VHS and new ballast water regulations.

[Nate McVey]

I was doing some more research today on VHS on line.......long story short, I sent an email to someone with MPR and got this for a response.

Quote:

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Thanks for the note. I don’t know of any meetings or such upcoming on VHS. I do know that Congressman Oberstar is trying to quickly push through some new ballast water regulations, and I believe his motivation is largely because of this fish virus. Here’s a quote from a press release I got yesterday (Tuesday):

“On Wednesday afternoon, the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment will hold a hearing on invasive species in the Great Lakes. Ocean going ships have brought species like the sea lamprey and zebra mussel to Great Lakes waters for years. Oberstar says the problem has been studied and it is time to act. "We know that we have to prevent future zebra mussel type invasions," said Oberstar. "I'm at an end of patience with studies. We need an action plan preventing against the next generation of invasive species that's going to further devastate our Great Lakes waters."

Oberstar expects legislation on invasive species to be introduced in the upcoming weeks.”

Also, I’m aware that the retired scientist in my story, Gary Glass, has recovered some dead fish from Lake Superior that he thinks might have died from the virus. But we haven’t heard any test results that could prove that.

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I sent the letter with the petition out today, so I will keep posting any new news I receive. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to sign the petition and send the letters.

[Green&Gold]

Well that is at least semi-encouraging. Thanks again for taking the time to do all of this. Let's hope for the best.

[nblasin]

There was a meeting on this subject at the MPCA meeting room on 2/15/07. Here is they flyer they used for it. I wanted to attend but was out of town for work.

PUBLIC MEETING

Fish-killing virus threatens TwinPorts fishery

Time & Place

Thurs., Feb. 15, 2007, 7:00 PM,

MPCA Conf. Room Suit 400 (4th flr), Paulucci Bldg.,

Canal Park, Duluth,

Park & enter from back of the bldg, near bayside.

Five Experts Will Discuss the Fish-killing VHS Virus Threat, and What Can Be Done About It:

1) Aquatic invasive species (AIS) invasion from ballast water, history/impacts in the SLR estuary;

2) New VHS virus infestation in L's St. Clair, Erie, Ontario; Fish Health Committee Recommendations;

3) Expected VHS infestation, impacts on fish in SLR estuary: What to be watching for, preparations;

4 "Emergency Fish Disease" preventative actions needed to ward off infestation by ballast waters;

5) Actions being considered by USGS, and others, to protect fishery from transport and infestation of VHS virus to the Twin Ports harbor.

Panel Members

Dennis Pratt, Sr. Fishery Biologist, WI DNR, Superior;

Susan Marcquenski, Fish Health Spec., WI DNR, Madison;

Don Schreiner, L. Superior Fishery Manager, MN DNR;

Gary Glass, Sr. Research Scientist, UMD, Duluth;

Capt. of Port-Duluth, USCG, Invited, Duluth.

Sponsor: Izaak Walton League of America, Duluth Chapter

For more information: Dave Zentner, 724-3926 or Gary Glass, 525-2384