Columbia River Ballast Water Information
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
The Coast Guard is committed to protecting U.S. waters from invasive species and supports a strong national and international solution that does not disrupt the continuous flow of maritime trade which drives the global economy.
The Coast Guard is committed to protecting U.S. waters from invasive species and supports a strong national and international solution that does not disrupt the continuous flow of maritime trade which drives the global economy.
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ)
Commercial vessels transiting into Oregon waters must submit a ballast water management reporting form (BWMR) to the Department of Environmental Quality (in addition to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse) at least 24 hours before arrival. Reports must be submitted on the USCG approved BWMR form - as an email attachment - to [email protected]
In the event a vessel’s actual ballast practices differ from those projected on the BWMR form, an amended form must be submitted to the Department and the NBIC prior to the vessel’s departure.
Ballast management requirements for discharge to Oregon waters
Under Oregon law, a vessel may discharge ballast waters into waters of the state if:
To meet the State of Oregon reporting requirements, the new form must be submitted as an email attachment to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
Ballast management vessel arrival feeCommercial vessels subject to ORS 783.620-640 are assessed a ballast management fee per transit to state waters. Effective January 2016 (Senate Bill 261), the fee is $88 per vessel arrival. Revenue generated from the fee provides support for DEQ ballast water program efforts, including report monitoring, compliance verification and technical support services. Fee collection and disbursement to DEQ is currently handled via contract with Portland Merchants Exchange.
Oregon ballast water management regulations
Program contacts
Rian Hooff, project manager: 503-229-6865 [email protected]: or
David Mastros, inspector: 503-229-6712 [email protected]
*Information sourced from Oregon DEQ website - March 2018.
Commercial vessels transiting into Oregon waters must submit a ballast water management reporting form (BWMR) to the Department of Environmental Quality (in addition to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse) at least 24 hours before arrival. Reports must be submitted on the USCG approved BWMR form - as an email attachment - to [email protected]
In the event a vessel’s actual ballast practices differ from those projected on the BWMR form, an amended form must be submitted to the Department and the NBIC prior to the vessel’s departure.
Ballast management requirements for discharge to Oregon waters
Under Oregon law, a vessel may discharge ballast waters into waters of the state if:
- The vessel conducts an open ocean exchange (at least 200 nautical miles from shore and in waters at least 2,000 meters deep); or
- The discharged ballast was solely sourced within ‘common waters’ of the state, identified as the West Coast region of North America between 40' N and 50'N; or
- A coastal exchange of ballast water takes place (at least 50 nautical miles from shore and in waters at least 200 meters deep) for coastwise voyages with ballast water solely sourced from the Pacific Coast region south of 40 N or north of 50N; or
- The discharged ballast underwent treatment in a manner authorized by Oregon Administrative Rule 340-143-0050; or
- Conditions are such that conducting an exchange would be unsafe or infeasible due to adverse weather, vessel design limitations or equipment failure. In these instances, the vessel must clearly declare a safety exemption on its ballast water reporting form and may be subject to operational delays and/or alternative management requirements following DEQ review.
- Vessels relying on shipboard treatment systems approved by U.S. Coast Guard must conduct an oceanic ballast water exchange – prior to treatment - if ballast water salinity is less than or equal to 18 parts per thousand (or when the vessel operator is unable to verify ballast salinity). Under these circumstances, vessels must conduct an exchange (or flush of empty tanks) resulting in ballast salinity of equal to or greater than 30 parts per thousand.
To meet the State of Oregon reporting requirements, the new form must be submitted as an email attachment to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
Ballast management vessel arrival feeCommercial vessels subject to ORS 783.620-640 are assessed a ballast management fee per transit to state waters. Effective January 2016 (Senate Bill 261), the fee is $88 per vessel arrival. Revenue generated from the fee provides support for DEQ ballast water program efforts, including report monitoring, compliance verification and technical support services. Fee collection and disbursement to DEQ is currently handled via contract with Portland Merchants Exchange.
Oregon ballast water management regulations
- Fact sheet: Oregon Ballast Water Management
- Frequently asked questions
- Oregon Administrative Rules for ballast water management - OAR 340 Division 143
Program contacts
Rian Hooff, project manager: 503-229-6865 [email protected]: or
David Mastros, inspector: 503-229-6712 [email protected]
*Information sourced from Oregon DEQ website - March 2018.
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE (WDFW)
All covered vessels are required to file a ballast water reporting form (BWRF) (see links on the right sidebar) under WAC 220-150-030 at least 24 hours prior to arrival in state waters, between Oregon and Washington ports on the Columbia River, and before transiting between Washington State ports. This is the same form required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the same completed BWRF can be sent to both the USCG and Washington State at the same time. Submission of an IMO-approved BWRF is acceptable. Please refer to WAC 220-150-030(4) on specific instructions for vessels intending to file a Safety Exemption claim. File BWRFs directly with Washington State by:
Vessels that do not, under normal operating conditions, discharge ballast water may request a BWRF waiver from the department.
Ballast Water Management Requirements
Discharge of ballast water into waters of the state is authorized only if an open sea exchange has been performed under WAC 220-150-040, or if the vessel has otherwise managed its ballast water to meet standards set by the department consistent with applicable state and federal laws. Management options include:
Vessel Inspections
WDFW may board and inspect vessels under WAC 220-150-033 without advance notice to provide technical assistance, assess compliance, and enforce the requirements of Washington State ballast water management program laws and regulations. Department inspectors may take samples from a vessel's ballast tanks which are used to help evaluate the risk that vessel poses for introducing non-indigenous species into waters of the state.
