Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media contact: Sam Brungardt (651) 282-6410 Duluth, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking public comment from now through July 30, 2008 on its draft ballast water general permit. This state permit would help protect Minnesota waters of Lake Superior from potential environmental and economic harm caused by aquatic invasive species carried in the ballast water of ships. "Protecting Lake Superior is a high priority for the agency," MPCA commissioner Brad Moore said. "The lake is not only valuable as a natural resource but also directly supports the entire region's economy. This permit makes meaningful progress in reducing the threat of aquatic invasive species while supporting a viable shipping industry." The MPCA began working on a ballast water discharge program in early 2007 and established a goal of having a permit in place by Oct. 1, 2008. International efforts on this issue, federal-level court decisions, input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, action taken by the Minnesota Legislature in 2008, and comments from stakeholders throughout the process helped shape the MPCA's permit-development efforts. The draft five-year State Disposal System permit would affect ocean-going and Great-Lakes-only ships at least 50 meters in length and with a ballast water capacity of at least eight cubic meters that transit through, and have an ability to discharge to, Minnesota waters of Lake Superior. The permit requires treatment on all eligible vessels and allows for the development of fresh water technologies. This general permit could cover approximately 200 to 300 vessels. To be eligible for a ballast water permit, vessel owners or operators would have to submit a permit application, available by Aug. 31, 2008, and a Ballast Water/Sediment Management Plan to the MPCA. Once approved, the agency would issue a Notice of Coverage for each vessel. Additional criteria are detailed in the draft permit. A copy of the draft permit, fact sheet and public notice are available for review at the MPCA offices in St. Paul and Duluth or on the Internet at hhref="/news/data/index.cfm?PN=1. For more information and to request copies of the draft permit, fact sheet and public notice, e mail Mary Jean Fenske at maryjean.fenske@state.mn.us or call her at (651) 297 5472. Written comments should be mailed to Mary Jean Fenske, MPCA Industrial Division SP-5, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., Saint Paul, MN 55155 4194. Written comments can be mailed to Fenske until 4:30 p.m. on July 30, 2008, faxed to her at (651) 296 8717, or e mailed to her.