Turbulent Ballast Waters
Ballast water treatment technology can now be
tested in Superior, Wisconsin, in a $850,000 facility and under the
Great Ships Initiative to stop ship introduction of invasive species
into the Great Lakes. The initiative is meant to speed development of
commercially and environmentally viable treatments.
Other ballast water issues:
• Michigan and California have put into place
controversial laws related to ballast. Starting this year, Michigan
required permits for ocean-going vessels that stop at its ports. Almost
60 permits have been granted. Last fall, California approved a law
requiring chemical ballast treatment of all ships coming into its ports
by 2009.
• The U.S. House Transportation Committee is reviewing a bill to curb introduction of invasive species.
• National Wildlife Federation announced intent
to file a civil lawsuit against nine ship owners to force treatment of
ballast. Under the Clean Water Act, there is a mandatory filing wait
after announcing intent to sue.
Lake Notes
  Late
summer you can see the orange blossoms of the touch-me-not flowers,
also called jewelweed. If you break the stem, the gel inside - much
like aloe - can temporarily soothe poison ivy or other skin irritations.
As
you swelter in the August heat, remember that snow has fallen at least
once in every month except August in Duluth, Minnesota. On September
18, 1991, Duluth got 2.4 inches of snow.
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