Question of the Month
January
2007
How are Midwestern
states trying to control the introduction of invasive species, via
ballast water, into the Great Lakes?
The spread of invasive species is a
serious threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem. With no natural predators
in their new environment, aquatic invaders — which include the zebra
mussel, sea lamprey and round goby — have the potential to harm
native organisms, wreak environmental havoc and transport foreign
diseases. They also cost billions of dollars in damages and mitigation
efforts.
According to the Great Lakes Research
Laboratory (a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration), more than 180 non-native species have been reported
in the Great Lakes; on average, a new one is discovered every 28
weeks. These invaders most commonly make it to the Great Lakes via the
ballast water of ocean-going vessels.
It comes as no surprise, then, that
states are seeking ways to strengthen ballast water regulations. Under
rules that took effect in Michigan this month, ocean-going
vessels wanting to use the state’s ports must either 1) prove that
they will not discharge ballast water or 2) be equipped with on-board
technology that prevents the release of aquatic nuisance species. The
new regulations are the result of two bills (House Bill 4603 and
Senate Bill 3320) passed in 2005 by the Legislature. Over the past two
years, similar legislation has been introduced, but not passed, in Illinois,
Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Some of these
measures, including the approved Michigan legislation, also call for
states’ ballast water regulations to be harmonized through the work
of a new coalition of Great Lakes states. The coalition would create
basin-wide laws that stop the introduction of invasive species.
State interest in the ballast water
issue is due in part to concerns about the lack of action at the
federal level, where legislative efforts to replace or strengthen
current U.S. law have languished. In 2006, the Indiana General
Assembly passed a resolution urging Congress "to acknowledge the
national urgency of this problem and move quickly to enact federal
legislation to establish a strong ballast water regulatory
program."
The issue also is a top concern across
the border. This summer, the Canadian government put stricter ballast
water regulations in place. Information on those rules is available at
www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2006/06-h069e.htm#bg.
For
more information on this or any other public policy issue, please call
630-925-1922 or complete the online
form for research services.
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