In accordance with California Public Resources Code and California Code of Regulations, any vessel that arrives at a California port must have a ballast water using an alternative, environmentally sound method of management that has been approved by the California State Lands Commission or the US Coast Guard, as being at least as effective as ballast water exchange, using mid-ocean waters, in removing or killing non indigenous aquatic species.
Because any USCG Type Approved BWMS must be at least as effective as mid-ocean ballast water exchange (per National Invasive Species Act of 1996), use of any of the Type Approved BWMS for the management of ballast water prior to discharge within California waters shall qualify as being in accordance with Public Resources Code section 71204.3(c)(4) and C.C.R. title 2, section 2284, and therefore may be used in lieu of ballast water exchange.
Vessels using USCG Type Approved BWMS in California waters must indicate the specific alternative method/management system used on the Ballast Water Management Report. Vessels discharging ballast water treated with USCG Type Approved BWMS in California waters must also submit both the “Ballast Water Treatment Technology Annual Reporting Form” and the “Ballast Water Treatment Supplemental Reporting Forms” (Attachments B and C, respectively in the letter herebelow).
Further details may be found in the official document:
