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California State Lands Commission News

14 Oct 2019

Australia Hosts GloFouling Event

The GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships project has concluded its inaugural Research and Development Forum and Exhibition on Biofouling Management, in Melbourne, Australia (1 to 4 October).Bringing together experts, regulators and industry representatives to discuss the latest advances in research, regulations and technologies related to marine biofouling across all maritime sectors, this is set to become the project’s biennial “signature event”.Over 170 participants and 40 speakers took part in a program that focused on how biofouling affects different maritime industries, including shipping, aquaculture and ocean renewable energies…

21 Jan 2018

California's Ports Implements Biofouling Regulations

Vessel operators calling at California ports are reminded of the state’s new biofouling management regulations and reporting requirements under its Marine Invasive Species Program 2018, said GARD. The state of California is known for its enforcement of stringent environmental regulations. In addition to complying with stricter air emission requirements under the California Ocean-going Vessel (OGV) Fuel Regulation, vessels calling at California ports must also comply with regulations for ballast water discharges and biofouling enforced under the state’s Marine Invasive Species Program. The California MISP is designed to prevent, and eventually eliminate, the introduction of non-indigenous species into State waters and is administered by the California State Lands Commission (SLC).

25 May 2017

California Pushes Ahead on Ballast Water Compliance

Photo courtesy MEA-nl

We are quickly approaching September 8, 2017, the date when the International Ballast Water Convention will enter into force requiring ships to manage their ballast water using methods to remove or render harmless organisms contained within their ballast water. This is in an effort to halt the spread of invasive species that have crippled many local ecosystems, both monetarily and environmentally, in some cases causing irreparable damage. In the U.S., the regulations are already in place. Recently, the U.S.

21 Aug 2014

Ballast Water Management: California Update

The California State Lands Commission (CSL) has promulgated a letter to clarify its interpretation of existing ballast water requirements under the California's Marine Invasive Species Act (MISA) informs the UK P&I Club. In its letter, California recognizes that in certain limited circumstances under federal law a vessel may not be required to deviate or incur delay in order to conduct a ballast water exchange.  However, CSL explains that MISA does not provide for any exemption based on deviation or voyage delay. CSL has also updated its map to more correctly depict the 200 nm boundary for the US West Coast, including those waters extending south of California. The .PDF letter may be downloaded at: bit.ly/1s7mKdq Source: UK P&I Club

09 Oct 2013

California Delay Ballast Water Regulation Implementation

California State Lands Commission has passed Senate Bill (SB) 814, which will become effective on January 1, 2014. Among its provisions, SB 814 amends Public Resources Code section 71205.3 and delays implementation of the interim performance standards for two years. NB: this delay does not apply to the implementation of the final discharge standard of zero detectable living organisms for all size classes by January 1, 2020. On June 21, 2013, the California State Lands Commission approved a report to the California Legislature recommending a delay in the implementation of California's interim performance standards for the discharge of ballast water. The recommendation was based on the lack of advisable treatment technologies to comply with all of California's standards.

04 Jul 2013

California SLC Recommends Delay BWT Standards

The California State Lands Commission's (SLC) report '2013 Assessment of the Efficacy, Availability, and Environmental Impacts of Ballast Water Treatment Systems for Use in California Waters' concludes that no shipboard ballast water treatment systems are currently available to meet all of California’s performance standards for the discharge of ballast water. Commission staff reviewed 75 shipboard ballast water treatment systems for this analysis, however, significant limitations in the existing data hamper the ability of Commission staff to determine if shipboard ballast water treatment systems are available to meet California’s performance standards.

