Lieutenant Governor Cherry Urges Swift Action Toward Potential Great Lakes Invasive Species

November 13, 2009

Reiterates Cherry's belief that Great Lakes are critical to Michigan's economy

LANSING -Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. today called on the Assistant Secretary of the Army to take additional actions to prevent Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes.  Recent reports from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicate that Asian Carp may be much closer than previously expected to the current electrical Barrier 2A, which was designed to keep the carp from entering the Great Lakes through the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal (CSSC).  Additionally, because work on the planned second part of the existing barrier (2B) isn't complete, an emergency response plan was announced to ensure that carp are contained when Barrier 2A is deactivated for planned maintenance in December.

"Michigan has supported plans to protect the Great Lakes during a period when the existing barrier may be deactivated for maintenance, however, these emergency response efforts fall short of the long term solution needed," Cherry said.  "We know the damage Asian Carp would cause if they reached the Great Lakes, and we must take every available action to prevent that from happening."

Lt. Governor Cherry called for the following actions:

• completion of work on Barrier 2B;  
• full power operation of Barrier 2A (currently operating at half power);  
• installation of a physical barrier to prevent carp, detected in the nearby Des Plaines River, from entering the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal during periods of flooding;  and 
• making the CSSC a priority as the Corps of Engineers studies a range of options and technologies to prevent the transfer of aquatic invasive species.   

Cherry, past chair of the Great Lakes Commission, in a message to the Michigan Congressional delegation accompanying his letter to Secretary Darcy, noted the bipartisan support of the delegation and pledged to work with them to protect the Great Lakes and the recreational and commercial fisheries that are a critical part of our economy.             

In 2004, Michigan and other Great Lakes states each contributed $67,000 for the barrier project.

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