June 30, 2010
June 30, 2010
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today urged the White House Council on Environmental Quality to coordinate all available federal resources to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes following the discovery of a live carp beyond an electrical barrier last week and recent reports that Asian carp are spawning in the Wabash River in Indiana.
"We must do everything we can to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes," Granholm said. "This includes urgent action to create a permanent barrier separating the Mississippi River and Great Lakes watersheds. In the meantime, we must use every available tool at our disposal to protect the Great Lakes, including closing the locks, expanding eDNA testing and applying additional rotenone as necessary."
Granholm has previously called for the immediate closure of the locks between the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal electrical barrier and Lake Michigan until a barrier is constructed.
Granholm commended Michigan congressional delegation members for introducing and supporting legislation to stop the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.
"I commend Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Dave Camp for introducing legislation to expedite a permanent barrier and applaud other Michigan delegation members who support it," Granholm said. "I urge the White House and Congress to work together to advance this legislation as quickly as possible."
The Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act 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.
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