(a) Department of Defense vessels

Subject to operational conditions, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary, the Task Force, and the International Maritime Organization, shall implement a ballast water management program for seagoing vessels of the Department of Defense to minimize the risk of introduction of nonindigenous species from releases of ballast water.

(b) Coast Guard vessels

Terms Used In 16 USC 4713

  • ballast water: means any water and associated sediments used to manipulate the trim and stability of a vessel. See 16 USC 4702
  • nonindigenous species: means any species or other viable biological material that enters an ecosystem beyond its historic range, including any such organism transferred from one country into another. See 16 USC 4702
  • Secretary: means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. See 16 USC 4702
  • Task Force: means the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force established under section 4721 of this title. See 16 USC 4702

Subject to operational conditions, the Secretary, in consultation with the Task Force and the International Maritime Organization, shall implement a ballast water management program for seagoing vessels of the Coast Guard to minimize the risk of introduction of nonindigenous species from releases of ballast water.

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