Congress to Loosen Ballast Water Regs

Those of us in the vicinity of Lake St. Clair have heard plenty about ballast water and invasive species. A plan in Congress backed by cargo shippers would create gaping holes in the regulation of ballast water in U.S. waterways, opening the door to more invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels. John Flesher wrote for AP today (May 24, 2016):

The proposal was tucked into a $602 billion defense bill that the House passed last week, the latest twist in a longstanding struggle over how to handle water that ships carry in huge tanks during overseas voyages. Ballast provides stability in rough seas but harbors fish, plants and even viruses, which find new homes when vessels discharge the water in distant ports. Some multiply rapidly, out-compete native species for food and spread disease.

The debate focuses on how extensively ship operators should be required to treat ballast water to kill as many organisms as possible before the water is released…

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/house-measure-supports-shippers-ballast-water-dumping-39336860

This is one more example of Congress favoring special interests over the public interest.

Army Corps: Dirty Tricks, Dirty Water

Editorial Excoriates Army Corps of Engineers for Dredging Deceit

Excerpts:

Apparently, there is no limit to the depths that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will sink in its persistent push to poison Cleveland harbor via the open-lake dumping of toxic Cuyahoga River dredge.

Its latest ploy involves the once unthinkable for a federal agency: It has cut its own budget to ensure it will not have enough money for proper dredging and disposal.

Last year, a federal judge had to step in to force the Corps to spend the full appropriated amount to complete proper dredging and disposal.

In December, Corps officials contacted the professional staffs of the House and Senate appropriation committees and said the agency didn't need the full $9.54 million for Cleveland harbor, according to Dino Disanto, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce…

Thanks to the Corps' sleazy backdoor maneuver, this year's total Cleveland harbor appropriation is far less than what's needed for river dredging and proper disposal.

(Editorial Board, January 24, 2016, updated February 01, 2016)

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/01/us_army_corps_sinks_to_new_low_in_cuyahoga_river_dredge_deception_editorial.html

Makes you wonder how forthcoming the Corps has been about open lake dumping in western Lake Erie off Toledo.