposed final standard that is equivalent to the most stringent state standards, currently 1000 times greater than the International Maritime Organization standard.

• Support the application of the rules to Lakers.

• Urge a shorter timeline, including adoption of the first phase of clean-up technologies no later than 2012 with a final deadline for the strictest standards no later than 2016.

• Urge a firm deadline for ‘feasiblity reviews’, endless delay is not acceptable.

• And, let the U.S. Coast Guard know how aquatic invasive species have impacted you and why you feel that strong standards should be in place as quickly as possible.

How to Submit Comments:

Submit comments online by Friday, December 4th.

For More Information

For more information about the impact of aquatic invasive species on the River, visit Save The River’s Clean Up the Ballast Campaign page.

And, the U.S. Coast Guard has plenty of information about the proposed rule including:

• the proposed rule and instructions for submitting written comments,

• a summary fact sheet on the rulemaking, and

• an overview of the implementation timeline.

Thank you for taking action to protect the St. Lawrence River!

Action Needed Now: Speak at a Chicago Public Meeting on Invasive Species in Ballast Water Friday October 2nd!

The United States Coast Guard recently proposed a new rule that would limit the number of invasive species that cargo vessels are allowed to discharge into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. This could be a groundbreaking regulation that the lakes have been waiting on for over a decade.

But the proposed rule isn’t strong enough to protect the River and Lakes as quickly as needed. We need to tell the Coast Guard in no uncertain terms that it needs to stop introductions of aquatic invasive species into the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes – now!

A few facts about the rule:

• The final standard for ballast water discharges is excellent, and as good as the strongest state standard on the books (California’s).
• The timeline for implementing the final standard is weak. Ships could avoid complying until after 2020.
• There is a “feasibility review” of technology that could endlessly delay implementation of the final standard.
• It’s critical for the administration to get this right the first time so there are no further delays to getting technology installed on board ships.

You can let the Coast Guard know what you think about stopping the tide of invaders into the Great Lakes this Friday, October 2nd from 9 AM – 4 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Chicago at 10 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; phone: 312-595-0000. We recommend arriving early as the meeting could conclude after “all matters of discussion have been addressed,” according to the Coast Guard.

Download the proposed rule and instructions for submitting written comments here

Download the draft programmatic environmental impact statement here.

Download a summary fact sheet on the rulemaking.

Download an overview of the implementation timeline.

And, for more information about the impact of aquatic invasive species on the River, visit Save The River’s Clean Up the Ballast Campaign page.

If you need more information or help preparing comments for the hearing, call Jennifer Caddick at Save The River for more information (315) 686-2010 or jennifer@savetheriver.org.

Let Us Know How it Goes!

We’d love to hear back from anyone who attends the hearing! Give us a call at (315) 686-2010 or e-mail us at striver@savetheriver.org to let us know what you heard.

Great news arrived on Friday afternoon (May 29th) that the New York State Supreme Court has thrown out a lawsuit brought by the shipping industry challenging New York State’s tough new ballast rules.

You may recall that last winter New York State enacted tough, new rules to regulate ship ballast tanks as part of efforts to stop aquatic invasive species introductions. Save The River and regional environmental groups applauded the rules.

The New York State Attorney General’s office announced on Friday, May 29th, that the lawsuit had been thrown out of court, which means that the State can continue to implement the rules. While the issue is far from over, we’re encouraged by this forward progress and continue to applaud New York’s actions to regulate ship ballast.

The St. Lawrence Seaway agencies recently put out a press release trumpeting the success of their new ballast inspection program: New Federal Report Highlights Improvement in Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System Ballast Water Inspection Process. Unfortunately, the standard that is being enforced is not nearly strong enough. Read on for Save The River’s response, which also ran as a letter to the editor in this week’s Thousand Island Sun.

Aquatic invasive species, including critters like the zebra mussel and round goby, are one of the most significant threats facing the River today. More than 180 aquatic invasive species are found in the River and Great Lakes, with nearly 2/3 of those having been brought in via ballast tanks on ocean-going ships.

Save The River applauds the increased inspection of vessels entering the St. Lawrence Seaway. Unfortunately, the article fails to note that increased inspection will not stop aquatic invasive species introductions because the standard being enforced is not nearly strong enough.

Currently, ocean-going vessels are only required to flush their tanks with ocean water prior to entering the Seaway. Ballast tank flushing is better than no treatment at all but not nearly enough to definitively halt further introductions. In January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Center for Environmental Assessment, released a report that finds: “Despite these procedures [ballast flushing] and subsequent regulations, it is likely that nonindigenous species will continue to arrive in the Great Lakes.”

