Durbin Announces Senate Committee Approval of More than $19 Million to Fight Invasive Species

Press Release

Durbin Announces Senate Committee Approval of More than $19 Million to Fight Invasive Species

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, approved $19.3 million in funding for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to address the continued problem of invasive species in the Great Lakes. The funding, included in the Senate Foreign Operations spending bill, represents a $2.6 million increase over FY08 and $6.2 million over the President's funding request.

"One of the most serious threats facing the Great Lakes is invasive species," said Durbin. "The Great Lakes are not only an essential resource for the region, but they are also one of our greatest national treasures. Lake Michigan is an economic engine for the city of Chicago which is why the work that is done to manage invasive species by organizations like the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is so important."

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was established by the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between Canada and the United States in 1955. The Commission is tasked with developing coordinated programs of research on the Great Lakes and recommending measures which will permit the maximum sustained productivity of stocks of fish. The Commission is also responsible for formulating and implementing a program to eradicate or minimize sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes.

Source