The successful delivery of a ballast water treatment agent in a 1,000-foot laker, as detailed in John Myers' excellent article Tuesday ("Invasive species ballast battle gets bigger"), was really big news.
And it was noteworthy for a number of reasons.
First, Phyllis Green, superintendent of Isle Royale National Park, demonstrated exemplary public service that cannot be over-recognized. This is an issue Congress did not deal with. It instead accepted the contentions of the lake shipping lobbying interests that these ships were too complex to allow a delivery system. Not accepting that and not waiting for a government solution, Green went to American Steamship Co. with a naval architect two springs ago. The demo that resulted was encouraging. Now she's working in partnership not only with American Steamship Co., but also with James Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers' Association
Big, big strides have been made, delivery accomplished and the return of ballast to the lakes neutralized; now we wait to see if follow-up analysis says the process got the "bad stuff." In a world of gridlock, this has been refreshing!
Green has a unique background that includes science, marketing, research, service in both the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service and, mostly, her own grit and imagination in trying to bring volunteer conservationists together and give them vision of what kind of partnering is needed. She has the support of her superiors at the National Park Service. Now she has shipping interests on board, too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Two years ago she was scorned by some as not knowing what she was doing -- scoffed, in fact, by some.
The National Park Service deserves praise for giving Green "the rope." But more, praise the Lord for this remarkable woman. To those who scorn our government and occasionally hold "public servants" in open contempt, this is a great "the other side of the story." This, to me, is a story about how proud we can be of our country when we work together.
I well realize the story is not over, but in the middle of reports of Asian carp spreading upstream and other threats, this dose of encouragement, this glimmer of what a can-do, self-starter attitude can accomplish, is the proverbial breath of fresh air. It's a case study of hope!
David Zentner of Duluth is past national president and national director of the Izaak Walton League of America.
