Ballast and Invasive Species
New laws will try to keep invasive species out of the Great Lakes; and will require oceangoing ships to flush their ballast tanks with salt water before entering the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Increased inspections of salt-water freighters will take place and are designed to match requirements imposed by Canada. They are scheduled to take effect in late March.
Environmental groups are pushing for federal legislation requiring ships to install devices that would cleanse ballast tanks. The U.S. Coast Guard is also considering new ballast regulations.
January 17, 2008 6:30 AM | Category: Invasive Species