Oberstar Legislation to combat invasive species posted by Committee

Washington DC - A set of tough new laws to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species are on their way to the Floor of the House of Representatives for final approval.  Today the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007; it includes strong new language that will help fight the spread of invasive species like the zebra mussel and the sea lamprey, as well as virus that is threatening to devastate the fish populations of the Great Lakes.

Congressman Jim Oberstar is chairman of the Transportation Committee and a primary sponsor of the legislation, he says it is time to act.  "I am through with academics who want another three year research program, or a five year research program, to study and look at and say 'my gosh that stuff is polluted. Goodness look at those little critters in there, they're terrible,'" said Oberstar.  "We've got to do something about it, and this bill does."  The bill requires all ocean going vessels that enter the Great Lakes to install ballast water treatment systems by 2009.  Water quality standards for the treated ballast water will be ten times more stringent than the international standard that will go into effect that same year. 

"We have to be aggressive in the way that we approach this problem," said Oberstar.  "Several invasive species have already spread into the Great Lakes and they won't stop there.  Last summer there were reports of the spiny sea flea in Rainey Lake where they are threatening the walleye and northern pike fisheries." 

Oberstar's bill also tackles the problem of the Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus, also known as the VHS "fish killing" virus.  The Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) is being given the authority to require Great Lakes vessels to install equipment to kill off the virus in their ballast water systems.  APHIS will have the authority to take those steps as soon as they are deemed necessary, the Coast Guard will enforce the regulation.

The legislation also authorizes Coast Guard to test out a laser guided system that could replace its live firing exercises on the Great Lakes.   Residents and boaters have raised safety concerns over the firing of high caliber machine guns, and environmentalist say that the lead ammunition can pollute the lake.  The U.S. Army has been using a similar system for several years.

Ongoing scientific research on the Great Lakes will also continue to receive funding.  The Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute will receive $10 million to continue operating for the next five years.  The institute is a consortium of universities which includes the University of Minnesota in Duluth and the University of Wisconsin in Superior.