Rep. Huffman seeks crackdown on ballast water

June 29, 2022

Marin Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) led over 30 of his colleagues in a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan requesting the agency establish ballast water discharge standards that conform with the Clean Water Act (CWA).

Ballast water, which is carried by ships to adjust buoyancy and trim, is the primary mechanism introducing new invasive species and foreign pathogens into US waters. Ballast water discharges cause billions of dollars of environmental damage, kill native species, and could introduce epidemic diseases into the U.S.

“Ballast water discharges are the leading source of invasive species in U.S. waters, posing public health and environmental risks, as well as significant economic cost to industries such as water and power utilities, commercial and recreational fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. EPA’s compliance with the CWA here is overdue,” the members said in their letter. “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CWA this year, it is time for the EPA to take immediate action to finally establish ballast water standards based on the best available technology as required under the CWA.”

The letter is supported by 74 national, state, and local organizations.

“We need effective ballast water treatment on ships operating in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River,”said John Peach, Executive Director of Save the River/Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper. “Previous invaders like Round Gobies, Rusty Crayfish and Zebra and Quagga Mussels continue to wreak havoc in these water systems.” The U.S. does have the technical ability to capture or kill harmful organisms and pathogens before they are released into waters, but the EPA has not established ballast water standards based on the best available technology, as required under the CWA.

The EPA’s failure to establish effective ballast water discharge standards has resulted in billions of dollars of environmental damage in marine, estuarine, and fresh waters of the United States. Organisms introduced by ballast water prey on native and commercial fish species and foul boats, navigational equipment, and beaches. Additionally, scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Academy of Sciences and the Centers for Disease Control have warned about the potential for ballast water to introduce epidemic diseases into U.S. waters.


Source: Novato Advance