WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources, today hailed progress that is being made on an issue of great concern for Michigan, keeping invasive species out of the Great Lakes.  In Congressional testimony today, Collister Johnson, head of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, stated that his organization in collaboration with the US Coast Guard and Transport Canada has implemented a ballast water inspection process on 100% of the ocean going freighters that enter the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway.  This inspection process has resulted in a decrease of invasive species in the Great Lakes, according to Johnson.  Miller was successful in including language in legislation last year that would have mandated such inspections, but unfortunately that legislation was never acted upon in the United States Senate.  Miller applauded Johnson’s efforts, saying that preventing invasive species from entering the lakes was critical and it was appropriate following inaction of the Senate for his agency to take action. 

“This is positive news for the Great Lakes,” said Miller.  “Invasive species have had a negative impact on the Great Lakes and the vast majority of those species get here in the ballast water of ocean going ships which enter the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway.  The US Coast Guard working together with the St. Lawrence Seaway clearly understands the scope and severity of the problem and has implemented a system to inspect the ballast water on 100% of the ocean going vessels entering our Lakes and is taking action to mitigate the chances that invasive species in those ballast tanks will enter our ecosystem.”

 In testimony today before the House Water Resources Subcommittee Johnson stated that American and Canadian authorities have put in place a policy that all ships, prior to entry, must have their ballast tanks inspected and emptied and that there is 97% compliance.  Ships that are not compliant have their ballast tanks sealed as they enter the seaway and may not discharge ballast in the St. Lawrence Seaway or Great Lakes waters.  Johnson reported that the number of invasive species has dropped considerably since they started the inspections. 

“I am greatly encouraged by the news that these inspections and mitigating actions have resulted in a considerable drop in the introduction of invasive species to the Great Lakes,” said Miller.  “These efforts will help protect the fragile ecosystem in our waterways, and now Congress must act to ensure that in the future we continue to abide by these strict requirements.”