Emergency Response Program 

Oregon Ballast Water Management

Background

The discharge of ballast water, used to provide vessel stability, may introduce aquatic non-indigenous species into Oregon waterways, potentially resulting in ecological damage, economic costs and/or human health concerns. Since 2002, DEQ has been authorized by the Oregon Legislature to implement and enforce ballast water management regulations in an effort to reduce the risk of introducing new aquatic invasive species.

State regulations on ballast water management require that all regulated vessels submit ballast water management reports to DEQ at least 24 hours prior to entry into the state. Vessels intending to discharge ballast water into waters of the state must perform necessary management practices, as described in ORS 783.620-640, prior to discharge. All regulated vessels are subject to boarding, inspection and ballast water sampling verification by state inspectors. As described in 783.990-992, vessel operators/owners not in compliance with Oregon ballast water management regulations are subject to fines and/or civil penalties.

Oregon ballast water management reports

In addition to federal requirements for submission to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse, report forms must also be submitted at least 24 hours prior to arrival in the State of Oregon. Reports may be submitted as e-mail attachments (DOC, PDF, SFDF, XLS, TIF of JPG formats only) to marine.room@pdxmex.co or , or via fax (503-229-6954) using the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Form Control No. 1625-0069.

• Ballast water management reporting form (OMB Form Control No. 1625-0069) PDF

In the event a vessel’s actual ballast practices differ from those projected on the report, an amended report must be submitted prior to the vessel’s departure.

Oregon ballast water management regulations

• Fact sheet: Oregon Ballast Water Management PDF
• Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) governing ballast water regulations (ORS 783.620-992) can be accessed at: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/783.html
• Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) governing ballast water regulations can be accessed at: http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARs_300/OAR_340/340_143.html

Note: Anticipated rulemaking efforts in 2010 intend to update some OAR definitions that are currently not consistent with recent amendments to the ORS.

Other ballast water regulations

• USCG Ballast Water Management
  Federal regulations promulgated by the United States Coast Guard
• Vessel General Permit
  Federal Clean Water Act regulations promulgated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

For more information

Please contact Rian Hooff (Oregon Ballast Water Program Manager), 503-229-6865 (toll-free in Oregon: 1-800-452-4011 x6865). .

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