The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Editorials

November 24, 2005

Our view — Aquatic species bill a good idea

Minnesota is known for its lakes, so it makes sense to protect these vital natural resources.

Attorney General Mike Hatch and state Sen. Ann Rest are proposing a bill aimed at slowing the spread of invasive species into Lake Superior and other waters in the sate, according to published reports. Rest will introduce the bill in the next legislative session.

This is needed legislation. Already, the zebra mussel has caused about $2 billion in damage in the past decade by clogging intake pipes and screens at power plants.

This legislation will not rid state waters of the mussel, but will hopefully keep other invasive species out. It would require oceangoing vessels that enter state waters to get a permit and show officials that their ballast-discharge methods do not introduce foreign species.

While the industry has said the regulations will be expensive, Hatch said they will be simple and not costly. Besides keeping ballast tanks clean, ships will not be allowed to empty the tanks into the lake.

This legislation is necessary because, according to Rest, the federal government is not doing enough to respond to the problem of invasive species. Advocates say species ranging from shrimp, which eat food sought by native fish, to a crustacean that smothers insects and food for other fish could be brought into the state’s waterways on these ships in the future.

The argument by companies that tighter rules would put the state at a competitive disadvantage are just threats. Michigan is pushing the tougher standards, and other states — including Minnesota — should follow Michigan’s lead.

This is not about hurting shipping companies, or implementing restrictive or unnecessary rules. This is simply needed legislation to protect Minnesota’s waters. Lawmakers should give this bill strong support and not delay its passage.

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