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MISP - Laws and Regulations

Regulatory Information Sheets
These documents have been developed to help members of the shipping industry understand California’s requirements for preventing the introduction of nonindigenous species via the commercial shipping vector.

• Ballast Water Management PDF
• Ballast Water Reporting Form Submission and Recordkeeping PDF
• Fouling Removal and Hull Husbandry Reporting PDF
• Performance Standards for Ballast Water Discharge PDF

Proposed Regulations

• Proposed Amendments to Article 4.7, Performance Standards for the Discharge of Ballast Water For Vessels Operating In California Waters (Updated February 4, 2010)
  The Commission proposes regulations adding Section 2297.1 to Title 2, Division 3, Chapter 1, Article 4.7, Performance Standards for the Discharge of Ballast Water for Vessels Operating in California Waters. The proposed amendments would require the submission of information, on forms developed by the Commission, regarding the installation and use of ballast water treatment systems on vessels operating in California waters. Comments on the proposed amendments must be submitted to the Commission by 5:00 pm on March 22, 2010.
  • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking PDF Word
  • Initial Statement of Reasons PDF Word
  • Proposed Amendments to Article 4.7 PDF Word
  • Proposed Ballast Water Treatment Technology Annual Reporting Form PDF Word
  • Proposed Ballast Water Treatment Supplemental Reporting Form PDF Word

Regulations (California Code of Regulations Title 2, Division 3, Chapter 1)

• Article 4.5. Marine Invasive Species Control Fund Fee (Updated October 1, 2009) PDF Word
  • Letter to Shipping Industry PDF Word
• Article 4.6. Ballast Water Regulations for Vessels Operating Within the Pacific Coast Region PDF Word
  • Letter to Agents PDF Word
• Article 4.7 Performance Standards for the Discharge of Ballast Water For Vessels Operating in California Waters (Updated December 22, 2009)
  • Clarifying Letter for the Shipping Industry (December 22, 2009) PDF Word
  • Letter to Shipping Industry (October 18, 2009) PDF Word
  • (Attachment A) Regulatory Text of Amended Article 4.7 (Title 2, Division 3, Chapter 1, Article 4.7) PDF Word
• Article 4.8. The Collection of Information Relating to the Hull Husbandry Practices of Vessels for Control of Marine Invasive Species in Waters of California (Updated December 2008) PDF Word
  • 2010 Letter to Shipping Agents/Interested Parties (Updated December 31, 2009) PDF Word
  • Hull Husbandry Reporting Form and Instructions PDF Word

Legislation

• Amendments to the Marine Invasive Species Act (2009) (Assembly Bill 248) PDF Word
  (Updated October 29, 2009)
  Expands the MISP to include the collection of data related to ballast water treatment technology installation and use on vessels operating in California waters. The bill also requires that such vessels maintain certain records related to installed ballast water treatment technologies.
• Amendments to the Marine Invasive Species Act (2008) (SB 1781) PDF Word
  Alters the implementation date for ballast water performance standards for newly built vessels with ballast water capacity under 5000 metric tons.
• Amendments to the Marine Invasive Species Act (2007) (AB 740) PDF Word
  Expands the MISP to include management and data collection on “hull fouling”, or organism growth on submerged areas of commercial vessels.

• Coastal Ecosystems Protection Act of 2006 (SB 497) PDF Word
  Includes authority for the Commission to implement performance standards for the discharge of ballast water and grandfathering of experimental ballast water treatment systems.
• Marine Invasive Species Act of 2003 (AB 433) PDF Word
  Revises, expands, extends, and renames the 1999 Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species Act.
  • Key Components of the Act (Updated March 13, 2009) PDF Word

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