As Asian Carp descend upon the Great Lakes, I continue to fight to prevent this invasive species from entering and decimating the fish populations, economy, and natural wonder of the Lakes. We don’t have time to lose. We need a comprehensive action plan to stop Asian Carp now. On April 19, 2012, I introduced legislation in the House and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced legislation in the Senate to speed up the development of a better, permanent solution to stop Asian carp and other invasive species. The Stop Invasive Species Act requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to submit to Congress an expedited action plan for stopping Asian carp from penetrating the Great Lakes within 18 months.
Details of the Stop Invasive Species Act:
- Achieve Permanent Hydrological Separation: Requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create an action plan that includes the best options for permanently separating the Mississippi River Basin from Lake Michigan.
- Progress Report: Requires the Army Corp to submit a progress report to Congress and the President within 90 days of the law’s enactment. The full plan would need to be completed within 18 months.
- Ensures Great Lakes Shipping Routes: examine modes of transportation across key waterways to ensure shipping could continue while mechanisms for preventing Asian carp from destroying the Great Lakes are implemented.
Asian carp are a non-native species that originated in Asia and collectively include grass, black, silver, and bighead carp. These fish are extremely prolific, grow to a length of more than four feet, can weigh up to 100 pounds, and eat nearly half their body weight daily. They jump out of the water at the sound of boat engines, and can cause significant damage to boats and their passengers.
The Asian carp were imported from Asia to the Deep South to cleanse fish ponds and sewage lagoons, but escaped into the Mississippi River and have been working their way north since the 1970s.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Researchers expect that Asian carp would disrupt the food chain that supports the native fish of the Great Lakes. Due to their large size, ravenous appetites, and rapid rate of reproduction, these fish could pose a significant risk to the Great Lakes Ecosystem.”
Congressional Action Timeline:
This is not a new issue. I have been working with my colleagues over the past decade on this issue. During this time, I have continually supported legislation to combat aquatic invasive species and increase research and development programs that help to track and mitigate the spread of Asian Carp. In 2004, I helped to secure $9.1 million to construct the first permanent barrier, which was finally completed in 2009. I have also leant my support in giving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the authority and funding they need to tackle this project.
In December 2009, after reports that Asian Carp had been found near the barriers, I and my fellow Members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation secured $13.5 million to help the Corps fend off the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes.
The $13 million is a combination of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding and reprogrammed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) funds. The money will be used by the Corps and other agencies to keep the carp out of the Great Lakes.
This action comes after I led Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation in writing a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Committees on Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure asking for emergency funding.
The Members also met with officials from Corps, EPA and the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Coast Guard on Capitol Hill in late December asking for their support on the emergency request.
For more information on the threat to the Great Lakes, please watch this video: