Congress must step in and prioritize protection of the Great Lakes against invasive Asian carp now that the Army Corps of Engineers has released a final plan to safeguard the ecosystem, said U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Paul Mitchell (R-MI).
“With the recent discovery of Asian carp DNA within miles of Lake Michigan, Congress must act quickly to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem,” said Rep. Huizenga, co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. “Thus far, this process has been a bipartisan effort. In order to continue this positive momentum, leaders on both sides of the aisle in Congress must make protecting the Great Lakes a priority.”
The Army Corps of Engineers on May 23 issued the final Chief’s Report on the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Will County, Ill., which it determined to be an established “pinch point” for stopping Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes region.
“The Chief’s Report is a significant step forward in the effort to preserve the ecosystem of the Great Lakes for future generations,” Rep. Huizenga said. “I have been stressing the importance of this project from the beginning. Time is of the essence and the Great Lakes cannot wait. I hope the finalized plan from the Army Corps hasn’t arrived too late with a cost too great for Congress to act.”
Rep. Mitchell also commended the Corps’ efforts to stop the spread of Asian carp, which it characterized in the report as an “aquatic nuisance species” that has spread into the tributaries of the Mississippi River and beyond.
“As all Michiganders know, if invasive species get into the Great Lakes it will have a catastrophic effect on our commerce and way of life,” said Rep. Mitchell, who added that “the threat is very real and action must be taken quickly to address the issue.”