"Environmental groups came up short in their fight to prevent freighters from sweeping or washing limestone, iron ore, coal and other non-toxic remnants of their dry cargo into the Great Lakes.

A federal rule that went into effect earlier this year allows what has been a long-time practice in Great Lakes commerce: shipping vessels, under certain conditions, washing down residues in their cargo holds left behind after their deliveries.

Environmental groups call it legalized pollution. 'These lakes have been treated like a garbage dump for three quarters of a century,' Buffalo Niagara RiverKeeper wrote to federal officials during a public comment period. 'Now it is time to start protecting the environment.'"

T.J. Pignataro reports for the Buffalo News September 30, 2014. [2]