BALLAST WATER CONTROLS SET FOR SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY

BALLAST WATER CONTROLS SET FOR SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY    The U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., along with Canada’s Saint Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., is amending its regulations to make ballast water management practices mandatory for clearance of commercial vessels transiting the seaway.
   The new rules for the United States and Canada become effective March 26 at the beginning of the 2002 Seaway navigation season. The agencies believe the rules will help to prevent further introductions of aquatic nuisance species.
   Every vessel entering the seaway after operating beyond the exclusive economic zone must agree to comply with the “Code of Best Practices for Ballast Water Management” of the Shipping Federation of Canada. In addition, every vessel entering the Seaway that operates within the Great Lakes and the Seaway must agree to comply with the “Voluntary Management Practices to Reduce the Transfer of Aquatic Nuisance Species within the Great Lakes by U.S. and Canadian Domestic Shipping” of the Lake Carriers Association and Canadian Shipowners Association.
   Both the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. and Canada’s Saint Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. will assess the effectiveness of this regulation after the 2002 Seaway navigation season.