Several Michigan environment groups are raising concerns about a bill in the Michigan house to change ballast water regulations.
Supporters of the bill say it would standardize ballast water standards and re-open Michigan ports to exports.
Michigan adopted its regulations in 2006 and lawmakers expected surrounding Great Lakes States and Ontario to adopt the same standards. That never happened and bill supporters argue it drove shipping companies away from Michigan ports.
Joel Brammeier is with the Alliance for the Great Lakes. He said Michigan’s standards are what led to the Coast Guard implementing it’s own standards in 2012.
“Those steps taken by states across the country are the only reason we’re seeing the, albeit slow, action by the Coast Guard today. Without that state leadership I would be very concerned to see those steps that were taken federally role back and stall.”
James Clift is with the Michigan Environmental Council. He said the bill would lower Michigan’s ballast water standards and increase the risk of invasive species in the Great Lakes.
“We’re worried that the bigger threat is what if the Coast Guard and the EPA change their mind? What if they backpedal? We don’t want to see that. This is an important time to stay firm.”
Supporters of the bill says there’s an amendment in the bill to ensure if the Coast Guard changes its standards in the future, ships will still need to abide by current regulations.
But Joel Brammeier also contends that federal standards are much lower than Michigan’s and would put the Great Lakes at greater risk of invasive species.