Grand Rapids Press: Letter to the Editor:
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1179841521121800.xml&coll=6
Fighting the invasion
The introduction of exotic species and pathogens from the ballast water of ships is killing our Great Lakes and costing billions to our economies. Once they arrive, they are seldom controlled and never eliminated. And, they spread inland like wildfire.
Michigan has shown leadership by implementing laws to regulate ballast water from ocean-going vessels, "salties," when the U.S. and Canadian federal governments failed to do so. Several other Great Lakes states are considering similar legislation, and Ontario should too.
Many federal bills have been introduced but nothing passed. And, the Environmental Protection Agency is hiding behind a lawsuit, delaying action on its part. Meanwhile, the problem continues with a new species detected every six to eight months.
The Great Lakes region should continue to act independently of the lackluster federal action and require treatment of the ballast water of "lakers," ships moving solely in the Great Lakes, as well as the salties.
Lakers are responsible for the spread of undesirable exotics and likely are helping the spread of a virus -- VHS -- through the Great Lakes. Water treatment technology used for the past century by governments and industry is readily available. Adequate funding for enforcement is also necessary.
Until either the federal government or all the Great Lakes states and provinces are actually using protections, a moratorium on "salties" entering the Great Lakes should be implemented.
We cannot afford further environmental degradation of our natural resources or the resulting economic impacts to the Great Lakes economies.
-- E. JOHN TRIMBERGER
Rockford
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