California raises per-vessel invasive species fee by 56%
The California State Board of Equalization plans to increase the state's ballast water management fee by 56 percent, effective Aug. 1.
The fee, which is meant to cover annual shortfalls in the Marine Invasive Species Control Fund, will increase to $625 per vessel voyage, from $400. The MISC Fund supports the State Land's Commission's ballast water management and control program.
The state Public Resource Code allows the SLC to change the fee when adequate funds are not available to meet the SLC's ballast water program. The State Board of Equalization handles collection and distribution of the fees.
California raises per-vessel invasive species fee by 56%
