substantial environmental harm

The EPA must follow Canada's lead and issue new rules for ballast water to protect the Great Lakes

The EPA must follow Canada's lead and issue new rules for ballast water to protect the Great Lakes

Last week Canada issued new rules requiring all vessels stopping at Canadian ports to have ballast water treatment systems in place by 2030. While this may seem like a niche issue, reports have shown us that ships contribute to the introduction and spread of destructive aquatic invasive species through the discharge of ballast water. Once species such as zebra and quagga mussels set up camp, they devastate the natural food chain and can lead to dangerous algae growth, which causes substantial environmental and economic harm to the Great Lakes and waters all across the country.