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student at the University of Michigan, has been highly successful 

 and continues to be a key component to the Coast Guard program. 

 The education program is discussed in detail later in this 

 testimony. 



The Coast Guard realized that to conduct an educational program 

 effectively, and enforce regulations mandating ballast water 

 management, additional resources would be needed. These 

 resources were provided by Congress and in 1992 the Coast Guard 

 opened a Marine Safety Detachment at Massena, New York. Massena 

 was chosen as it is the first United States port on the St. 

 Lawrence Seaway. In 1992, this unit conducted boardings to check 

 for compliance with the voluntary guidelines and to educate 

 mariners on the aquatic nuisance problem. 



On May 10, 1993, the Federal regulations mandated by the Act 

 replaced the voluntary guidelines. These regulations require 

 ballast water management for ships bound for a United States port 

 on the Great Lakes that have operated outside of the EEZ. Since 

 Massena, New York is considered a United States port, all vessels 

 are subject to the regulations when they reach this point on the 

 Seaway. Additionally, the voluntary guidelines are still in 

 effect for those vessels going to Canadian ports before they 

 reach Massena, and Canada continues to actively encourage 

 compliance and is working closely with the United States to 

 implement a unified prevention strategy. 



