WBSA Message Forum

For those who missed Sunday's story in the Columbus Dispatch, last Thursday 12/18/08 the EPA issued a general permit under court order to regulate water discharges from ships to protect native ecosystems. Commercial ships must dump ballast water at sea or rinse tanks if empty before entering the Great Lakes. This permit will take effect Feb. 6, giving states more time to impose additional requirements for vessels operating in their waters. Ini addition to ballasts, other discharges are also covered.

Many states aremaking requirements exceeding EPA requiremens. Many states including New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana Pennsylvania are doing so, but nothing specific was mentioned about Ohio. Maybe we should get involved with our legislators?

For the full story, go to 12/14 Columbus Dispatch page A9.

I hadn't seen that Bob. thanks for posting the info. I'll do a little research on it later on this week.