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Local members of Congress lead charge on ballast legislation

The Great Lakes environmental community has been calling for a solution to the ballast problem, and federal decision-makers in the region were pivotal pushing it forward in the House of Representatives.

Representative Oberstar (Minnesota), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, spearheaded the effort, and last year brilliantly included a ballast title in the Coast Guard Authorization Act, a moving vehicle.

In recent months, he worked with stakeholders and committee members to strengthen the program. He also included two amendments originally proposed by Representatives Emanuel (Illinois) and Kind (Wisconsin) to enhance reporting and transparency, and clarify that vessels claiming no ballast on board had to comply with treatment requirements.

Representative LaTourette (Ohio) is the ranking minority member of the Coast Guard Subcommittee. Without his support, this bill wouldn’t have seen the light of day. On the floor he expressed numerous times “how proud of this bill [he] was and for parties to come together and do the right thing.” Representative Kirk (Illinois) led an important amendment, which was included in the bill, to ensure that the Coast Guard has the authority to require rapid response onboard Lakers if they present the risk of spreading infectious disease from one lake to another.

Representative Slaughter (New York) played a critical role in ensuring the Kirk amendment made its way to the floor. As chair of the Rules Committee she decides which amendments are included in the floor discussion.

© 2008 Great Lakes News.