The EPA must follow Canada's lead and issue new rules for ballast water to protect the Great Lakes
Last week Canada issued new rules requiring all vessels stopping at Canadian ports to have ballast water treatment systems in place by 2030. While this may seem like a niche issue, reports have shown us that ships contribute to the introduction and spread of destructive aquatic invasive species through the discharge of ballast water. Once species such as zebra and quagga mussels set up camp, they devastate the natural food chain and can lead to dangerous algae growth, which causes substantial environmental and economic harm to the Great Lakes and waters all across the country.
Under the new Canadian rules, it is estimated the spread of invasive species at Canadian Great Lakes ports will be reduced by 82 percent. The rules also have the potential to bring in an estimated $980 million in economic benefits. Given that costs to comply are about $280 million, that amounts to an impressive 3.5 to 1 benefit/cost ratio.
We applaud Canada for taking action. But it is imperative that the U.S. EPA moves quickly to implement similarly strong ballast water standards on board all ships stopping at U.S. ports on the Great Lakes in order to help mitigate the spread and harmful impact of aquatic invasive species - otherwise they will continue to threaten the health of our ecosystems.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-epa-must-follow-canada-s-lead-and-issue-new-rules-for-ballast-water-to-protect-the-great-lakes/ar-AALDFle
