Advancing a Great Lakes standard for ballast water discharge

Grant: # 1333

Grant Amount: $54,079.00

Board Decision Year: 2013

Great Lakes Commission (Ann Arbor)

Eder, Tim ([email protected]) 734-971-9135

GLFT - Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Fish Populations-N - SET Research - Social, economic, and technology research to inform policy and practice

Project Details

The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) convened the Great Lakes states and provinces to increase coordination and information-sharing around the status of ballast water management and consider opportunities for advancing regionally consistent and regionally protective ballast water standards and policies. This work was conducted through three primary activities: convening a ballast water task force, holding a ballast water workshop, and developing a series of issue briefing papers.

This project was valuable in providing an opportunity to identify gaps, needs, and opportunities to advance ballast water management. The workshop showed that while the U.S. Coast Guard and International Maritime Organization discharge standards are now more widely accepted as driving forces behind technology development, there is concern that approved technologies and treatment systems will not meet the discharge standards in all conditions (especially freshwater), even if operated properly. There are inconsistencies in policies and programs over how to address “laker” vessels, i.e., vessels that remain within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River system, and comparatively less investment in developing technologies to accommodate the unique design of these ships. More broadly, despite delays and uncertainties in the regulatory process, some industry groups and vessel operators are moving forward with testing treatment options, and some are installing technology ahead of required schedules. Finally, this project made it possible for the GLC to move forward with a new policy resolution on ballast water management. This resolution represents a consensus viewpoint of the states and provinces, and characterizes the current needs and opportunities described above. It provides input on federal agency activities and recommends areas for future investment.

Documents

Final Project Report	View - Ballast_Water_Project_Final_Report_GLFT_2013.133_8.31.17.pdf
Status of Ballast Water Discharge Regulations in the Great Lakes Region	View - GLC-BW-Reg-Summary-11.14.16.pdf
Ballast Water Management Systems Briefing Paper	View - GSI-GLC-BW-FW-Update-Report-11.14.16.pdf
Ballast Water Workshop Proceedings Document	View - Proceedings-GLSL-BW-Workshop-Detroit-Nov-2016.pdf