Letter to the Hon. Andrew Wheeler, Admin. of the Environmental Protection Agency - Schumer, Gillibrand: 30 days is insufficient for public to review new EPA rule for discharges from commercial vessels that will impact the Great Lakes for generations; senators urge Feds to extend written comment period & hold virtual hearings to allow NY residents sufficient time to voice concerns about proposed federal ballast water rule

Letter

Dear Administrator Wheeler,

As Senators representing Great Lakes states, we write to urge the EPA to extend from 30 to 90 days the comment period for the proposed Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards (EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0482). It is imperative that people and stakeholders have sufficient time to review and comment on a rule of such profound importance to the wellbeing of the Great Lakes.

A curtailed 30-day comment period is woefully inadequate for a rule of this magnitude, particularly as the public continues to confront new challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Executive Order 12866 suggests that a 60-day comment period is the minimum necessary to afford the public a meaningful opportunity to comment during normal times. With several Great Lakes states experiencing increasing cases and continued disruption as a result of the pandemic, more time is needed for people and stakeholders in the Great Lakes region to participate in this rulemaking process. Moreover, the complexity and importance of this rulemaking requires sufficient time for review and comment before final adoption.

The proposed standards are of vital interest to the Great Lakes, which comprise the largest freshwater ecosystem on Earth and contain 20% of the world's freshwater supply. They provide drinking water to over 40 million people and support a $7 billion fishing industry and expansive recreation and tourism economies. Fending off the introduction of new and the spread of existing aquatic invasive species is critical to ensuring the health of these waters and the economies they support.

In addition to providing a longer comment period, we also urge the EPA to host at least one virtual public hearing dedicated to the rule's impacts on the Great Lakes. To maximize participation, the virtual hearing should include the option for video conferencing and call in. The technology to do so is readily available and should be employed.

Thank you for your consideration of these requests.

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