HB3829 - Great Lakes Preservation and Protection Act

• Creates the Great Lakes Preservation and Protection Act to address ballast water regulation and aquatic invasive species protection in the Great Lakes.

• Requires the Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois International Port District to jointly submit annual reports to the General Assembly by December 1 each year assessing ballast water quality standards, federally approved treatment technologies, federal legislation status, and violations of federal ballast regulations by ships visiting Illinois ports.

• Directs the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources to provide technical assistance to the Great Ships Initiative to accelerate development and approval of ballast-treatment technology to protect state waters from aquatic invasive species.

• Mandates the Department of Natural Resources to sample and monitor Illinois waters of Lake Michigan for new aquatic nuisance species and report findings annually to the General Assembly.

• Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.