The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released what the National Marine Manufacturers Association said is an important testing method that could benefit boaters and marinas faced with strict regulation of copper-based antifouling paint.
The EPA is seeking public comment on the new method — the saltwater biotic ligand model, which the NMMA said is of particular interest in California, where regulators have set strict limits on dissolved copper in Marina del Rey and other basins, leading to restrictions on the use of copper-based paint.
If approved, the NMMA said, the model would provide a cost-effective scientific tool to determine copper toxicity in site-specific locations, avoiding implementing mitigation measures where they are not needed.
The NMMA encouraged stakeholders to review the documents and file comments supporting final approval of the method.
The 60-day comment period ends September 27, 2016. More details and filing instructions can be found here.
This post originally appeared here.
