LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
- UPDATES
- Discussions over the executive action on immigration have been cited as delays in decisions of how to continue funding the government beyond Dec. 11
- Likelihood of another government shutdown is extremely low, though the prospect of a Continuing Resolution, an Omnibus appropriations bill, or some combination to fund the government still remains in play but looking likely.
- A new bill responding to the “Do Not Drink” advisory in Toledo, Ohio was introduced by Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), R. 5753, which is in addition to the other bills (noted in Oct edition). The bill would require the U.S. EPA to develop a strategic plan to assess manage cyantoxin risks in drinking water, including publishing a list of harmful cyanotoxins, summarize the health effects, determine whether to publish guidance on cyanotoxin levels, recommend treatment options, and establish cooperative agreements and technical assistance for states and local entities.
- David Joyce (OH-14), along with Great Lakes Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. John Dingell (MI-12) and Louise Slaughter (NY-25) and member Sandy Levin (MI-09), introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2014 (H.R. 5764), which authorizes the GLRI program at $300 million through FY2019, the end of the current Action Plan
- Barbara Boxer (CA) and Marco Rubio (FL) introduced short-term bills affecting the U.S. EPA’s Vessel General Permit and authority over discharges
- Rubio’s bill (S. 2943) postpones implementation of small VGP (sVGP) requirements for one year for vessels less than 79 feet and fishing vessels
- Boxer’s bill (S. 2963) would permanently exempt small vessels and fishing vessels from those requirements
- A permanent exemption was included in the broader Vessel Incidental Discharge Act introduced by Sen. Mark Begich (AK) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA-50) ( 2094;H.R. 5609)
- The U.S. EPA released its sVGP rule in September 2014 and it will come into effect when the current exemption for small boats and fishing vessels expires in December 2014.
EVENTS/HEARINGS/BRIEFINGS
NEMWI Webinar Recap: How Well Do Today’s Ballast Water Filters Perform in Natural Fresh Water?
The NEMWI Webinar: How Well Do Today’s Ballast Water Filters Perform in Natural Fresh Water?, which took place November 19, 2014, attracted nearly 100 participants and included presentations from researchers, filter system vendors, and ship owners. The webinar featured results from a year-long study by the NEMWI Great Ships Initiative to generate empirical information on ballast water management system filters in natural fresh water. The presentations were followed by a lively question and answer period. The webinar recording can be accessed here. Updated webinar slides and the final report on which it is based will be available on the NEMWI website in early December.