Red River pollution fears prompt Manitoba to join U.S. lawsuit

[Only The Lonely..]

Red River pollution fears prompt Manitoba to join U.S. lawsuit


Last Updated: Thursday, October 2, 2008 | 7:49 PM CT | The Associated Press

Manitoba has joined nine U.S. states in suing the Bush administration over U.S. federal rules on water dumped from ships.

The states fear that a ruling could allow the transfer of polluted or contaminated water by ship from one body of water to another, where it would do harm.

For example, they say salt water from the ocean could be dumped in the Great Lakes.

The states suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Washington.

Manitoba has joined because of concerns that a $28-million US Devils Lake outlet in North Dakota sends water into the Sheyenne River, which drains into the Red River. That, in turn, empties into Lake Winnipeg, raising concerns about the transfer of harmful material.

But officials in North Dakota say the Canadian fears are unfounded.

At issue is regulation of water discharges from ballast and other sources on vessels large and small.

State officials said that if the federal action is allowed to stand, ships and boats could carry sediment-laden water into clear drinking water reservoirs.

As well, water containing chemicals could foul sources for farm irrigation and warm water could be pumped into cold-water habitats, threatening trout.

The states' action also targets invasive species contained in ballast that could destroy lakes and rivers.

[Greco Roman]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

Red River pollution fears prompt Manitoba to join U.S. lawsuit


Last Updated: Thursday, October 2, 2008 | 7:49 PM CT | The Associated Press

Manitoba has joined nine U.S. states in suing the Bush administration over U.S. federal rules on water dumped from ships.

The states fear that a ruling could allow the transfer of polluted or contaminated water by ship from one body of water to another, where it would do harm.

For example, they say salt water from the ocean could be dumped in the Great Lakes.

The states suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Washington.

Manitoba has joined because of concerns that a $28-million US Devils Lake outlet in North Dakota sends water into the Sheyenne River, which drains into the Red River. That, in turn, empties into Lake Winnipeg, raising concerns about the transfer of harmful material.

But officials in North Dakota say the Canadian fears are unfounded.

At issue is regulation of water discharges from ballast and other sources on vessels large and small.

State officials said that if the federal action is allowed to stand, ships and boats could carry sediment-laden water into clear drinking water reservoirs.

As well, water containing chemicals could foul sources for farm irrigation and warm water could be pumped into cold-water habitats, threatening trout.

The states' action also targets invasive species contained in ballast that could destroy lakes and rivers.

Too bad so sad. We need to do what we have to in order to protect our waterways and their ecosystems. Period.

[viperred88]

what pure ignorance eh!!!

[JayM]

Well you know seeing how they see it the rivers flow north and that's where they claim they own the rivers.. blah

[viperred88]

As far for pollution we are pretty igrorant as well, we let pesticides , herbicide and pig shit and carcasses flow in our rivers. And rural town have there sewage ponds sit by the river that leach into the ground and gets washed away during the spring flood. Even this city sewage after a heavy rainfall. You see we are all to blame for letting our lakes die.

[The Jabroni]

There really has to be a very serious pollution control on our rivers and lakes. Lake Winnipeg is already dying, and if people continue to do about their business with dumping chemicals or letting things leach into our natural watwerways, then going to, say, Grand Beach in years time, will be a very hazardous experience.

You're right viper. Everybody is to blame on this one, and if nothing happens, everybody loses, and people who complain about it by then has no right to do so because they did nothing.

[viperred88]

I just hope our goverments adopt alot more green policies, like today. Maybe the liberals will rebrand themselves and adopt or merge with the green party, who knows. Minus the legalising pot.

[vid]

And minus the ending NAFTA.

Thunder Bay's harbour is infested with zebra mussels and lampreys. Lampreys, btw, are the ugliest things on the planet.

A small dam in Chicago is all that keeps Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. Once those get in, the whole GLS ecosystem is, for lack of a better word, fucked. A lot of lakes around the city are contaminated with invasive species, and there are regulations on how to clean boats when going from lake to lake, etc. I can't remember the name, but there is some sort of European fish that's in Lake Superior and they're trying to get people to take measures to keep it out of smaller lakes, but I doubt it'll work. They'll be all over the region within a decade, all because people are too lazy to be responsible.