As a new shipping season is about to start, the agencies regulating shipping on the St. Lawrence Seaway are once again playing Russian roulette with our River by allowing ships with poorly treated ballast tanks to enter the Seaway. Alternatives exist for moving the limited amount of goods that arrive via ocean-going vessels. Until much more stringent ballast treatment technology is onboard each and every ocean-going vessel transiting the River, these ships must not be prohibited from entering the Seaway.

To learn more about the impacts of aquatic invasive species and what you can do, visit our Clean Up the Ballast campaign webpage.

The past few months have seen a flurry of activity and news about aquatic invasive species and ballast – read on for a round-up of recent news!

Aquatic Invasive Species Damage Severely Impacting Regions beyond Great Lakes

Dan Egan, a reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, has written a great piece – Great Lakes scourge infects West (MJS, 2/21/09) – which details the impact aquatic invasive species that are brought in via ships on the Great Lakes are having on the rest of the country. These critters, particularly zebra mussels, are not just harming the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, they’re impacting nearly every waterway in the U.S. It’s an eye-opening article and should be yet another wake-up call for immediately implementing strict federal ballast regulations on the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River.

States Stepping in to Regulate Ballast in Absence of Strong Federal Rules

Egan followed up a few days later with a report focusing on the efforts being made by Great Lakes states to clean up ship ballast tanks – Patchwork ballast rules emerging to battle invaders. (MJS, 3/1/09). Because of the lack of coordinated federal action, states are being forced to step up and implement their own regulations. It’s not a perfect solution, as Egan’s article highlights, but it’s an attempt to stop the invasive species disaster.

As Save The River members know, New York state has taken a leadership role in creating strong state-level regulations, which we heartily applaud. In addition to supporting state efforts, Save The River continues to press for strong federal ballast treatment regulations.

Good News at EPA

In a speech to the Great Lakes Commission in February, the new Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Lisa Jackson, committed to reconsidering the weak EPA ballast permit. The Associated Press reported on her remarks in this story: EPA chief reconsidering ship ballast permit. Earlier this winter, as the result of a court order, the EPA released a permit program under the Clean Water Act to address aquatic invasive species introductions by ships. Unfortunately, the program did not set a discharge standard that was a strict as has been proposed in federal legislation. It’s exciting news to hear that the EPA is willing to step back and re-examine their weak program.

Learn More and Take Action

To learn more about the aquatic invasive species issue visit the following sites:

• Save The River’s Clean Up the Ballast Campaign
• Great Lakes United special report – 20 Years of the Zebra Mussel
  
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Special Report: Great Lakes, Great Peril

Urge Congress to take action! Call your representatives in Congress and urge them to pass strong ballast clean up legislation this session! Not sure who represents you in Congress? Visit this handy page to find out.

New York to Adopt Tough, New Policies to Stop Devastating Aquatic Invasive Species Introductions

Environmental and Conservation Groups Applaud New Ballast Treatment Regulations

December 18, 2008 (Albany, NY) – Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River advocates today applauded New York State’s latest effort to shut the door on aquatic invasive species introductions. Later this month, a new set of rules from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will begin a countdown to requiring stringent ballast treatment onboard ships transiting the state’s waters. Ship ballast is the primary pathway for aquatic invasive species introductions into the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system and the state’s strong ballast treatment standard makes New York State a world leader in stopping aquatic invasive species noted the groups.

Aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and round gobies, are one of the most significant environmental threats to the health of the River and Lakes. Invasive species foul beaches, wreak havoc on the fishery, clog water intake valves of cities and utilities, and harm fish and wildlife. Aquatic invasive species cost the eight Great Lakes states and its citizens at least $200 million per year, according to researchers at Notre Dame University.

New York State’s new rules, which will go into effect on December 19th, are among the strictest ballast treatment rules in the country. Per the rule, all ships traveling state waters will be required, by January 1, 2012, to have ballast treatment technology on board. Treating ballast water will prevent further introductions of aquatic invasive species.

“In the absence of strong federal ballast clean-up legislation, we are pleased that New York State has stepped up to create strong ballast rules,” noted Jennifer J. Caddick, Save The River Executive Director. “Stringent technology requirements for ships operating throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway will be key in stopping more devastating aquatic invasive species introductions.”

“The New York rule can help prevent the arrival of the next invasive species or pathogen, like the deadly VHS virus. Requiring ballast treatment is critical and will spur real action at the local and federal level to stop new aquatic invaders once and for all,” added Dereth Glance, Executive Program Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

While the conservation groups are supportive of state action, the coalition continues to urge federal Congressional action.

