Vessel discharge

Minnesota ballast water requirements

In addition to the vessel requirements in the EPA VGP and Minnesota’s ballast water general permit, vessels must follow the requirements in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota’s 401 certification of the VGP.

New General permit issued October 1, 2018

MPCA is working on issuing new coverages for vessels that have submitted ballast water discharge permit applications. Vessels covered by the expired permit can continue to transit Minnesota waters of Lake Superior as long as they continue to meet the conditions in the expired permit.

Comments received during the draft permit public notice comment period from July 23-August 22, 2018, and MPCA responses to those comments can be found in the attachments below:

• Ballast Water: Comment letters (wq-s8-09c)
• Ballast Water: Responses to Comment letters (wq-s8-09b)
• Ballast Water: Final permit (wq-s8-09a)

Vessel owners who are required to obtain the VGP and wish to transit Minnesota waters of Lake Superior must submit the following permit application forms and permit fees as soon as they know their vessels will be entering Minnesota waters. Vessels that routinely transit Minnesota waters should submit a permit application at least 180 days before entering Minnesota waters. Permit applications should be submitted at least 180 days before vessels enter Minnesota waters. However, MPCA understands that vessel routes are not always known 180 days in advance; in these situations, applications should be submitted as soon as possible so the vessel can obtain permit coverage before entering Minnesota waters.

• Ballast Water General Permit — Application Form (wq-s8-02)
• Permit Application Checklist for Miscellaneous Waste Types (wq-wwprm7-04c)

1. If a BWSMP has previously been approved by the MPCA and has not been modified since approval, permittees may check the box on the application form stating this instead of submitting a new copy. For voyages that originate outside the EEZ, ensure that your BWSMP includes ballast water exchange if you have installed a ballast water treatment system.
2. An original “wet” signature must be included on the submitted permit application, if a hard copy is submitted rather than applying through the e-Services portal.

Permit application fees and annual fees can be paid electronically using the MPCA's e-Services portal, if paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or electronic EFT (checking or saving account) from a participating bank based in the United States.

Additional Minnesota specific requirements for vessels with treatment systems:

• Vessels are required to conduct ballast water exchange regardless of the installation of a treatment system if the vessel’s  voyage originated outside the EEZ. This activity must be stated in your Ballast Water and Sediment Management Plan (BWSMP).
• Vessels are required to report chemical additives use and may require chemical additive approval by the MPCA depending on the type of chemicals used in treatment and discharged. Please review the requirements and follow the procedures in the guidance and calculator documents. Get helpful tips and see a demonstration of the calculator in the videos linked below.

• Chemical Additive Review Guidance (wq-wwprm2-12)
• Chemical Additive Calculator (wq-wwprm2-12a)

Permit Coverage

The MPCA issues ballast water discharge general permits to commercial vessels that transit the Minnesota waters of Lake Superior: Ballast Water General Permit.

The permit covers both oceangoing and Great Lakes-only vessels that are required to obtain the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Vessel General Permits (VGP).

Minnesota statutes

In 2008, the Minnesota Legislature adopted Minn. Stat. § 115.1701-115.1707.

• Minn. Stat. § 115.1703 requires vessels to develop, and the MPCA to approve, BWMPs. The conditions required for the BWMP are detailed in the ballast water permit application.
• Minn. Stat. § 115.1705 requires vessels to keep records of ballast activities. Both the BWMP and the record book are requirements in the general ballast water discharge permit.

List of vessels with permit coverage

• Permitted Vessels: Vessels Covered by Ballast Water General Permit (wq-s8-04)

Disclaimer: Although the MPCA makes every attempt to ensure that the information placed on this website is accurate and current, this site may not contain all of the vessels issued coverage under the permit by the MPCA. All ballast water permit applications and related documents are available for inspection at the MPCA's Duluth office, 525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 400, Duluth, MN 55802.

What are vessel discharges?

During the normal course of ship operations, ballast water is taken on or discharged by ships to accommodate changes in the weight of the ship due to fuel loading and use, loading and unloading of cargo, and to increase the stability of a ship due to adverse weather conditions. Ballast water uptake and discharge typically occurs at port operations, but also can occur during transit between ports.

Vessels also have other discharges such as deck runoff, bilge water (water that collects in the lowest part of the ship's hull and may contain oil, grease, and other contaminants), water from cooling and firemain systems, chain locker effluent, and gray water (waste water from showers, sinks, and kitchens). EPA’s VGP covers over 25 specific discharge categories. Minnesota’s permit only covers ballast water discharges.

Sewage discharges from ships are currently regulated under federal rules. Of these discharges, ballast water by far is the greatest in volume.

Permit-related documents

• Ballast Water General Permit — Application Form: Vessel owners and operators with vessels eligible for coverage under the ballast water discharge general permit should submit this form.
• Permit Application Checklist for Miscellaneous Waste Types: This form is required along with the Ballast Water General Permit – Application for new and reissuing permits.
• Permit Change Request Form: Use this form to change owners or operators or to terminate your ballast water discharge permit

Background

The transportation industry on the Great Lakes is vitally important to Minnesota's economy. However, discharges of ballast water from oceangoing and laker vessels may contain aquatic invasive species.

The MPCA, working with other state, federal, tribal, and international organizations, is taking steps to address this threat through a ballast water discharge permit. Vessels transiting the Minnesota waters of Lake Superior that are required to submit a Notice of Intent to obtain coverage under the U.S. EPA Vessel General permit are required to obtain a Notice of Coverage under the Minnesota permit.

Resources

Federal

• Ballast Water Management Program (U.S. Coast Guard) 
• Invasive aquatic species: Ballast water (U.S. Dept of Agriculture)
• Invasive Species (U.S. EPA)
• Vessels: Incidental Discharge Permitting (U.S. EPA)

State-based

• Aquatic Invasive Species (Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality) 
• Aquatic Invasive Species (Minnesota Sea Grant)
• Ballast Water Program (Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality)
• Invasive Species (Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources)
• Invasive Species Program (Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources)
• Marine Invasive Species Program (California State Lands Commission)

Great Lakes

• Ballast water (Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway) 
• GLANSIS — Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System 
• Great Lakes Aquatic Nuisance Species (Great Lakes Commission)
• Great Ships Initiative

Other

• Ballast Water Management (International Maritime Organization)

For more information

• Steven Theisen, Ballast water permitting and coordinator, 651-757-2602
• John Thomas, permit compliance, 218-302-6616
• Theresa Haugen, water quality permits supervisor, 218-316-3920
• Jeff Stollenwerk, water quality permits and compliance manager, 218-302-6612