KEEPING AN EYE ON BALLAST WATER

摘要

On August 28, the U.S. Coast Guard published proposed rules in the Federal Register for "Standards for Living Organisms in Ships' Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. Waters."rnThe Coast Guard's current ballast water treatment regulations have required that vessels intending to discharge ballast in U.S. waters conduct mid-ocean ballast water exchanges as the means for preventing the introduction of nonindigenous invasive species. The effectiveness of these ballast water exchanges has been variable, and has demonstrated that these exchange procedures are not a suitable method for protecting U.S. waters. The proposed rules would amend the Coast Guard regulations by establishing two standards for the allowable concentration of living organisms in ballast discharge water. The Coast Guard also proposes an approval process for onboard ballast water management systems that would allow vessel owners to meet the first of the two standards.