29 May 2013

California Clarifies BWMS Position

Installation or use of an USCG accepted Alternative Management Systems (AMS) does not waive a vessel's requirement to meet the California Code of Regulations ballast discharge performance standards. In accordance with the California Public Resource Code and California Code of Regulations, vessels may manage ballast water using an alternative, environmentally sound method approved by the California State Lands Commission or the USCG as being at least as effective as ballast water exchange, using mid-ocean waters, in eliminating nonindigenous species. As any USCG accepted AMS must demonstrate efficacy at least as effective as mid-ocean exchange…

02 Mar 2012

NOAA Releases Restoration Plan for Cosco Busan Impacts

Final Restoration Plan Completed for Cosco Busan Oil Spill; Projects will Address Impacts from Ship that Struck the Bay Bridge. State and federal trustee agencies have released the Cosco Busan Oil Spill Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan. The document summarizes the injuries to wildlife, habitat, and recreational uses from the oil spill that occurred on Nov. 7, 2007. It also describes a number of restoration projects that will be implemented to compensate for injuries from the spill.

09 Aug 2010

BALPURE System Authorized in California

Photo courtesy Boyd Tamney Cross Marketing, Inc.

The S/R American Progress, a double-hull U.S. flag tank ship, operated by SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., and fitted with the BALPURE ballast water management system from Severn Trent De Nora, is authorized to discharge treated ballast water into the water of California. Authorization was granted by the California State Lands Commission in accordance with California Public Resources Code Section 71204.3(d), which authorizes vessels to manage their ballast water using alternative, environmentally…

13 Nov 2008

CA – Ballast Water Mngmt Testing

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) released its Ballast Water Treatment Technology Testing Guidelines, available at: http://www.slc.ca.gov/Spec_Pub/MFD/Ballast_Water/Documents/TestingGuidelinesFinal_101008.pdf The guidelines are intended to provide treatment technology vendors with a standardized protocol to verify treatment system compliance with California’s ballast water performance standards and water quality objectives. (Source: Holland & Knight)

24 Mar 2008

California: BW Treatment Research

The California State Lands Commission (CSLC) will conduct a business meeting in Sacramento on March 25.  Among the items on the calendar is a request for authority to enter into a contract to support vessel modifications and conduct shipboard ballast water treatment research.  The plan calls for the CSLC to contribute $100,000 toward a $700,000 effort to install an experimental ballast water treatment system on the California Maritime Academy (CMA) training ship GOLDEN BEAR and conduct beta testing and calibration.  Calendar Item C76 (Source: HK Law).

07 Nov 2001

Hyde OptiMarin System Controls Aquatic Nuisances

Hyde OptiMarin LLC, a joint venture of Hyde Marine Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio and OptiMarin A/S of Stavanger Norway, is delivering four new full-scale OptiMar Ballast Water Treatment Systems during 2001, systems designed to control the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species in ship's ballast water. Hyde OptiMarin delivered the first ever full-scale ballast water treatment system using ultraviolet light with cyclonic separation pretreatment for installation aboard the cruise ship "Regal Princess". This system has been operating continuously since May 2000. The first new system was installed in August 2001 aboard the cruise ship "Sea Princess". The 220 ton/hr.

22 Jan 2004

California Raises Ballast Water Fee

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) issued a Letter to Interested Parties stating that the ballast water fee for vessels arriving in California will be increased from $200 to $500 per qualifying voyage, effective February 1, 2004. The SLC also issued the text of the Emergency Regulation effecting the change. Looks like a Schwarzenegger Special to me. (Source: HK Law)

10 Jun 2002

California Prevention First Symposium

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) is sponsoring Prevention First 2002 , an onshore and offshore pollution prevention symposium and technology exhibition in Long Beach on September 10-11, 2002. Topics are expected to include issues such as human factors and ballast water management.

07 Mar 2005

Ballast Water Management Changes Proposed

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) issued a Notice of Proposed Regulatory Action relating to management of ballast water on ships of 300 gross registered tons or more arriving in California after having taken on ballast water from places within the Pacific Coast Region. The Pacific Coast Region is defined as coastal waters on the Pacific Coast of North America east of 154°W longitude and north of 25°N latitude, exclusive of the Gulf of California. While several alternatives are provided for, the major ballast water management measure proposed is the exchange of the ship’s ballast water in near-coastal waters (waters that are more than 50 nautical miles from land and at least 200 meters deep). Under the proposal, the SLC would assess a per voyage fee of $500.

