New Fed Rule Allows Freighters To Dump Cargo Remnants Into Great Lakes

"Environmental groups came up short in their fight to prevent freighters from sweeping or washing limestone, iron ore, coal and other non-toxic remnants of their dry cargo into the Great Lakes.

A federal rule that went into effect earlier this year allows what has been a long-time practice in Great Lakes commerce: shipping vessels, under certain conditions, washing down residues in their cargo holds left behind after their deliveries.

Environmental groups call it legalized pollution. 'These lakes have been treated like a garbage dump for three quarters of a century,' Buffalo Niagara RiverKeeper wrote to federal officials during a public comment period. 'Now it is time to start protecting the environment.'"

T.J. Pignataro reports for the Buffalo News September 30, 2014.