Senators Stabenow, Peters Call for Immediate Action to Stop Spread of Asian Carp
Statement
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today urged the Obama Administration to take action to stop Asian Carp and other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes basin. In a letter to Shaun Donovan, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Senators Stabenow and Peters called for funding to develop and implement measures that directly prevent Asian Carp from entering Michigan's waterways. Last week, the Fish and Wildlife Service found that small Asian Carp may be able to pass through the electric barrier that is designed to prevent invasive species from entering Lake Michigan. It was also discovered that young silver carp have moved 52-miles closer to Lake Michigan in just one year. Senator Stabenow is the Co-chair of and Senator Peters is a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force.
The letter reads in part: "...There is no question that challenges exist to developing and implementing measures that prevent the transfer of AIS [aquatic invasive species] at Brandon Road. However, two recent findings illustrate the urgency of the situation and need to advance emergency and interim measures while the USACE completes the Brandon Road feasibility study. A Fish and Wildlife Service study released October 15 found that small fish - including Asian Carp - can become entrained between barges and transported through a lock and dam and across the existing electric dispersal barriers. In addition, a study last month discovered juvenile silver carp 52-miles closer to Lake Michigan than in 2014."
Earlier this year, Senators Stabenow and Peters introduced the Defending Our Great Lakes Act, which focuses on the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a crucial chokepoint in the Chicago waterway system about 25 miles south of the city. The bill requires the Army Corps to equip the lock and dam with technologies and countermeasures that would stop the spread of Asian Carp. It also requires the Army Corps to use the Brandon Road complex as a testing site for other technologies that can be incorporated at other locations to stop Asian carp.
Source