Resolution: The Use of Marine Sanitation Devices on the Great Lakes
Adopted on May 12, 2000

Whereas, all commercial cargo and overnight cruise vessels plying the Great Lakes are required to have Coast Guard -approved marine sanitation devices (MSDs) in good working order; and

Whereas, waterborne disease from untreated or inadequately treated sewage is an ongoing concern in the Great Lakes Basin; and

Whereas, these MSDs usually entail a three part process – use of aerobic bacteria; disinfecting the effluent usually by chlorination or exposure to ultraviolet light; and retention onboard/or discharge overboard of treated sewage; and

Whereas, increasing public and government concern over fecal bacterial pollution of Great Lakes bathing beaches has raised questions about any linkage with commercial vessels and recreation boats operating in the vicinity; and

Whereas, the relationships among potential inshore and offshore sources of bacterial contamination, and their impact to water quality along our shorelines, are extremely complex; and

Whereas, certain Great Lakes states are considering establishing no-discharge zones on all or part of their Great Lakes waters which would prohibit the operational use of some MSDs in those areas; Wisconsin has established a no-discharge zone for its Lake Michigan waters and Michigan has done so for all of its Great Lakes waters; and

Whereas, member states of the Great Lakes Commission asked the Commission to convene a workshop to discuss the use of MSDs on the Great Lakes and address other relevant issues; and

Whereas, the workshop was held November 10, 1999 in Hammond , Indiana and featured speakers on various topics including public health issues, MSD manufacture and function, regulations and enforcement and perspectives of the domestic and overseas commercial navigation industry; and

Whereas, commercial navigation representatives announced, at the workshop, a new voluntary program whereby operators will perform and record weekly chemical and other tests, as well as provide samples of shipboard effluent twice a year for independent laboratory evaluation; and

Whereas, the findings of the workshop included:

• malfunction of MSDs on U.S. and Canadian commercial vessels is not a documented problem
• further research is needed for a coordinated regional approach that assures the regulation of MSDs is equitable and based upon sound scientific principles

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission commends the commercial navigation industry for its proactive approach in implementing the "Great Lakes Industry Voluntary Testing Program" for marine sanitation devices; and

Be It Further Resolved, that based on discussion at the November 10, 1999 workshop the Commission recommends that:

• further research be undertaken to identify sources of beach contamination
• offshore water quality monitoring should complement inshore methods
• there be thorough consideration of the need for new no-discharge zones
• state enforcement of sewage disposal laws for recreational boaters should be a priority

And, Be It Further Resolved, that more research and investigation is needed to address these questions:

• Are any changes to the current MSD inspection and enforcement efforts needed?
• Can bacterial contamination events be traced to particular sources through new research and technology?
• What role do marinas and recreational boaters play in sewage/water quality problems?

And, Be It Finally Resolved, that the Workshop findings and recommendations and identified unmet needs will be presented to:

• relevant agencies in the Great Lakes states and provinces
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards
• Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
• other U.S. and Canadian government agencies as well as organizations deemed to be appropriate

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.