May 23 WASHINGTON DC – Today, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation convened a hearing to discuss the Coast Guard’s efforts to streamline its rule making process and initiate permit streamlining pursuant to Executive Order 13563. During the hearing, Rep. Rick Larson (D-WA) inquired about the status of the ballast water rule. Rear Adm. Kevin Cook, director of prevention policy, U.S. Coast Guard, informed Subcommittee Members that the timeline for preparing the rule has been hindered by the lack of certainty surrounding adequate ballast treatment technology. Cook added that an interim rule will likely be noticed within the next six months. Regardless of the timing of the rule, it sounds like the effort to address invasive species may be picking up speed.
This summary was provided by Eric Sapirstein who is currently in DC following the proceedings.
Coast Guard Cutter Pike is moored to its homeport at Sector San Francisco on Yerba Buena Island. The Pike is an 87-foot patrol boat responsible for search and rescue, homeland security, and law enforcement missions in the San Francisco Bay area. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Pamela J. Manns)