“We know that invasive species deplete our fisheries, damage our economy, and harm some of our greatest public resources. But federal leadership to solve the problem has been sorely lacking. Environmental Advocates of New York applauds the Department of Environmental Conservation for its strong stance and calls on the U.S. Congress to do the same and make similar protections a national standard,” said Katherine Nadeau, Water & Natural Resources Program Association, Environmental Advocates of New York.

“Aquatic invasive species and diseases pose an imminent and growing threat to both freshwater and marine biodiversity in New York’s waters, and Audubon New York commends the DEC for advancing this strong program to curb this threat,” said Sean Mahar, director of Government Relations and Communications for Audubon New York. “As New York’s proposed program is a strong step forward, it is critical, however, for effective regulations to be uniformly implemented across the nation to prevent the introduction and spread of both invasive species and diseases. We strongly urge the federal government to follow New York’s leadership and implement a strong and effective federal program.”

###
For more information, contact:
Audubon New York: Sean Mahar, (518) 253-7000
Citizens Campaign for the Environment: Dereth Glance, (315) 472-1339
Environmental Advocates of New York: Erica Ringewald, (518) 210-9903
Save The River: Jennifer Caddick, (315) 686-2010

‘Pass Strong, Federal Protections Now,’ Urge Conservation Groups

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (Aug. 5, 2008)—The Great Lakes will remain vulnerable to aquatic invasive species if a weak EPA permit goes into effect, asserted conservation groups in public comments submitted on Friday. The Great Lakes advocates urged the U.S. Senate to pass quickly federal legislation to address the serious and ongoing threat of invasive species.

“EPA whiffed on the chance to stop ocean-going ships from discharging invasive species from their ballast water into the Great Lakes,” said Andy Buchsbaum, regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office. “EPA’s proposed permit requires these ships to do nothing more to their ballast water discharges into the Great Lakes than they do today. While we urge the EPA to comply with the Clean Water Act and revise its weak, status-quo permit, the most effective solution to the invasive species threat is for the U.S. Senate to act now to pass strong, national protections before invasive species cause the collapse of the lakes.”

EPA proposed the permit following two court decisions finding that the agency has for more than 30 years illegally exempted ballast water discharges from its Clean Water Act discharge permit program. Under the proposed permit ocean vessels entering U.S. waters would have to exchange their ballast or perform a saltwater flush of empty ballast tanks in the open ocean for the next five years. This practice is already in place for vessels entering the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River. The permit is set to go in to effect Sept. 30.

“EPA is sidestepping its responsibility to force ships to achieve water quality standards,” said Joel Brammeier, vice president for policy for the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “Zero discharge of invasive species is the only option. Under the draft permit, you can’t get there from here. The U.S. Senate can pass today legislation that will provide strong, effective and immediate protection from invasive species to the citizens, businesses and cities which rely on the Great Lakes.”

Comment on EPA’s permit comes as tough, federal legislation to halt the influx of invasive species into the Great Lakes and other U.S. waters is stalled in Congress. Legislation passed in the House of Representatives and pending in the Senate would require ocean vessels to meet environmentally protective standards through installation of technology to clean ballast before discharge. The timeline for installation begins in 2009, culminating in all ocean vessels being equipped with technology by 2012. The conservation groups submitting comments support passage of ballast water legislation.

“The EPA permit delays any serious solution to this problem for the foreseeable future,” said Jennifer Nalbone, campaign director of navigation and invasive species for Great Lakes United. “The quickest way to improve protections is by passing ballast water legislation currently stalled in the U.S. Senate. That legislation will require technology installation onboard vessels as early as next year.”

The No. 1 way non-native species like the zebra mussel enter the Great Lakes is through ballast water discharge from ocean-going vessels. Over 60 percent of all non-native invaders discovered since the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 are attributable to ballast water discharge from ocean-going vessels. One new non-native species is discovered, on average, in the Great Lakes every 28 weeks.

Invasive species foul beaches, wreak havoc on the fishery, clog water intake valves of cities and utilities, and harm fish and wildlife. Invasive species are crashing the food chain. Aquatic invasive species cost the eight Great Lakes states and its citizens at least $200 million per year, according to researchers at Notre Dame University. Many scientists believe that invasive species are the worst problem facing the Great Lakes.

“In the global economy, plant and animal species show up where they don’t belong,” said Dr. Grenetta Thomassey, policy director for Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. “When conditions are right, they invade ecosystems and dependant economies with terrible consequences.  In the Great Lakes region, we are experiencing some of the worst cases of freshwater invasions in the world. It’s time for everyone concerned – including the EPA – to take effective steps to slam the door on the rapid rate of new invaders.”

