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:
Thank you for taking action to protect the St. Lawrence River!
I understand that the current population of zebra mussels filters the entire volume of Lake Superior every 3 weeks. A ten year compliance interval for this regulation is laughable in the extreme. This ten year interval allows the marginal enterprise of shipping on the St. Lawrence River to undercut all other enterprises. From tourism to hard fought for programs for water quality, the wait would a silent disaster. Make the regulation effective by the opening of the Seaway 2010.
Comment by Tom Duffy — December 1, 2009 @ 3:14 am
Thank you for being on top of the Ballast Water issue. Since we are regulating ships that are coming into the Great Lakes through the Seaway, other U.S. Ports should be onboard with Ballast Water regulations too! Thank you for making Ballast Water an issue that needs more attention. Once a new regulation is proposed, industry as well as the public has the chance to comment and weigh in with their concerns. Industry and business must help protect our environment because we are all linked in one way or another. The government and regulators must hear our voices as citizens, “we can protect natural resources by protecting our waterways.”
Comment by Julia Gower — December 1, 2009 @ 11:13 am
I am a property owner on the St. Lawrence River and have been for over 50 years. During that time I have seen the destruction of invasive species; zebra mussels, gobies, etc. While I am delighted with the passage of new standards for Lakers and invasive species in general, I am appalled at the length of time given for implementation. We must not wait! The first phase should begin by 2012 with the more stringent rules mandated by 2016. Each year that passes will destroy further our beautiful River.
Comment by Kira D Clark — December 1, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
As a Wellesley Island landowner for almost 20 years, I am well aware of the problems caused by vessels discharging bilge waters containing invasive species that can cause major ecology issues with our beautiful River. although I am pleased with the direction being taken to establish new bilge control standards for ships transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway, the timeframe provided is absurdely too long for implementation. There is no logical excuse for delaying this legislation even a short while. It only takes a few years for another river pollution crisis to happen, and delay could threaten an entire area . . .known as the “fresh water boating capital of the world”.
Comment by Bob Rissberger — December 1, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
I visit a property owner on the St. Lawrence River whos has owned riverfront property since 1968. His grandfather lived on the river in Fineview this is for a total of over 50 years. During that time I have seen the increase in the invasive species; zebra mussels, gobies, etc. While I am impressed with the passage of new standards for Lakers and invasive species, I am appalled at the length of time given for implementation. We cannot wait! The first phase should begin by 2012 with the more stringent rules mandated by 2016. Each year that passes will destroy further the beautiful River. The EPA help make the water fit for swimming and this helped tourism. Ensure the hard fought programs for water quality weren’t in vain, the wait would be a silent disaster. Make the regulation effective by the opening of the Seaway 2010.
Comment by Barbara Hupp — December 1, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Thank you for the efforts on the Ballast Water issue. I’m an active boater on the St. Lawrence and believe other U.S. Ports should be onboard with Ballast Water regulations as well. We all need to work toward protecting our environment. Protecting our waterways is one major step in the right direction. Keep the River beautiful!
Comment by John Enright — December 2, 2009 @ 9:52 am
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.
PLEASE—the US Coast Guard needs to stop introductions of aquatic invasive species into the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes – NOW!!!
Thank you!
Comment by Z — December 2, 2009 @ 7:41 pm
We have vacationed on the River for over 40 years. Five years ago we made Wellesley Island our permanent home. We have witnessed the destruction caused by invasive species. We urge the US Coast Guard to implement this regulations with the opening of the seaway in 2010.
Comment by Mary McNeill — December 4, 2009 @ 10:51 am