GLIN==> Wisconsin Takes Action on Invasive Species

Alliance for the Great Lakes - National Wildlife Federation - Natural
Resources Defense Council - Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
 
Wisconsin Takes Action on Invasive Species
 
Groups Say New Rule Amps Up Pressure for Strong Federal Ballast Water
Solution
 
ANN ARBOR, MICH. (November 20, 2009)—Conservation organizations today
supported the state of Wisconsin for taking action to prevent aquatic
invasive species from entering the Great Lakes and urged the federal
government to put forward a national solution. The state issued a permit
requiring foreign ships to treat their ballast water to prevent
non-native species, like the zebra mussel, from taking hold in the
world’s largest source of surface fresh water.
 
“Wisconsin has taken a positive step forward in the effort to shut the
door on aquatic invasive species and to protect our environment and
economy,” said Marc Smith, state policy manager for the National
Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Regional Center. “While the original
draft permit offered stronger protections for the Great Lakes, we hope
Wisconsin’s action will inspire other states—and eventually the federal
government—to step up and enact the toughest protections possible.”
 
Aquatic invasive species cost people, businesses, utilities and
communities at least $200 million per year, according to Notre Dame
University researchers. Ballast water discharge is the No. 1 way
non-native species enter the Great Lakes. 
 
“The problem of aquatic invasive species has gone unresolved for far
too long,” said George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin
Wildlife Federation. “Wisconsin has put an important stake in the ground
that indicates yet another state is stepping up to the plate to solve
this problem.”
 
Action by the state of Wisconsin comes as the U.S. EPA and Coast Guard
grapple with how to address the issue of invasive species introduced via
ballast water. After years of inaction, the Coast Guard is taking public
comment on a draft rule mandating ships treat their ballast water, while
the EPA is currently embroiled in litigation after issuing a ballast
water discharge permit conservation organizations contend is too weak. 

 
States such as Wisconsin, meanwhile, are taking action.
 
“Wisconsin joins a growing list of states in recognizing that the only
effective way to fight invasive species is to keep them out in the first
place,” said Henry Henderson, Director of NRDC’s Midwest Office.  “The
Coast Guard and EPA need to act quickly to adopt a strong federal
standard that further strengthens protections for the entire Great
Lakes.”
 
Wisconsin’s permit mandates that oceangoing vessels treat their ballast
water to prevent non-native species from entering the Great Lakes. It
offers a treatment standard more stringent than required by
international law, though less protective than standards put forward by
states such as New York and California.
 
“States like Wisconsin are taking one step forward on timelines for
stopping invaders,” said Joel Brammeier, acting president of the
Alliance for the Great Lakes. “But the Great Lakes will take two steps
back if the federal government can’t slam the door on these critters.”
 
More than 185 aquatic invasive species have been discovered in the
Great Lakes, and one new non-native species is discovered in the Lakes
every 28 weeks.  Since the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959,
more than 2/3 of invasive species have been likely introduced from
ballast water discharge. 
 
Preventing new invasive species introductions is one of the tenets of
restoring the Great Lakes. The U.S. Congress and President Obama
recently approved $475 million to restore the lakes.
 
“Restoring the Great Lakes depends on putting a stop to the invasive
species crisis,” said Smith. “Wisconsin is doing its part to slam the
door on invasive species, advance Great Lakes restoration and boost the
regional economy. We’re looking for the states and federal government to
do all they can to protect our Great Lakes, economy and way of life.”
 
The Brookings Institution found that the eight-state region of
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and
Wisconsin stands to gain at least $2 in economic benefit for every $1
invested in Great Lakes restoration.
 
For more information: www.nwf.org/greatlakes 
 
Formed in 1970, the Alliance for the Great Lakes is the oldest
independent citizens' organization in North America. Its mission is to
conserve and restore the world's largest freshwater resource using
policy, education and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and
clean water for generations of people and wildlife. More about the
Alliance for the Great Lakes is online at www.greatlakes.org.
 
The National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation
organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's
future.
 
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit
organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists
dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in
1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists, served from
offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and
Beijing.
 
The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is the state’s largest conservation
organization, comprised of 168 hunting, fishing, trapping and forestry
related organizations that have over 100,000 members. The Wildlife
Federation, founded in 1949, is dedicated to conservation education and
the advancement of sound conservation policies.
 
For Immediate Release:
November 19, 2009
 
Contact: 
Marc Smith, National Wildlife Federation, 734-255-5413
George Meyer, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, 608-516-5545
Josh Mogerman, Natural Resources Defense Council, 312-651-7909
Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes, 773-590-6494
Jordan Lubetkin, National Wildlife Federation, 734-887-7109
 
 
 
 
Jordan Lubetkin - Senior Regional Communications Manager
National Wildlife Federation
Great Lakes Regional Center
213 W. Liberty St., Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1398
www.nwf.org/greatlakes 
www.healthylakes.org ( http://www.healthylakes.org/ )

Phone: (734) 887-7109 
Cell: (734) 904-1589

Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.
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