Ballast Tank Sediment Management
Vessels may not remove or discharge sediment or tank fouling organisms into waters of the state under WAC 220-150-070 from spaces carrying ballast water unless that sediment or those organisms are discharged solely in the location from which they originated.
Enforcement
WDFW can issue a Warning, Notice of Correction, or Notice of Penalty of up to $27,500 for each day of a continuing violation under WAC 220-150-080. In general, Warnings and Notices of Correction are issued to first-time non-discharge violations.
Biofouling/Hull Fouling Management
WDFW, in coordination with the Washington Department of Ecology, regulates in-water hull cleaning to prevent the introduction of non-indigenous species or release of associated water quality pollutants. Vessel operators must receive approval to conduct in-water hull cleaning, which includes any area of the vessel below and around its waterline such as sea chests and propeller. Learn more about hull cleaning in Washington State waters. In general:
Forms & Regulations
Ballast Water Reporting Form: MS Word Version | PDF Version
• BWRF Waiver Request Form
• Ballast Water Boarding Checklist Form
• Vessel Plankton Sample Form
• Ballast Water Program Brochure
• Washington State "Common Waters" definition, map and description
• RCW 77.120: Ballast Water Management Statute
• WAC 220-150 Ballast Water Management Rules
*Information sourced from Washington WDFW website - March 2018.
All covered vessels are required to file a ballast water reporting form (BWRF) (see links on the right sidebar) under WAC 220-150-030 at least 24 hours prior to arrival in state waters, between Oregon and Washington ports on the Columbia River, and before transiting between Washington State ports. This is the same form required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the same completed BWRF can be sent to both the USCG and Washington State at the same time. Submission of an IMO-approved BWRF is acceptable. Please refer to WAC 220-150-030(4) on specific instructions for vessels intending to file a Safety Exemption claim. File BWRFs directly with Washington State by:
- Email to: [email protected] (preferred)
- FAX to: 360-902-2845
Vessels that do not, under normal operating conditions, discharge ballast water may request a BWRF waiver from the department.
Ballast Water Management Requirements
Discharge of ballast water into waters of the state is authorized only if an open sea exchange has been performed under WAC 220-150-040, or if the vessel has otherwise managed its ballast water to meet standards set by the department consistent with applicable state and federal laws. Management options include:
- Not discharge ballast water into Washington State waters.
- Vessels voyaging to Washington State from a Pacific Coast port in Alaska, Canada, Oregon, California, or Central America must conduct an open sea exchange at least 50 nautical miles from any shore and in waters more than 200 meters deep unless using a USCG accepted or approved ballast water treatment system.
- Vessels voyaging to Washington State from a port outside the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), must conduct an open sea exchange at least 200 nautical miles from any shore and in waters more than 2,000 meters deep unless using a USCG accepted or approved ballast water treatment system.
- Vessels voyaging to Washington State from a port within the state's common water zone are exempt from having to conduct an open sea exchange if the ballast water and sediment originated solely from a valid exchange prior to entering the common water zone or from uptake within the common water zone.
- Use of only water from a U.S. public water system as defined in USCG 33 CFR 151.2025(2).
Vessel Inspections
WDFW may board and inspect vessels under WAC 220-150-033 without advance notice to provide technical assistance, assess compliance, and enforce the requirements of Washington State ballast water management program laws and regulations. Department inspectors may take samples from a vessel's ballast tanks which are used to help evaluate the risk that vessel poses for introducing non-indigenous species into waters of the state.
Ballast Tank Sediment Management
Vessels may not remove or discharge sediment or tank fouling organisms into waters of the state under WAC 220-150-070 from spaces carrying ballast water unless that sediment or those organisms are discharged solely in the location from which they originated.
Enforcement
WDFW can issue a Warning, Notice of Correction, or Notice of Penalty of up to $27,500 for each day of a continuing violation under WAC 220-150-080. In general, Warnings and Notices of Correction are issued to first-time non-discharge violations.
Biofouling/Hull Fouling Management
WDFW, in coordination with the Washington Department of Ecology, regulates in-water hull cleaning to prevent the introduction of non-indigenous species or release of associated water quality pollutants. Vessel operators must receive approval to conduct in-water hull cleaning, which includes any area of the vessel below and around its waterline such as sea chests and propeller. Learn more about hull cleaning in Washington State waters. In general:
- Ecology approval - contact Randall Marshall ([email protected], or 360-407-6445) at least 7 days prior to in-water hull cleaning with information on the hull coating, its contents, cleaning method, and date/time.
- WDFW approval - contact Allen Pleus ([email protected], or 360-902-2724) at least 7 days prior to in-water hull cleaning with suitable documentation identifying the type of species fouling the areas to be cleaned. Approval is contingent on proof that fouling organisms are only slime and sea grass growth (microfouling organisms). The department will not approve in-water cleaning for hulls fouled with juvenile or adult aquatic species such as barnacles, mussels, and tube worms (macrofouling organisms).
Forms & Regulations
Ballast Water Reporting Form: MS Word Version | PDF Version
• BWRF Waiver Request Form
• Ballast Water Boarding Checklist Form
• Vessel Plankton Sample Form
• Ballast Water Program Brochure
• Washington State "Common Waters" definition, map and description
• RCW 77.120: Ballast Water Management Statute
• WAC 220-150 Ballast Water Management Rules
*Information sourced from Washington WDFW website - March 2018.