LANSING – Michigan would use the U.S. Coast Guard standards for preventing introduction of invasive species through ballast water rather than its own current standards under a bill that passed the Michigan House Thursday.
But HB 5095 passed 66-42. The bill would require the state stay at the current standard should the Coast Guard lessen its standard. In language added to the bill, it said the legislative intent of adopting the federal standard is to harmonize regulatory programs in the state.
However the added language also said if the federal government should change its standard, the state would determine if the new rule is less protective of the Great Lakes and act accordingly.
Supporters said the change would bring more export shipping traffic to Michigan, while opponents said it would leave the state more at risk for the introduction of invasive species.
Charlotte Jameson, government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said the bill would weaken the state’s standards.
“As exemplified by Michigan’s experience with the invasive zebra and quagga mussels, it is incredibly expensive to manage and virtually impossible to eradicate invasive species once they are established in our lakes, rivers, and streams,” she said in a statement. “The absolute last thing we should be doing is making it easier for these invaders to get a foothold in the Great Lakes – unfortunately, this short-sighted bill will do just that if it becomes law.”
This story was published by Gongwer News Service.
