LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 11, 2020) – Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation that restores $8 million Michigan had pledged for a project in Illinois to help stop invasive Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes and their connected waters. The funds will help cover the bulk of an estimated $10 million Illinois will need to contribute as the nonfederal partner of the preconstruction engineering and design phase of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. This project will rebuild the lock and dam near Joliet, Ill. to include an engineered channel fitted with multiple Asian carp deterrents including an electric barrier, water bubble fence, acoustic deterrents, and a flushing lock.
The Great Lakes Conservation Coalition – which includes the National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and other conservation organizations – issued the following statement in response:
“We thank Gov Whitmer for restoring this critical funding to help advance the Brandon Road project to stop Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes. Michigan’s outdoor recreation economy, its fisheries, and our way of life is dependent on keeping invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes and their connected rivers and inland lakes. This funding upholds Michigan’s commitment to the project and now it is time for Illinois to sign the preconstruction engineering and design agreement to start the project without any further delay.”
The Great Lakes Conservation Coalition issued a statement last week calling for Gov. Whitmer to sign the legislation after the Michigan legislature passed it.
###
