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1997 SESSION
977769376WHEREAS, tributyl tin (TBT) is a component of certain antifoulant compounds, coatings, paints and treatments used on boat and ship hulls to control the growth of freshwater and marine organisms; and
WHEREAS, scientific evidence has shown that tributyl tin impairs reproduction and causes mortality in numerous non-target species of aquatic life, including oysters and crabs, found in Virginia's waters; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia General Assembly has placed bans on the use in Virginia of certain quantities of TBT that may be harmful to aquatic life in Virginia's waters; and
WHEREAS, even though Virginia has taken such steps, most other states have not, thus placing Virginia's shipping industry at a competitive disadvantage and causing TBT from boat and ship hulls from other states to be deposited in Virginia's waters causing harm to Virginia's aquatic life; and
WHEREAS, even though federal law empowers the United States Environmental Protection Agency to establish national water quality criteria and standards for TBT, it has failed to do so; and
WHEREAS, the lack of national TBT criteria and standards is causing harm to Virginia's shipping industry, to Virginia's aquatic living resources, and to the aquatic living resources of other states; and
WHEREAS, only an act of Congress or a ruling of a court of law will compel the United States Environmental Protection Agency to take action to establish national TBT criteria and standards; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Congress of the United States be urged to take swift and appropriate action to compel the United States Environmental Protection Agency to establish national water quality criteria and standards for TBT; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation in order that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly in this matter.