Oregon Ballast Water Management Program

Introduction

Organisms introduced in ballast water associated with shipping pose a serious threat to the economic and ecological integrity of Oregon. The Center for Lakes and Reservoirs has played an important role in developing invasive species management policy in Oregon to address the problem. PSU was identified by the legislature to lead efforts on management of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) and to provide staff and coordination of the Oregon Ballast Water Task Force. The Task Force must report on the efficacy of the Oregon Ballast Water Management Program (ORS Chapter 722) that became effective January 1, 2002.

The ballast water management program requires every ship (military and fishing vessels are exempt) coming into Oregon ports to submit a report of where and when ballast water was taken on and released during the ship's voyage. The report is submitted to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality by the Merchants Exchange. Ballast water management is an important component of the Oregon Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan (OANSMP), which was produced by the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs and approved by the Governor and National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (NANSTF).

Oregon Program

The Oregon Ballast Water Management Program evolved from meetings of the Pacific Ballast Water Group in 1997, an ad hoc organization of environmental groups, academic scientists, regulators, and the shipping industry that came together at PSU to discuss ballast water management on the West Coast when the federal and state programs were in their infancy.  In recognition of the potential for ANS discharged in ballast water to cause economic and environmental damage to the state, the Port of Portland, the shipping industry, and PSU supported SB 895 in the 2001 legislative session. SB 895 established the Oregon Ballast Water Program.

The program was modified by the legislature in 2003 (HB 3620), 2005 (HB 2170) and 2007 (SB 643 & 644). The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) was given authority for implementing and enforcing ballast water management regulations in Oregon. From the onset, the Oregon Ballast Water Management Program recieved no direct funding. However, during the 2007 legislative session SB 644 was passed, which provides funding for a full time ODEQ position to run the Oregon program. Ballast water management in Oregon is integrated with other aquatic invasive species management in the state through the Oregon Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan, which was produced, and is implemented, by the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at PSU. PSU coordinates aquatic nuisance species management with other state agencies through the Oregon Invasive Species Council.

Since January 2002, ballast water exchange and reporting have been required of all foreign and coastal arrivals (military and fishing vessels are exempt). Foreign arrivals are required to exchange their ballast at least 200 nm from shore and in at least 2000 m of water. The exchange requirement for coastal arrivals has changed since the onset of regulations. Originally, coastal vessels were required to exchange their ballast south of 40˚N or north of 50˚N on the Pacific coast, with no distance from shore or depth required. Effective January 2006, the coastal exchange requirement was changed to 50 nm from shore in at least 200 m of water (HB 2170).  The regulations exempt vessels that “discharge ballast water that originated solely from the waters located between the parallel 40˚N and parallel 50˚N on the West Coast of North America” from exchange.

To date, Oregon has not recommended ballast water treatment standards or an implementation program. The law does state, however, that a vessel is exempt from exchange if it “discharges ballast water that has been treated to remove organisms in a manner that is approved by the USCG”.

Additional Information

Report on the Oregon Ballast Water Management Program in 2002 [1357Kb pdf]

The Named Apendices -as .pdf files- in this report are:
Appendix A: Oregon Laws 2001, Chapter 722
Appendix B: Summary of Ballast Water Laws and Regulations
Appendix C: National Invasive Species Act, 1996 (1017Kb)
Appendix D: National Aquatic Invasive Species Act, 2002
Appendix E: Oregon Administrative Rule 340-143, 2002 (DEQ Ballast Water Management)
Appendix F: US Coast Guard Ballast Water Reporting Form

Report by the Oregon Ballast Water Task Force in 2004 [575k pdf]

Report by the Oregon Ballast Water Task Force in 2006 [618k pdf]