Judge rules against EPA on dumping of ships' ballast water

Posted on Thu, Mar. 31, 2005


Judge rules against EPA on dumping of ships' ballast water

TERENCE CHEA

Associated Press


SAN FRANCISCO - In a decision that affects coastal waters nationwide, a federal judge ruled Thursday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can no longer allow ships to dump ballast water containing nonnative species without a permit.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ordered the EPA to immediately repeal regulations that exempt ship operators from having to obtain a permit to discharge the water, which often contains species from other countries that are considered harmful to native ecosystems.

"This is a slam dunk for healthy oceans," said Sarah Newkirk, clean water advocate for the Washington, D.C.-based Ocean Conservancy. "The court decision will prevent a vast amount of pollutants from the shipping industry from entering U.S. waters."

EPA officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment.


more...
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/11280395.htm

are notorious for dumping. Tourism is a toxic industry in many ways.

Other shipping operations have long thumbed their nose at any regs. Hope this has impact as once out at sea many things happen and I understand the monitors of such matters are in short supply. Anyway this ruling is a good thing.

for upholding the law rather than ruling in favor of the cartel-owned EPA. She is courageous. Like Judge Greer, she made a decision that is going to affect her life and put her in some degree of danger, though nothing like what Greer is in for. You have to respect the integrity of these people and be glad they are standing up to the monsters. They're about all that is, except for vestiges of the free press.

:shrug: