Walberg Supports Legislation to Authorize Funding for Asian Carp Barriers
Press Release
WALBERG SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING FOR ASIAN CARP BARRIERS
U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) today announced he has co-sponsored H.R. 553, the Great Lakes Asian Carp Barrier Act, legislation that would authorize funding for Asian carp barriers in the Great Lakes region. This legislation would specifically authorize funding, construction and maintenance of a double barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to stop the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. Asian carp consume large quantities of phytoplankton and compete with native fish for habitat throughout the Great Lakes region.
Walberg is also a co-sponsor of The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2007, a comprehensive bill that would help stop sewage contamination, prevent invasive species introductions and restore wetlands in the Great Lakes.
"I am proud to be part of a broad, bi-partisan coalition that is working to implement a strategy for the restoration, protection and sustainable use of the Great Lakes," Walberg said. "Our Great Lakes would suffer irreparable harm if the Asian carp enters Lake Michigan, and with other aquatic invasive species already wreaking havoc on our waters, the threat posed by Asian carp is not one Michiganders can afford to overlook. We must act now and construct these barriers to protect native fish and wildlife from these large, non-native predatory fish."
With Congressman Walberg's strong support, authorization language was inserted into H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act, providing for construction and maintenance of the Asian carp barriers on the Illinois River. This bill passed the House of Representatives and is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate. Congressman Walberg is working to get this important legislation passed to prevent another invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. A single experimental barrier was activated in 2002 and a double electronic barrier would work to protect the Great Lakes from an invasion.
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