Resolution: Ballast Management for the Prevention and Control of Aquatic Nuisance Species
Adopted on May 12, 2000

Whereas, at least 145 nonindigenous aquatic species have been introduced into the Great Lakes ecosystem since the 1830's, with approximately one-third of those attributable to ballast water discharge; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes region is highly dependent on the safe, efficient, competitive and environmentally benign movement of iron ore, coal grain, manufactured goods and other products by commercial ships; and

Whereas, the unintentional introduction of certain nonindigenous species via ships' ballast water has adversely altered the ecological integrity of the Lakes and impaired related economies; and

Whereas, the ballast water of ocean-going commercial vessels, including the unpumpable water and sediment on "no-ballast-on-board" (NOBOB) vessels, is a primary vector for new species introductions; and

Whereas, despite the fact that the U.S. Federal Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990, as amended by the National Invasive Species Act of 1996, (NISA) has reduced the threat of new introductions by requiring vessels to engage in mid-ocean ballast exchange, unintentional introductions continue to occur as evidenced by new discoveries since mandatory ballast exchange was adopted in 1993; and

Whereas, concern over the continuing vulnerability of the Great Lakes to new species introductions and spread has prompted the recent introduction of more stringent state and federal legislation to address ballast management and the current weaknesses of NISA; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes Commission, under the terms of the Great Lakes Basin Compact of 1955, has a mandate to recommend uniform actions, laws and regulations addressing "destructive and parasitical forces" endangering the Great Lakes ecosystem; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes Commission has historically supported safe, efficient waterborne transportation as part of its recognition and promotion of the complimentary goals of environmental protection and economic development; and

Therefore, Be it Resolved that the Great Lakes Commission endorses the following principles to guide any prospective legislation, management or research activity associated with ballast water management:

• The introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species is a local, state, regional, national and international issue that must be addressed at all levels of government. Consistency in legal and policy approaches to addressing the ballast water vector among the Great Lakes jurisdictions is essential.
• Accelerated research is needed to determine the practicability, performance, cost-effectiveness, vessel safety and environmental health of various technological, biocidal and management solutions.
• The development and implementation of ballast water control measures should strive for open consultation with the Great Lakes states and provinces, U.S. and Canadian federal governments, and all parties affected by aquatic nuisance species introduction and spread.
• Proposed regulations and technological and biocidal solutions shall be based on the best available science, practicability, performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental health, and pursued on a regional basis to protect the health of the entire Great Lakes ecosystem.

Be It Further Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission recommends that interim best management practices for ballast water be adopted by all commercial vessels operating in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence system to immediately reduce the risk of future invasions while concurrent short and long-term solutions are weighed.

Be It Further Resolved, that the U.S. Coast Guard continue to vigorously enforce the ballast exchange requirements for all vessels entering the Great Lakes from outside the exclusive economic zone and, that the U.S. Coast Guard, in collaboration with other stakeholders, develop and implement solutions to prevent future invasions of nonindigenous species from vessels classified as having no ballast on board.

Be It Further Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission applauds, endorses and supports the Council of Great Lakes Governors in its efforts to pursue and promote a regional and binational solution that takes full advantage of work already accomplished by the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species.

Be It Finally Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission calls upon the Great Lakes Congressional Delegation, in consultation with the Great Lakes states, to advance federal legislation which will enable the U.S. Coast Guard and other relevant federal agencies to more aggressively identify solutions to the unintentional introduction of aquatic nuisance species via ships' ballast water.

Adopted by the unanimous action of the eight member states of the Great Lakes Commission at the 2000 Semiannual Meeting in Duluth, Minnesota on May 12, 2000.