U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) is working to ensure prevention and mitigation of the threats posed by invasive Asian carp on Lake Erie’s ecological health and economy.
“The reality is that any threat to Lake Erie is also a threat to the drinking water supply for 11 million people, our tourism industry, and all the plants and animals that are a part of the lake’s ecosystem,” Rep. Joyce said during a Sept. 4 roundtable discussion in Perry, Ohio, that included representatives from Ohio’s environmental, natural resources and angling sectors.
According to the National Park Service (NPS), Asian carp cause serious damage to the native fish populations in the lakes and rivers that they infest because they out-compete other fish for food and space. They also decrease water quality, which can kill off sensitive organisms, NPS says.
“As a life-long resident of Northeast Ohio, swimming and fishing in Lake Erie as a kid are still some of my favorite memories,” said Rep. Joyce. “But there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure that both current and future generations have that same opportunity, especially when it comes to invasive species like Asian carp.”
Among the roundtable participants joining Rep. Joyce were officials from the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the Ohio Environmental Council, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association.
“The input provided by experts and stakeholders from across Northeast Ohio during today’s roundtable will help me continue to lead the fight in Washington to protect and preserve Lake Erie and the national treasure that is the Great Lakes System,” said the congressman.
Rep. Joyce also advocated for the bipartisan, bicameral Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2019, H.R. 4031, which would reauthorize the GLRI for another five years and increase federal funding from $300 million annually to $475 million annually by fiscal year 2026.
Rep. Joyce sponsored H.R. 4031, which currently has 41 cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). The same-named S. 2295 was introduced by U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and has 11 other cosponsors. Both are under committee consideration in their respective houses of Congress.