19 Nov 2007

Submarine Cable Project Proposed

The California State Lands Commission issued a notice stating that it is preparing a draft environmental impact report regarding a proposal to install and maintain a fiber optic cable from San Luis Obispo to Hawaii and Asia. A public scoping meeting will be held in San Luis Obispo on November 27. Written comments should be submitted by December 6. Source: HK Law

29 May 2007

California Proposes Standards for Discharge of Ballast Water

The California State Lands Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Regulatory Action that would, if adopted, establish performance standards for the discharge of ballast water for vessels operating in California waters. The Proposed Regulations were released separately, along with the Initial Statement of Reasons. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by June 6. Review of the proposed performance standards causes one to despair for the art of the feasible. Source: HK Law

25 Apr 2006

Critics Blast Malibu LNG Proposal

Critics of a proposed floating liquefied natural gas terminal off the Ventura Coast outnumbered supporters by more than 2-1 during a public hearing in Malibu. More than 60 people spoke at the hearing. Officials with the California State Lands Commission and U.S Coast Guard were taking public comments on a draft environmental impact report released last month on BHP Billiton"s proposed Cabrillo Port facility. The terminal would sit 13.8 miles off the Ventura County coast where LNG would be converted to natural gas and piped ashore. Those opposing the plan argue that the LNG terminal would worsen air pollution, hurt marine wildlife, threaten security and lower Malibu"s pricey real estate values. Many called for more emphasis on conservation and renewable energy sources.

09 Mar 2006

California – Ballast Water Management

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) issued a Letter to Shipping Agents stating that, effective March 22, it will commence enforcement of new Ballast Water Management Regulations. The new regulations apply to vessels arriving in California carrying ballast water from another port or place within the Pacific Coast Region. These regulations supplement current regulations that apply to vessels arriving in California from ports or places outside the Pacific Coast Region. Source: HK Law

14 Dec 2005

California – Ballast Water Discharge Standards

Following up on yesterday’s item regarding the report of the California State Lands Commission (SLC) on Performance Standards for Ballast Water Discharges in California Waters, I have been advised that the SLC staff submitted the report to the Commission, but that the Commission has deferred action until their next scheduled meeting in February 2006. Following approval by the Commission, the report will be forwarded to the California Legislature for consideration. It is currently unclear whether the SLC will be directed to develop regulations in accordance with the report or whether the Legislature will take direct action. Source: HK Law

13 Dec 2005

California Releases Report on Ballast Sater Discharge Standards

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) released its Report on Performance Standards for Ballast Water Discharges in California Waters . The report and its accompanying Appendix recommend that the state adopt stringent performance standards and a phased implementation schedule based on the ballast capacity of the vessel and whether it is an existing vessel or new construction. The report recommends interim standards (based largely on the size of the organism) and a long-term standard of ballast water containing no detectable living or culturable organisms. These proposals exceed the standards currently envisioned by the IMO or by pending legislation in the U.S. Congress. The Appendix states that existing technologies are capable of achieving the recommended standards.

12 Sep 2002

CA Marine Terminal Physical Security Proposal

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) relating to Marine Terminal Physical Security, as discussed briefly in yesterday's Maritime Items. The NPRM may be found at California Regulatory Notice Register. Source: HK Law

05 Aug 2003

Marine Response Alliance Member Titan Maritime Wins Award

the recovery of oil from the sunken vessel S/S JACOB LUCKENBACH. award at the annual meeting of the Task Force in Honolulu July 22. response resulting in enhanced environmental protection. partnerships and involve the public are favored. Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. 2003 Award. southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge, in 175 feet of water. last two decades. Response, and the California State Lands Commission. contract with the U.S. Coast Guard. the oil inside a tank, and pump the oil to the surface. minimal risk of oil release. The difficult and often dangerous work continued for four months. worldwide. sensitive wildlife will be protected from exposure to oil spills. others in industry, government, and the public to emulate.

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