Aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and round gobies, are one of the most significant environmental threats to the health of the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes. Invasive species foul beaches, wreak havoc on the fishery, clog water intake valves of cities and utilities, and harm fish and wildlife. Research suggests that the annual cost to the just the 8 Great Lakes states from invasive species introduced by shipping are upwards of $200 million annually. (To learn more about the impact of aquatic invasive species on the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes, visit our Clean Up the Ballast page.)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is collecting input as they update their Vessel General Permit which regulates ballast discharges to stop invasive species introductions under the Clean Water Act. Your input it critical to ensure that the EPA’s effort significantly improves protections on the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes! The deadline for comments is December 31st.

Background

The EPA issued their first Vessel General Permit (VGP) in February 2008. The VGP requires ballast water exchange for all oceangoing vessels (”salties”) and flushing for salties that declare No Ballast on Board. Both practices represent the status quo, as salties were already required to perform them under existing Coast Guard and St. Lawrence Seaway regulations. The VGP is set to expire in 2013, and it’s time to let the EPA know that the Vessel General Permit needs to be significantly strengthened to stop introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and nationwide.

Take Action!

Take a few minutes today to urge the US EPA to strengthen the Vessel General Permit to stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the St. Lawrence River, Great Lakes and nationwide.

Sample letter language:

Dear Administrator Jackson:

The St. Lawrence River is very important to me [explain why…]

As you know, ship ballast is the primary pathway for aquatic invasive species introductions into the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system, and aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and round gobies, are one of the most significant environmental threats to the health of the River and Lakes. Invasive species foul beaches, wreak havoc on the fishery, clog water intake valves of cities and utilities, and harm fish and wildlife.

I am writing today to urge the US EPA to significantly strengthen the Vessel General Permit to stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the St. Lawrence River, Great Lakes, and nationwide. The US EPA should include the following provisions in the permit:

• The VGP must include effluent limitations for discharges of invasive species in ballast water and should have a standard of zero discharge unless proven otherwise.

• The VGP must require vessels to use the Best Available Technology to treat their ballast water before discharging.

• The VGP must apply to domestic “laker” vessels that travel only within the Great Lakes, as well as international “salties”.

• The VGP should establish a clear and transparent process for approving technology for use, monitoring, reporting, and enforcement.

• Any federal program to control ballast water from ships must engage both the EPA and the Coast Guard and should fully comply with both the Clean Water Act and the National Invasive Species Act.

Aquatic invasive species introductions via the commercial shipping industry have been allowed to pose a direct threat to the economic and environmental health of our communities for too long. I urge you to strengthen the Vessel General Permit to protect our waterways for current and future generations.

Sincerely

[Insert Your Name and Address]

How to Submit Comments

Deadline: December 31, 2010

The easiest way to let your voice be heard is via:

Email: ow-docket@epa.gov; Attention: Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2010–0828

Mail:

Water Docket Environmental

Protection Agency, Mailcode: 28221T

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.

Washington, DC 20460

Attention: Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2010–0828.

Thank you for speaking out to protect the health of the St. Lawrence River!