Fish and Game tackles invasive species problem

Dear Sir,
I am very happy to see that the Coast Guard has taken a strong interest in ballast water, but at the same time it is quite sad that our military has found it necessary to implement control over private enterprise in order to protect American rights to clean water.
With the House of Representatives, the largest, elected, legislative voice of the people , already, overwhelmingly approving strong legislation (395-7), that the Senate did not want to enact, for fear, "of over ridding “states rights issues" any question of a difference of opinion in this country about what people want done in regards to ballast water should have been answered. The questions should be, why is releasing bacterial pathogens and virus in American waters,(that are capable of spreading health problems to all Americans) a states rights issue? or Will any new legislation, with any lower standards or goals, be fostering a compromise to those who wish to put states rights over a stronger bill, or delay a strong time line,(capable of acting as a loophole for shipping), or those believing that exemptions should be allowed for vessels on our Fresh water Great Lakes (where human pathogens and virus could spread easier without any salt water and technology)? As new shipping routes are established in the Arctic, where diluted salinity and future mining and exploration rights in the Deep Sea Bed will release new microbes, a strong national policy enacted by our congress,(at least as strong as the one passed by the house), would set world precedent. Please let the Coast Guard know the American people have already commented on their wish through their elected officials. Those who understand this problem, for years have expressed their opinion and unfortunately the Coast Guard is allowing another chance for the minority of business concerns to raise objections on an issue that the House of Representatives has already addressed. We do not need to delay change in the current policy of dilution being the solution to pollution.

Sincerely,
Don Mitchel

Dear Sirs, Yesterday October 23 2009,the house passed h.r.3619 and seems to show that once again that previous legislation on ballast water passed by the house may have been just as Rep Oberstar has reportedly expressed “bullshit”. The following is from the House of Representatives discussion about again addressing ballast water with the latest Coast Guard Authorization Act.H.R.3619 on oct22. it is sad they still do not mention the human pathogens associated with ballast dumping.“Lastly, I am concerned with our inability to include language that would establish uniform national standards for vessel discharges, including ballast water. "

"I would like to talk briefly about a provision that was not included in this year’s bill, ballast water management"
"Although I would have liked this bill to once again include a provision on ballast water management, I am cognizant that this provision may be one of the reasons this bill has been held up in the Senate." It is sad they still do not mention the human pathogens associated with ballast dumping. Perhaps this is why the Senate can still consider this a states rights issue. As politicians wish to be treated with respect and decorum, history has proven that Senators can be for sale, and it only takes one Senator from a state that oil transportation and shipping of foreign goods plays an important part of their economy to hold ballast water regulations up on a states right issue.
Sincerely, Don Mitchel

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