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Klobuchar, Coleman Announce Provisions to Protect Mississippi River from Asian Carp

Water Resources Development Act includes language that will restrict the movement of Asian carp

July 31, 2007

St. Paul, MN—Minnesota Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar today announced the final version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) will authorize $4 million in federal funding to help prevent the spread of Asian Carp and other aquatic nuisances from entering the Upper Mississippi River.  Specifically, the WRDA conference report authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to study and construct an Asian carp barrier at Lock and Dam 11, which is located just north of Dubuque, Iowa.  Additionally, the WRDA bill also includes upgrades for the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway Restoration (UMR-IWW), including for critical navigation improvements along the waterway along and $1.5 billion in ecosystem restoration.

“While Asian Carp make for a good laugh on You Tube, it is an invasive species that threatens the health of the Mississippi River – a centerpiece of Minnesota’s economic and environmental health,” said Klobuchar.  “As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I worked hard to ensure this funding made its way to Mississippi River.  It’s so important we take this proactive step to protect Minnesota’s waterways and our delicate eco-system.”

“Minnesota is home to beautiful and bountiful waterways, and the mighty Mississippi contributes enormously to our economy and quality of life,” Coleman said. “Along with providing long overdue upgrades to the Upper Mississippi’s ecosystem as a whole, it is critical that we take the necessary steps to prevent the northward movement of Asian Carp.  With the ability to eat up to half their body weight in a day, these fish can quickly devour a river’s food supply - resulting in a destructive effect on our fishing economy and threatening the fragile ecosystems of our lakes and rivers.  I’ve fought long and hard to address the problem of Asian Carp in our waters, and I’m pleased we were able to include this language in the WRDA conference report today.”

Asian Carp are a serious problem causing irreparable damage to America’s waterways.  Originally imported into the U.S. as a management tool for aquatic vegetation in ponds, these fish have spread quickly, particularly moving their way north via the Mississippi River.   In fact, there are currently sections of the Illinois River where every 9 out of 10 fish are now Asian Carp.  Due to Minnesota’s interconnected waterways and the size of these species of carp, officials believe that potential migration of the species into Minnesota’s lakes and rivers could dominate water systems and eliminate native species.

As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Klobuchar played an integral role in crafting the WRDA bill, ensuring inclusion of the Asian Carp barrier in the final bill.   Additionally, as a member of the Commerce Committee, Senator Klobuchar has taken an active role in legislation involving invasive species in Lake Superior and the Great Lakes.

Senator Coleman has worked to address the spread of Asian Carp throughout his time in the Senate.  In addition today’s authorization for a barrier, Coleman has introduced legislation to list the species of Asian Carp as injurious - thus barring them from interstate trade and transportation - along with a bill to construct an additional electric barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

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