Bills aim to curb aquatic invaders

JOHN DODGE, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- Ship ballast water capable of transporting invasive aquatic species is entering Puget Sound at an alarming rate, according to a new state survey.

A study of ships calling on Puget Sound ports the past three months of 2001 found that 41 percent were disposing of ballast water from other coastal areas around the globe, state lawmakers heard Monday.

Potential threat

Ballast water, which stabilizes ships at sea, is one of the major carriers of non-native aquatic species that, when introduced to a new area, can disrupt marine ecosystems and supplant native species.

The amount of ballast water dumped in Puget Sound from October through December 2001 was more than 191,000 metric tons, enough to fill 76.5 Olympic-size swimming pools, said Scott Smith, aquatic nuisance species coordinator for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Deadline nears

In 2000, the state Legislature passed the Ballast Water Management Act, establishing 2002 as the year for setting standards for discharge of treated ballast water.

On Monday, the Senate Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines Committee heard testimony on a bill to extend the 2002 deadline to 2004.

"We still don't have the magic box that cleans ballast water," Eric Johnson of the Washington Public Ports Association said of dockside treatment systems.

And on-ship treatment systems for ballast water can cost $400,000 to $2 million to install, said Rick Wakeman of the Columbia River Steamship Operators.

Options for treatment include ultraviolet lights, ozone, chemicals and filtration systems, Smith said.

Senate Bill 6538 would give a committee representing shippers, the petroleum industry, port officials and environmentalists another two years to come up with a workable ballast water treatment plan to present to the Legislature, including ways to finance it.

Another measure, Senate Bill 6553, calls on the state Fish and Wildlife director, in concert with other state agencies, to develop a rapid response plan for cases when an aquatic species invades state waters.

The bill would require Fish and Wildlife and the State Patrol to inspect watercraft entering the state for aquatic pests. The main conduit for nuisance species, including weeds, are recreational boats and trailers.

A 2002 boater survey found that only 35 percent of the boaters contacted were aware of the problems caused by invasive aquatic species. Anywhere from 14 percent to 38 percent of boats and trailers inspected at boat ramps had some type of weed clinging to them, the survey showed.

The bill also calls on Fish and Wildlife to classify non-native aquatic species based on risk and make it illegal for someone to possess or transport a prohibited species.

"That seems a little heavy-handed when only 35 percent of the voters know about the problem," said state Sen. Eric Poulsen, D-Seattle.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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