PROPOSALS REQUESTED FOR BALLAST WATER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

PROPOSALS REQUESTED FOR BALLAST WATER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT    The U.S. Maritime Administration, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are jointly requesting proposals for ballast water technology demonstration projects.
   Deadline for proposals for the use of MarAd ships for the testing is July 8, and the deadline for proposals for NOAA funding is July 22, MarAd said Wednesday.
   Nearly $2.1 million, and the use of MarAd ships as test platforms will be made available for applicants who submit successful proposals.
   During the past two years, some testing of new technologies has occurred on various privately owned vessels and at facilities nationwide, but there has not yet been any large-scale testing and demonstration aboard ships. The first phase of testing will involve the use of MarAd ships at sites on the East and West coasts.
   MarAd said awards are expected to be made by August 15. The Federal Ballast Water Demonstration Project is a multi-agency effort meant to curb the presence of aquatic nuisance species that invade destination ports upon arrival.