‘An Important First Step in Addressing an Imminent Threat to Lakes’
Ann Arbor, Mich. (June 16) – Congress funded the operation of an electric barrier yesterday intended to keep the non-native Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes and causing havoc for boaters and anglers.
“Congress took an important first step in addressing an imminent threat to our Great Lakes,” said Tom Kiernan, co-chair of the Healing Our Waters–Great Lakes Coalition and president of the National Parks Conservation Association. “Our coalition thanks the leadership of Sen. Voinovich and Sen. Obama for offering their amendment, which is an effective stop-gap until Congress takes additional action to preserve and protect our Great Lakes for present and future generations.”
Congress accepted an amendment offered by Senators George Voinovich (R-OH) and Barack Obama (D-IL) that funded the barrier as part of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill.
“Thanks to yesterday’s action, the door will remain shut — for now — to giant fish invading the Great Lakes,” said Andy Buchsbaum, co-chair of the Healing Our Waters– Great Lakes Coalition and director of the Great Lakes office of the National Wildlife Federation. “The funding of the electric barrier is one of many common-sense steps that Congress can take to restore and protect the lakes for our children and our families.” The electric barrier serves as the last line of defense against the Asian carp, a nonnative species which is migrating up the Mississippi River and threatening to enter Lake Michigan through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The electric barrier on the canal is designed to repel the carp back from entering Lake Michigan. Fisheries biologists believe that if the Asian carp enter the Great Lakes they will out-compete native fish for food and habitat, disrupt the ecosystem, and crash the region’s $4.5 billion fishery.
The large fish also pose a risk to boaters. Asian carp launch themselves out of the water when startled by the sound of boat engines. Boaters have been injured by airborne carp, which can weigh upwards of 60 pounds.
“Keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes is one of our top priorities,” said Jennifer Nalbone, campaign director for Great Lakes United. “Unfortunately, every year we have to fight to fund the barrier. It’s time to permanently fund the barrier so that we don’t have to play this annual game of Russian roulette with the health of the Great Lakes.”
More than 180 aquatic invasive species have been discovered in the Great Lakes. Every 28 weeks, on average, one new non-native species enters the Great Lakes. “Without funding to run the electric system, the Great Lakes could become a giant carp farm,” said Joel Brammeier, associate director of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “But one year of funding won’t close the revolving door between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. The next step is to find a permanent solution that keeps that door closed once and for all.”
For more information, visit: www.restorethelakes.org
Contact:
Jordan Lubetkin, National Wildlife Federation–(734) 769-3351, x 23; lubetkin@nwf.org
Andrea Keller, National Parks Conservation Association–(202) 454-3332; akeller@npca.org
Nora Ferrell, Valerie Denney Communications–(312) 408-2580, x 24; nora@vdcom.com
Jennifer Nalbone, Great Lakes United–(716) 983-3831, jen@glu.org
Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes–(312)-939-0838 x 224; JBrammeier@greatlakes.org
Related posts:
- Asian Carp Barrier Act
- Congress Takes Steps To Obtain Funds To Fight Asian Carp
- ACTION ALERT: Urge Members To Co-Sponsor Asian Carp Barrier Legislation
- Coalition Supports Carp Barrier Authorization In Bill Passed by U.S. House of Representatives
- House Passes Asian Carp barrier Provisions