A bill that would have eliminated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s authority in regulating ballast water discharge from cargo vessels was struck from the finalized 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

A Congressional Research Service report conducted last year stated that the goal of the legislation is to set a single ballast water management standard overseen by the Coast Guard.

However, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway advocacy groups, including Save the River, denounced the legislation, fearing that removal of EPA control over ballast water discharges could cause a wider spread of invasive species. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik said the Coast Guard was not “equipped” to handle the new discharge standards.

Dubbed the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, the non-defense-related bill would have directed the Coast Guard to establish new standards for ship discharge of ballast water, which is water carried in vessel ballast tanks to improve stability and discharged at port when cargo is loaded or unloaded.

Under VIDA, ballast water discharges would be exempt from Clean Water Act permits that are renewed every five years, which allows for re-evaluation, water level monitoring and improvements to treatment technology. Additionally, vessels operating in the Great Lakes or other “geographically limited areas,” according to the bill, would be exempt from ballast water treatment requirements.

Stefanik, R-Willsboro, had been working to remove the bill from the NDAA since May. In the NDAA’s initial development, the bill was added without a roll-call vote. While Stefanik had put forth an amendment to strike the bill from the NDAA, it was ultimately ruled out of order by the Rules Committee, allowing VIDA to remain until the finalized bill.

Stefanik said the ballast water issue was one she fought for vigorously in the conference committee.

“It shows how important it is to have a seat at the table for these issues,” she said. “The St. Lawrence River has an unique role in the health of the Great Lakes.”

With the legislation struck from the NDAA, Save the River Executive Director D. Lee Willbanks said he was happy Stefanik helped see it done.

“It was a great local issue, but it was a big, important national issue,” he said. “It shows a nice environmental sensitivity on her part that we appreciate.”

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(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country — the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh — are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.)