October 19, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today that Michigan's new Ballast Water Control General Permit is now available. The permit, the first of its kind in the nation, will require oceangoing vessels to treat their ballast water prior to entering Michigan ports in order to prevent aquatic invasive species from being introduced into the Great Lakes.

"Those who rely on the Great Lakes for business activities have a responsibility to help protect them," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "The negative economic impact of invasive species is in the billions of dollars, and once they're introduced into the Great Lakes ecosystem, controlling them is a losing battle."

The general permit was developed in response to legislation signed into law June 5, 2005 by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. When the St. Lawrence Seaway opens for the 2007 shipping season, all oceangoing vessels must be covered by a DEQ permit to engage in port operations in Michigan. Port operations include loading and unloading cargo and discharging ballast water.

Vessels often take in thousands of gallons of ballast water to stabilize the ship when traveling without cargo. The ballast water is then released in port as new cargo is loaded, potentially releasing millions of live organisms into the lake. Often these invasive species have no natural predators in their new environment and can crowd out native species, cause environmental damage, or transport foreign disease or parasites. There are currently more than 160 identified non-native species in the Great Lakes, including sea lampreys and zebra mussels. Damage estimates from zebra mussels alone exceed $3 billion over the past ten years.

The DEQ has determined the ballast water treatment methods contained in the permit are environmentally sound, affordable, and effective in preventing the discharge of aquatic invasive species.

"Our hope is that Michigan's leadership will set an example that our Great Lakes neighbors will follow," said Ken DeBeaussaert, Director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes. "Without action at the federal level, we must work together to effectively protect the Great Lakes from this threat."

The Ballast Water Control General Permit is now on our Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq, click on "Water," "Surface Water," "NPDES Permits," "General Permits," or "Ballast Water Control."

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised October 19, 2006 by Pat Watson