Bill To Reauthorize Ballast Water Law

Senator Levin (D-MI) introduced the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2005 (S. 770) to amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to amend and improve that Act. The bill, which is 130 pages in length, includes some interesting provisions. For example, it would authorize ballast water exchange only through December 31, 2011. Thereafter, ships would have to utilize a technological approach that reduces the concentration of viable biological material in the ballast water by at least 99%. Additionally, the government would be required to analyze other pathways by which aquatic nuisance species enter U.S. waters. (HK Law)