New rules on BWM for California effective this July

TIN news:  On April 19th, the California State Lands Commission (SLC) issued a letter to inform about its new rules on ballast water management that will take effect in the State of California on 1 July 2017.

In particular, the letter covers two Marine Invasive Species Program updates:

• The California State Lands Commission recently adopted Marine Invasive Species Act Enforcement and Hearing Process regulations. The regulations will be effective on July 1, 2017. By establishing administrative enforcement process for violations of the Marine Invasive Species Act, the risk of transferring nonindigenous species from vessels into state waters can be further decreased.

• Ports within California that are recognized for reporting by the Marine Invasive Species Program. Vessels are required to submit the Ballast Water Management Report at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives at that California port. If the vessel’s voyage is less than 24 hours, the vessel must submit the report prior to departing the port of departure. Vessels moving from one California port to another are required to file a separate Ballast Water Management Report for each port arrival.