It is time the federal government enacts equal protection for all Americans, by treating ballast dumping as the threat to our national security that it is. Otherwise, we face the risk that terrorist and foreign sea captains, who do not like our country, will dump what they want into our waters, including viruses, chemicals, drugs and invasive species. Unless our military is involved in surveillance and inspection, laws will not be effective. Having worked in industrial situations, I believe that paperwork that says requires people follow a certain procedure is a joke, unless there is verification. The idea that all international sea captains are reputable people is a mentality from the 1800’s. We have no way of knowing if our waters are not already being contaminated systematically. What is the real origin of red tides, sickening oysters, invasive species, oil and sludge spills and other mysterious algae blooms? Unfortunately the leadership of the Coast Guard seems to think that this problem should not be addressed as part of their mission, because for years their resources have been stretched thin on many other vital missions. Virus purposely dumped may not be detected until temperatures change, leaving those who did the dumping undetected. Imagine Iranian speedboats, which have reportedly put boxes in the water near our navy ships, polluting the water while unsuspecting merchant or oil tankers are taking on ballast water. I believe this would create economic chaos in the world. Ships dumping in ocean currents out in international waters could also infect or hurt islands and coastlines. Simple gelatin in a ballast system could be used to grow all sorts of things, and possibly could be mixed with latex and nuclear wastewater to keep it from dissipating. Could fungus and virus be transferred to agriculture through irrigation? I cannot help but wonder if even a small vessel traveling in the Great Lakes feeding existing algae blooms with a gelatin solution might be problematic? Unfortunately since 2001 our country still has not learned that we need to change the way we do business in the world. As I believe Senator Boxer has proposed in California legislation, the cost for this protection should be charged to those wishing to use these systems in all American waters. Sincerely, Don Mitchel