States sue over water dumping

Nine states sued the Bush administration over federal rules on water dumped from ships, contending a loophole could hurt fisheries and contaminate drinking water.

In their lawsuit filed in Albany, N.Y., the states contend that an administrative ruling could allow the transfer of polluted or contaminated water by ship from one body of water to another where it would do harm. For example, they say saltwater from the ocean could be dumped in the Great Lakes, or invasive species could infest new waters.

Suing the EPA are New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Washington and the Canadian province of Manitoba.

At issue is regulation of water discharges from ballast and other sources on vessels large and small.