Rep. Miller Announces Two Bills to Improve Michigan's Water

Rep. Miller Announces Two Bills to Improve Michigan's Water

U.S. Representative Candice Miller today introduced legislation that would establish a national framework to mitigate the damaging effects of ballast water and invasive species on the Great Lakes. The bill would impose a stringent federal standard for vessels carrying ballast water, requiring that their discharged water meets a standard 10 times more stringent than the one currently set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The bill would also require that all ships entering the U.S. must complete their ballast water exchanges before entering the country.

The regulations would go into effect nationwide in 2010.

"Ballast water from foreign vessels has caused irreparable damage to the Great Lakes through its introduction of invasive species," Rep. Miller said. "The Great Lakes are an international resource that must be cherished and treasured, and we have a responsibility to protect them and ensure they remain an invaluable resource for our future generations."

"I am proud that Michigan has been a leader in imposing tougher standards on ballast water, but we stand to lose out economically because other states have not taken the same active approach to cracking down on the invasive species problem," Rep. Miller continued. "All Great Lakes states have an obligation to preserve the health and purity of our water, which is why I am proposing a federal standard for vessels carrying ballast water. Michigan should not suffer financially because of its commitment to protecting the environment."

Rep. Miller also announced that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, of which she is a member, approved a bill that will allocate over $20 billion in funding for wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Michigan and other states. If signed into law, Michigan would receive over $800 million over 5 years for infrastructure upgrades. This bill marks the first time in 20 years that Congress has taken action to reauthorize funding for wastewater infrastructure needs.

"Southeast Michigan residents are acutely aware of need of upgrading and rightsizing the underground infrastructure," Rep. Miller said "We have been subjected to years of beach closures and pollutants in our waterways. Action on this issue was long overdue, and this bill will help communities all over Michigan finally obtain the financial assistance they need upgrade their deteriorating sewer systems."

H.R. 720 specifically reauthorizes the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program to provide low interest loans for clean water pollution control projects.

http://candicemiller.house.gov/Read.aspx?ID=278