Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Workshop on Bay Area Ballast Water Set

The Bay Planning Coalition, an organization dedicated to enhancing commerce, recreation and the natural environment in the San Francisco Bay region, will conduct a workshop on ballast water from 8 am to 11:30 am Thursday, June 7 in downtown Oakland.

Ballast water discharge has been cited as one of the primary sources for the spread of aquatic invasive species. The BPC will convene two panels during the workshop: one on the science of ballast water treatment and the other on federal and state ballast water regulation.

The workshop’s goal, according to the BPC, is to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders in the maritime and water/wastewater industries on ballast water regulations, treatment capabilities, environmental and economic impacts within the Bay. Specific regulations to be discussed include the 2006 California legislation mandating ballast water treatment standards for discharge in California waters; the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft 2013 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Vessel General Permit (VGP); and US Coast Guard mandates for vessels to install USCG-approved ballast water management systems.

Among those scheduled to give remarks in the panels are representatives from the ports of Oakland and San Francisco, the California Maritime Academy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The workshop’s location is the downtown Oakland offices of engineering and construction company URS, 1333 Broadway, Suite 800.

An attendance fee is required for members of the general public to attend. For more information on both the workshop and Bay Planning Coalition, visit http://bayplanningcoalition.org/2012-workshop-series/bpc-briefing-ballast-water-june-7-2012/.