The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Notice of Intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) evaluating the potential acceptance of one or more viability testing methods for use in type approval of ballast water management systems (BWMS), as directed by the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018. The action would affect all navigable waters of the United States where ballast water discharge is allowed. Two alternatives are analyzed: the Proposed Action (accept one or more viability testing methods) and No Action (continue the live/dead standard). Primary environmental concerns center on whether accepted testing methods could alter concentrations of living aquatic nuisance species discharged into U.S. waters. A 45-day scoping period closes October 7, 2024; the draft PEIS is expected in 2024 and the final PEIS in 2026.1