Kildee Helps Introduce Legislation to Permanently Prevent Asian Carp from Invading the Great Lakes

 Contact: Erin Donar
(202) 225-3611

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) joined other members of the Michigan delegation to introduce H.R. 5625, the Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act. This legislation will require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct and expedite a study detailing engineering options to determine the best way to permanently separate the Mississippi River Basin from Lake Michigan to stop the spread of Asian carp in the Great Lakes.

“Michigan’s economy has already been ravaged by unfair trade deals that have devoured our manufacturing industry. Now, Asian carp are poised to wreak havoc on our most precious natural resource, the Great Lakes. We must act quickly or risk the destruction of the Great Lakes ecosystem and the countless industries that rely upon its resources. Michigan cannot afford another blow to its economy - we must permanently separate Lake Michigan from the Mississippi River to stop the spread of Asian carp,” said Congressman Kildee.

The Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basin have no natural connections. In fact, these waterways were connected more than 100 years ago by engineers through a system of canals and existing waterways to reverse the flow of the Chicago River.
 
The Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act requires that a study must begin within 30 days of the bill’s enactment, and the Army Corps must send a progress report to Congress and the President within six months and again in 12 months. Eighteen months after the bill is enacted, the full study must be completed and given to Congress and the President. It will be monitored by the Council on Environmental Quality to ensure its thorough and timely completion.  The study will also address flooding threats, Chicago wastewater, water safety operations, and barge and recreational vessel traffic alternatives.