Posted by Melissa Burlaga
The two Lake Superior lawmakers have been working with the DNR since March to set higher ballast water standards that will protect Great Lakes waters while enabling Wisconsin harbors to compete for commercial shipping.
The lawmakers made their remarks at a press conference in Superior at the Midwest Energy Coal facility to highlight “commonsense regulations that will protect commercial shipping and jobs while protecting the health of our natural resources.”
“This permit provides mutual respect for our precious resource, the Great Lakes and respects commercial users of the resource,” Jauch said. “It represents Wisconsin’s steadfast commitment to reduce invasive species while creating a reasonable and flexible process to enable the shipping industry to adjust to higher standards.”
“Lacking a national ballast water treatment policy it is absolutely necessary for Wisconsin to challenge the status quo and develop stronger action to protect our natural resources,” Milroy stated. “The permit announced by the DNR is responsible and reasonable in moving the shipping industry to upgrade treatment systems so that the systems may more effectively prevent invasive species from threatening our lakes. I am particularly pleased that the permits include a reasonable requirement for Lakers to utilize ‘best management practices’ while imposing the higher standards on ocean going vessels.”
Wisconsin will join New York, Michigan and Minnesota in regulating ballast water but the Wisconsin permit set some of the highest standards in the country to encourage the industry to reduce permanent damage to our Great Lakes from invasive species.
More than 185 invasive species have been identified which are devastating the Great Lakes ecosystem and threaten the recreational, commercial and sports fishery.
The Wisconsin standard follows the existing IMO standard but phases in to 100 times stricter in 2014.
Wisconsin will also establish an advisory committee of shipping, environmental and harbor representatives to recommend achievable levels of compliance.
In August the Coast Guard issued long awaited ballast water treatment requirements that also mimic existing IMO standards and then become 1,000 times stricter in the second phase.
Officials throughout the Great Lakes have been encouraging the federal government to develop a uniform standard so that state policies don’t conflict with each other and pose competitive advantages from one port over the other. “We all share the same resources and it makes clear sense to have one effective standard for every harbor can protect these lakes and our economy,” the lawmakers stated.
Both legislators praised the Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank and his staff for their careful consideration of public comments that have been shared since the original permit was proposed in March. “The Department has implemented a permit that demonstrates their willingness to work with both environmental and maritime industry representatives to implement a policy that works for all. It is gratifying to see the positive result,” they stated.
“Today’s announcement shows that this process does work well when the Department works with Legislators and public interests in a cooperative fashion,” Milroy stated. “I, and many of my colleagues, have long desired a strong permit that will address these costly and damaging invasive species and are grateful for the final product that will care for the lakes while protecting the vitally important industry that relies upon them.”
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