Your Opinions
From Journal Sentinel readers
Posted: May 3, 2008
SHIPS
Keep state control
In "House passes bill to
treat ballast water on ships," Dan Egan described the support HR 2830
(the Coast Guard Authorization Act) enjoys from lawmakers and the
shipping industry (April 25). While HR 2830 benefits Wisconsin's
waters, our elected representatives must be careful not to give away
the state's power to set its own standards.
In a recent letter to congressional representatives, Midwest
Environmental Advocates, with the Minnesota Center for Environmental
Advocacy, expressed opposition to portions of HR 2830, which includes
the Ballast Water Treatment Act. The bill, passed April 24 with
overwhelming support, could remove important federal and state tools
currently available to fight invasive species.
As passed, the bill could undermine two crucial tools that states
have to control introduction of aquatic invasive species from ships'
ballast water: the states' ability to adopt discharge standards that
are more stringent or that take effect sooner than those in the new
law; and the states' ability to regulate ballast water discharges as
point source discharges.
As the bill enters the Senate, we urge the addition of provisions
that will protect the efficacy of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act and the state's ability to exercise authority over its waters.
Karen Schapiro
Executive director, Midwest Environmental Advocates
Madison
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From the May 3, 2008 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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