Compliance
Ballast Water Discharge Standard Rulemaking Program
The Volpe Center provided technical support to
the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in the preparation
of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
compliance process for the Ballast Water
Discharge (BWD) Standard Rulemaking
Program. The objective of the program is to
prevent or reduce the introduction of aquatic
Nonindigenous Species (NIS) via shipping
activities in U.S. waters. Ballast water is a major
pathway for the introduction of NIS. When
introduced, NIS can negatively impact aquatic
ecosystems, fisheries, infrastructure, human
health, and economic systems.
The Volpe Center, with the collaboration of
internationally recognized scientists in the fields
of aquatic invasive species ecology and
mathematical ecology, assessed the potential
consequences of the rulemaking. The high degree
of complexity and limited knowledge of aquatic
ecosystems, along with the large variability in the
transport of organisms by means of ballast water,
make it extremely difficult to predict NIS
introduction and impacts. Based on a detailed
study of the current state of scientific knowledge
regarding the aquatic NIS invasion process and
the prediction of invasion and impacts, the Volpe
Center developed and implemented a
scientifically valid methodology to analyze the
impacts of the rulemaking. The Volpe Center
prepared a technical report summarizing the
analytical methodology and results and is
currently preparing a Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement to accompany
the rulemaking. (Sponsored by DHS/USCG)
Source: Volpe Center Points of Pride, FY 2006 - pp. 18-19