“The Great Lakes fishery is critically important to the millions of anglers that use the lakes on an annual basis,” said George Meyer, executive director for the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. “The financial loss caused by the presence of invasive species is damaging to the important tourism industry of the Great Lakes states.”

In written comments, the conservation groups assert that the EPA needs to revise the permit to meet water quality standards.

The groups also assert that the agency does not have the authority to issue a general permit—the EPA has delegated to the states the ability to administer Clean Water Act discharge permit program. While the conservation groups maintain that the quickest way to gain new protections is through Congressional action, they nevertheless are pursuing all opportunities to put in place strong, national protections and want the EPA to revise the weak permit because the federal agency has not delegated authority to every state and a strong permit can serve as a model for state programs

National Wildlife Federation submitted comments on behalf of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Great Lakes United, Indiana Wildlife Federation, League of Ohio Sportsmen, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Minnesota Conservation Federation, Ohio Environmental Council, Prairie Rivers Network, Save the River, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

“Each day here on the St. Lawrence River, we watch as ocean-going vessels make their way into the Great Lakes, each possibly carrying the next devastating invasive species,” said Jennifer J. Caddick, Save The River executive director. “It is appalling that the U.S. EPA has put forth a new proposed permit that continues current, ineffective programs, which continue this game of Russian roulette with the river and lakes.”

“EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, as chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, has personally witnessed the destruction that invasive species have caused to the Great Lakes ecosystem,” said Donna Stine, senior policy director for Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “And this havoc doesn’t just stop at the Great Lakes. Zebra mussels are now turning up in Western states. That EPA has chosen to ignore the program is unconscionable. Michigan hunters and anglers expect more.  It is time that this national disaster is addressed by the U.S. Senate passing federal legislation that slams the door on invasive species.”

“Lake Superior is a regional treasure and deserves to be protected,” said Gary Botzek, executive director of the Minnesota Conservation Federation. “The EPA permit just rubber stamps management practices that have already been put in place by the Coast Guard and Seaway. This permit needs significant improvements if it’s going to protect our waters to the fullest, which is why the U.S. Senate needs to step up to the plate now and pass ballast water legislation that will quickly and effectively put protections in place for the citizens, businesses and communities which rely on the Great Lakes.”

“It is unbelievable that 20 years after the invasion of the zebra mussel the U.S. EPA proposes weak ballast water provisions as the solution to slamming the door on aquatic invasive species via ballast water,” said Kristy Meyer, agricultural & clean water programs managing director for the Ohio Environmental Council.  ”More than 180 invasive species have become established in the Great Lakes since 1959.  Once these destructive pests get a toehold, it is virtually impossible to limit their expansion and their destruction.  It is up to the U.S. Senate to really protect our drinking water, our economy, our livelihood.  They should follow the lead of the U.S. House of Representatives and pass strong ballast water legislation this year.”

“The Great Lakes are facing catastrophic and permanent damage from invasive species,” Buchsbaum said. “But EPA’s permit does nothing to protect them. We need the U.S. Senate to act now to shut the door on invasive species. The future of the lakes is at stake.”

For more information, including the full comments by the conservation organization, visit: http://www.nwf.org/greatlakes

For Immediate Release:
 August 5, 2008

Contact:

• Jordan Lubetkin, National Wildlife Federation, (734) 887-7100
• Andy Buchsbaum, National Wildlife Federation, (734) 717-3665

• Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes, (312) 939-0838 x 224

• Jennifer Nalbone, Great Lakes United, (716) 213-0408
• Grenetta Thomassey, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, (231) 347-1181 x 115

• George Meyer, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, (608) 516-5545
• Jennifer J. Caddick, Save The River, (315) 686-2010
• Donna Stine, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, (517) 346-6487
• Gary Botzek, Minnesota Conservation Federation, (651) 293-9295
• Kristy Meyer, The Ohio Environmental Council, (614) 487-7506

Save The River kicked off its Clean Up the Ballast Campaign by endorsing a Great Lakes United petition calling for an immediate moratorium on ocean-going ships. The petition calls for a moratorium until strong ballast protections are in place to prevent new aquatic invasive species introductions into the River and Great Lakes. Individuals, businesses and organizations can sign on to the petition at www.saltfreelakes.org

For more information:

• ‘Clean Up the ballast Campaign’ launched Watertown Daily Times 4.23.07
• STR Ballast campaign fact sheet  
• STR Invasive species fact sheet