DETROIT, April 2 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network — Michig…

DETROIT, April 2 2005 - LAWFUEL - The Law News Network -- Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced that a federal court has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate ballast water discharge from oceangoing ships under the Clean Water Act. Cox advocated the position as part of a regional effort tohalt the spread of harmful aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes. "I applaud the court's decision to safeguard our greatest natural treasure, the Great Lakes," Cox said. "These waters define Michigan and provide a foundation for our state's recreation, environment and economy. I vow to continue fighting to protect Michigan's environment today and for future generations." In granting summary judgment, the court concluded: "Congress has directly spoken on the question before the Court today, it is the end of the matter and the Court, as well as the EPA, must give effect to the unambiguously expressed intent of Congress." When large oceangoing vessels enter the Great Lakes and load their cargo, they discharge ballast water carried from other ports. This water may contain aquatic nuisance species, which wreak havoc on the ecosystem and reproduce rapidly in the absence of natural predators and diseases in their new environment. Aquatic nuisance species such as the zebra mussel, sea lamprey, ruffe and goby not only threaten the Great Lakes, but also pose a significant economic threat to the State of Michigan. Commercial and recreational fishing, boating, beaches, tourism and facilities, such as power plants that use water from the Great Lakes, all suffer from the effects of these species. The Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated that controlling zebra mussels and sea lampreys -- two of the most harmful aquatic nuisance species -- costs $45 million each year. Cox, along with seven attorneys General from the Great Lakes region, filed an amicus brief in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco in July of 2004 challenging the EPA's 1972 decision to exempt ballast water discharges from the Clean Water Act.

DETROIT, April 2 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network — Michig…

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