[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TO REQUIRE THAT ALL SHIPS WITH BALLAST WATER TANKS, INCLUDING VESSELS 
   THAT ARE NOT CARRYING BALLAST WATER, TO CARRY OUT THE EXCHANGE OF 
BALLAST WATER OR ALTERNATIVE BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT METHODS PRIOR TO 
               ENTRY INTO ANY PORT WITHIN THE GREAT LAKES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2007

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, today I introduced a bill to require all 
vessels, including those with no ballast water on board, NOBOBs, to 
undergo ballast water exchange before entering the Great Lakes.
  Invasive species pose a dangerous threat to the Great Lakes. These 
creatures can cause irreparable ecological and economic damage to a 
variety of locations and industries. In 2005, economic losses were 
estimated at an annual $5 billion to the region. More than 160 non-
native species have already invaded the Great Lakes ecosystem. As the 
largest source of our Nation's fresh water, the Great Lakes must be 
protected from further introduction of invasives.
  One method by which these species enter the Great Lakes is through 
ballast water tanks. Current law requires ships carrying ballast water 
to undergo ballast water exchange to flush out invasive species before 
entering the Great Lakes from another port. However, 90 percent of all 
ships entering the Great Lakes have no ballast water on board. These 
NOBOBs are not subject to the same ballast water exchange laws, even 
though they still have ballast tanks. Invasive species often survive in 
the sediment at the bottom of these tanks. When these ships operate in 
the Great Lakes, they may add and then pump out new ballast water 
before leaving. This mixes with residual ballast water and sediments, 
and provides an unregulated pathway for the introduction of new 
invasive species when the ballast water is released.
  In other words, the contamination begins.
  We must not leave 90 percent of ships entering the Great Lakes 
untreated. This bipartisan legislation requires all ships with ballast 
tanks, including NOBOBs, to undergo ballast water exchange. In 
addition, the bill commissions a study of the effectiveness and 
environmental soundness of other ballast treatment options. The 
language fixes a current problem and works towards an even stronger 
solution for the future.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation, while small, has enormous 
consequences for the health and safety of one of our national 
treasures. I am proud to introduce this ballast water legislation to 
significantly reduce the infiltration of invasive species into the 
Great Lakes.

                          ____________________