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City of Superior Weighs In on Ballast Water
Permitting Issue -Special Issue- March
18, 2009 Articles featured in this issue of the Development
Association bulletin include:
Superior Common Council Passes
Resolution Asking Wisconsin DNR Not to Put Port of Superior at a
Competitive Disadvantage
In a unanimous vote, the Superior Common Council at its March 17
meeting passed a resolution (R09-12865) urging the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources (WDNR) to consider the adoption of ballast water
permitting requirements for Oceangoing Vessels ("Salties') that do not
put the Port of Superior at a competitive disadvantage to ports in other
Great Lakes states.
The Council's action was in response to a proposed Ballast Water
Discharge General Permit for vessels visiting Wisconsin waters and
ports, which was released for public comment on February 20. The permit
as proposed, would require existing Salties, beginning in 2012, to
install technology to treat ballast water at a standard 100 times the
standard established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The states of Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania have
adopted IMO standards for Salties with an implementation date of January
1, 20016.
"The action of the Superior Common Council reflects the importance of
the maritime industry to the economy of Superior, " stated Andy Lisak,
Executive Director of the Development Association - the lead economic
development organization for Superior and Douglas County, Wisconsin.
"The Council's unanimous resolution supports the work that many us
are doing with the assistance of Senator Bob Jauch and Rep. Nick Milroy
(who also serves on the Superior Common Council) as we share our
concerns with the Wisconsin DNR during this public comment process."
Lisak stated.
"In fact, Senator Jauch, during an announcement at Superior's Fraser
Shipyards on Monday, March 16 described the Superior harbor as the heart
and soul of the Superior community." stated Lisak. "Senator Jauch truly
understands the importance of a working waterfront and the importance of
taking action to address the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive
species," Lisak said.
The resolution commended the WDNR for recognizing the Great Lakes as
an environmental and economic resource by providing a public comment
period concerning the general permit process. The resolution went on to
state the City of Superior's support of the exemption of lake-contained
vessels "Lakers" from the proposed ballast water permitting requirements
and its support of federal legislation to establish a strong ballast
water regulatory program sufficient to prevent future introduction of
aquatic nuisance species into all United States waters.
A public hearing on the proposed permit is scheduled for 10:00 am on
Monday, March 23 at the DNR's Milwaukee office. All comments or
suggestions received from members of the public no later than 7 days
following the date of this public hearing will be used, along with other
information on file and testimony presented at the hearing, in making a
final determination.
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