USC - National ballast water management information

View all text of Subchapter II [§ 4711 - § 4714]

§ 4712. National ballast water management information

(a) Studies on introduction of aquatic nuisance species by vessels

(1) Ballast exchange studyThe Task Force, in cooperation with the Secretary, shall conduct a study—

(A) to assess the environmental effects of ballast water exchange on the diversity and abundance of native species in receiving estuarine, marine, and fresh waters of the United States; and

(B) to identify areas within the waters of the United States and the exclusive economic zone, if any, where the exchange of ballast water does not pose a threat of infestation or spread of aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes and other waters of the United States.

(2) Biological study

(3) Shipping studyThe Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the need for controls on vessels entering waters of the United States, other than the Great Lakes, to minimize the risk of unintentional introduction and dispersal of aquatic nuisance species in those waters. The study shall include an examination of—

(A) the degree to which shipping may be a major pathway of transmission of aquatic nuisance species in those waters;

(B) possible alternatives for controlling introduction of those species through shipping; and

(b) Ecological and ballast water discharge surveys

(1) Ecological surveys

(A) In generalThe Task Force, in cooperation with the Secretary, shall conduct ecological surveys of the Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, and Honolulu Harbor and, as necessary, of other estuaries of national significance and other waters that the Task Force determines—

(i) to be highly susceptible to invasion by aquatic nuisance species resulting from ballast water operations and other operations of vessels; and

(ii) to require further study.

(B) Requirements for surveysIn conducting the surveys under this paragraph, the Task Force shall, with respect to each such survey—

(i) examine the attributes and patterns of invasions of aquatic nuisance species; and

(ii) provide an estimate of the effectiveness of ballast water management and other vessel management guidelines issued and regulations promulgated under this subchapter in abating invasions of aquatic nuisance species in the waters that are the subject of the survey.

(2) Ballast water discharge surveys

(A) In general

(B) Requirements for surveysIn conducting the surveys under this paragraph, the Secretary shall—

(i) examine the rate of, and trends in, ballast water discharge in the waters that are the subject of the survey; and

(ii) assess the effectiveness of voluntary guidelines issued, and regulations promulgated, under this subchapter in altering ballast water discharge practices to reduce the probability of accidental introductions of aquatic nuisance species.

(3) Columbia River

(1) Ballast exchange

(2) Biological and shipping studies

(d) Negotiations

(e) Regional research grantsOut of amounts appropriated to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year, the Under Secretary may—

(1) make available not to exceed $750,000 to fund research on aquatic nuisance species prevention and control in the Chesapeake Bay through grants, to be competitively awarded and subject to peer review, to universities and research institutions;

(2) make available not to exceed $500,000 to fund research on aquatic nuisance species prevention and control in the Gulf of Mexico through grants, to be competitively awarded and subject to peer review, to universities and research institutions;

(3) make available not to exceed $500,000 to fund research on aquatic nuisance species prevention and control for the Pacific Coast through grants, to be competitively awarded and subject to peer review, to universities and research institutions;

(4) make available not to exceed $500,000 to fund research on aquatic nuisance species prevention and control for the Atlantic Coast through grants, to be competitively awarded and subject to peer review, to universities and research institutions; and

(5) make available not to exceed $750,000 to fund research on aquatic nuisance species prevention and control in the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary through grants, to be competitively awarded and subject to peer review, to universities and research institutions.

(f) National ballast information clearinghouse

(1) In generalThe Secretary shall develop and maintain, in consultation and cooperation with the Task Force and the Smithsonian Institution (acting through the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center), a clearinghouse of national data concerning—

(A) ballasting practices;

(B) compliance with the guidelines issued pursuant to section 4711(c) of this title (as in effect on the day before December 4, 2018); and

(2) Ballast water reporting requirements

(A) In general

(B) Multiple discharges

(C) Advance report to StatesA State may require the owner or operator of a vessel subject to this chapter to submit directly to the State, or to an appropriate regional forum, a ballast water management report form—

(i) not later than 24 hours prior to arrival at a United States port or place of destination in the State, if the voyage of the vessel is anticipated to exceed 24 hours; or

(ii) before departing the port or place of departure, if the voyage of the vessel to the United States port or place of destination is not anticipated to exceed 24 hours.

(3) Vessel reporting data

(A) Dissemination to StatesOn receipt of a ballast water management report under paragraph (2), the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse shall—

(i) in the case of a form submitted electronically, immediately disseminate the report to interested States; or

(ii) in the case of a form submitted by means other than electronically, disseminate the report to interested States as soon as practicable.

(B) Availability to public

(4) Report

(A) In general

(B) ContentsEach report under this paragraph shall synthesize and analyze the data described in paragraph (1) for the preceding 2-year period to evaluate nationwide status and trends relating to—

(i) ballast water delivery and management; and

(ii) invasions of aquatic nuisance species resulting from ballast water.

(i) the Task Force; and

(ii) the Smithsonian Institution (acting through the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center).

(D) SubmissionThe Secretary shall—

(i) submit each report under this paragraph to—(I) the Task Force;(II) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and(III) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and

(ii) make each report available to the public.

(5) Working group

(Pub. L. 101–646, title I, § 1102, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4764; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(c), (g), (h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4081, 4091; Pub. L. 105–362, title XV, § 1502(d), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3295; Pub. L. 115–282, title IX, § 903(a)(2)(B), (h)(1), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4354, 4362.)