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Environmentalists, shippers criticize ballast plan

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 4, 2009 at 6:44 am

Port of Stockton #5 04-2008From the Associated Press:

“TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A government plan to prevent foreign species carried in ship ballast tanks from invading seacoasts, the Great Lakes and inland waterways is riddled with loopholes and would take effect too slowly, environmentalists say.

Shipping companies, meanwhile, contend the regulations proposed by the U.S. Coast Guard would make costly and unreasonable demands while adding to a confusing patchwork of federal and state requirements for handling ballast water.

The Coast Guard is accepting public comments on the rules through Friday and could make changes before issuing a final version, said Cmdr. Tim Cummins of the 9th District Prevision Division in Cleveland. No deadline has been set for completing the regulations.

More than 300 comments had been submitted by Thursday.

Environmentalists have long demanded a crackdown on the dumping of ballast — millions of gallons of water and muck that ships carry to help keep them stable in rough seas. The soupy mixtures often harbor microorganisms, fish and other aquatic life scooped up in overseas ports. … “


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December 4, 2009 · Filed Under National water news

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