Asian Carp

Asian carp are voracious eaters that can weigh over 100 pounds, eat up to 40% of their body weight, and have been known to jump out of the water into recreational boats, sometimes causing bodily harm. These carp were originally brought to U.S. waters in the 1970’s by southern fish farmers as a way to cleanse breeding ponds. The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal traverses the 13^th District and forms a unique, man-made link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. While it’s a critical avenue for commerce, it also provides a route for the Asian carp to reach Lake Michigan. That’s why for over a decade, I have worked with my colleagues in the delegation to keep the carp out of Chicago’s waterways and protect the jobs and commerce that depend on them.

We’ve passed legislation and secured funding for an electronic barrier system and other scientific solutions, including electro-fishing, e-DNA testing, and the application of fish toxin. It has been an all-hands-on-deck-approach to contain the fish, with participation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Fish and Wildlife Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, private stakeholders and others. Most recently, the President signed into law my proposal to add Asian carp to the list of injurious species banned from importation into the United States.

Unfortunately, some lawmakers have decided that the way to fix the problem is to force the closure of Chicago’s navigational waterways entirely -- to man, commerce, and fish. According to our environmental managers, these lock and dam closures would do little to stop the migration of carp, but would devastate the Illinois economy and create massive flooding problems in communities throughout the Chicago area. That is why I continue to fight – along with members on both s ides of the aisle – to defeat attempts to close our locks and dams.

The best way to protect the Great Lakes is not by killing jobs; it’s by advancing scientifically sound solutions that preserve our ecosystem and our economy.

Press Releases

Biggert and Kirk Applaud High Court Decision on Asian Carp

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-13th-IL) and a spokesperson for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today issued the following statements after the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would not consider a lawsuit filed by the State o
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Biggert Reacts to New Asian Carp Battle Plan

Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-13th-IL) issued the following remarks after the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee released its 2012 Asian Carp Strategy Control Framework, a multi-agency plan outlining 58 new and continuing a
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Biggert: Reversing Illinois Waterways Not Called For

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) to...
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Biggert Hosts New Army Corps Commander to Discuss Asian Carp

Lemont, IL– U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R...
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Biggert's Asian Carp Ban Takes Effect

Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-13th-IL) today applauded the addition of Bighead Asian carp to a list of species banned from the U.S. The fish, which can rapidly displace native species, are currently threatening the Great Lakes ecosystem. A new law sponsored by Biggert prohibits the importation or transportation of live carp, including viable eggs, across state lines. The ban goes into effect Tuesday when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to publish its final rule in the Federal Register. . .
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Judy's Speeches and Statements

Reaction of U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert to EPA Asian Carp Announcement

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th), a long-time sponsor of legislative initiatives to protect the Great Lakes from the invasive Asian Carp, today made the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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