Durbin Meets With New Commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District

Press Release

Durbin Meets With New Commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today met with Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Quarles, the new Commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District to discuss the ongoing Asian Carp Barrier project. The Deputy for Project Management in Chicago, Roy Deda, also attended today's meeting.

"Invasive species are one of the greatest threats facing the Lake Michigan," said Durbin. "To protect this national treasure, the Corps of Engineers created a barrier to keep out the most damaging species, Asian Carp. I look forward to working with Lieutenant Colonel Quarles as the Corps continues to upgrade the barrier and demonstrate its effectiveness in protecting the Great Lakes from Asian Carp and other invasive species."

Last year, Durbin secured $9.25 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue operation and construction on the Asian Carp Barrier project which will prevent the spread of invasive species, including Asian Carp, between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The funds were included in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

Asian Carp threaten the Great Lakes ecosystem because they consume large quantities of phytoplankton, which is critical to the stability of the ecosystem. Originally, they were introduced to the United States as a management tool for aqua culture farms and sewage treatment facilities. The carp have made their way north to the Illinois River after escaping from fish farms during massive flooding along the Mississippi River. Asian Carp can grow to an average of four feet and 60 pounds, and can consume up to 40 percent of their body weight in plankton per day.

Source