Richard John Elzby

I am concerned that the U.S. Congress revised and upheld a policy that will continue to allow freighters to dump traces of cargo such as iron ore, wood chips and limestone into the Great Lakes. Although cargo sweeping is illegal in U.S. waters it seems that carriers on the Great Lakes are now operating under an Interim Enforcement Policy since 1993 which allows for the incidental of dry cargo residues. Freighters, I am told, dump nearly 500 tonnes of waste into the Great Lakes water system annually. I have major concerns about the long-term effects of such practices. Much of the waste, especially iron ore and taconite, contains toxic metals such as mercury that have the potential to contaminate wildlife as well as people. One act of cargo sweeping or one act of discharging ballast water is responsible for the decline of the Great Lakes but collectively, these acts are ravaging the entire ecosystem. As long as the U.S. Coast Guard sanctions the practice of sweeping waste into the Great Lakes, we cannot be confident that our lakes are protected. I feel that the USCG’s interim rule is out of step with existing environmental protections for the lakes in the United States and Canada, and internationally. Please consider my request for you to take steps necessary to stop this practice altogether. Other industries must treat wastes in plants designed for that purpose and I don't see that this situation is any different. Please protect our precious Great Lakes. Thank you.