Ballast Water Management Policy

(Adopted August 7, 2001)

WHEREAS, the Mississippi River Basin is connected to the Great Lakes system through the reversed flow of the Chicago and Calumet Rivers into the Illinois River; and

WHEREAS, this hydrologic connection serves as a pathway for the introduction of aquatic nuisance species (ANS), such as zebra mussels and round gobies, which threaten the ecological integrity of the river system and water-dependent sectors of the economy; and

WHEREAS, many of these species were originally introduced to the Great Lakes system from ocean-going commercial vessels that discharge ballast water containing these organisms; and

WHEREAS, the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, a binational body convened by the Great Lakes Commission under Section 1203 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-646), has developed a “Policy Statement on Ballast Water Management;” and

WHEREAS, the objective of that policy is “to eliminate ballast-associated ANS introductions into waters of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence system, and reduce ANS dispersal between the lakes through the regional development and application of a timely, effective, scientifically based, environmentally sound and economically viable binational ballast water management program.”

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association endorses the “Policy Statement on Ballast Water Management” adopted by the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species and dated March 2001; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association urges all parties with an interest in or responsibility for the control of aquatic nuisance species to seek to implement the recommendations contained in that policy statement and work cooperatively to develop a ballast water management program.