Obama, Voinovich Secure Funding to Help Protect Great Lakes from Invasive Species
Thursday, May 4, 2006
Printable FormatFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 4, 2006
Voinovich Contact: Garrette Silverman, (202) 224-7784
Obama Contact: Tommy Vietor, (202) 228-5511
Durbin Contact: Sandra Abrevaya, (202) 224-7115
Obama, Voinovich Secure Funding to Help Protect Great Lakes from Invasive Species
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and George Voinovich (R-OH) successfully included an amendment in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4939) to provide $400,000 to keep the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal demonstration barrier operating through the end of Fiscal Year 2006. The bill passed today by a vote of 78 to 20. The Senate version of the Supplemental Appropriations Bill will now go into a conference committee so that the differences between the bills can be resolved.
The demonstration barrier in the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal was authorized in 1996 under the National Invasive Species Act to prevent non-native species like the Asian carp from moving between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. Since this barrier was designed to be temporary and is close to the end of its expected service life, a second permanent barrier is being constructed. The Army Corps of Engineers indicated that they would shutdown the demonstration barrier this month without additional funding - putting the region's $4.1 billion sport and commercial fishing industry at great risk.
The funding provided by this amendment will keep the demonstration barrier in operation through FY2006, maintaining the protection of the Great Lakes and providing the Corps with the necessary time to ensure that the permanent barrier is fully tested and up and running. Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Dayton (D-MN), Carl Levin (D-MI), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) co-sponsored the amendment.
"This amendment builds on our work in 2004 to fund construction of the permanent barrier. I was shocked when I learned that Asian carp could have unfettered access to this national treasure - especially when so many are working tirelessly to restore it. I am pleased that we were able to join together and fix this serious oversight and will do all that I can to ensure it remains in the final version of the bill," said Senator Voinovich.
"We have one chance to keep invasive species like the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes before they destroy the lakes' ecosystems," said Senator Obama. "If we allow these barriers to be turned off, all of the time and money we have spent so far will have been wasted. I am glad that Senator Voinovich and I were able to do our part to preserve one of America's most precious natural resources."
"These species of Asian carp are voracious eaters and would seriously impact the food and habitat available to native fish in our Great Lakes," said Senator DeWine. "We need to shut the door to all of the pathways that these fish can use to enter the Great Lakes. Because the Corp of Engineers contract is expiring soon, these emergency funds are desperately needed. We need a long-term commitment to keeping these and other invasive species out."
"The Asian Carp problem is a ticking bomb and I commend my colleagues for working together to secure these funds in time," said Senator Durbin. "The carp approaching the northern section of the Illinois River and Lake Michigan have no natural predators and threaten both the native fish and natural wildlife of the lake, and, in turn, the economy of the entire Great Lakes region. The $400,000 approved by the Senate today will ensure that this critical barrier remains in operation, and that we avert a potentially devastating situation."
Asian carp threaten the Great Lakes ecosystem because they quickly consume large quantities of phytoplankton, which is critical to the stability of the ecosystem. Originally, they were introduced to the United States as a management tool for aqua culture farms and sewage treatment facilities. The carp have made their way north to the Illinois River after escaping from fish farms during massive flooding along the Mississippi River. Asian carp can grow to an average of four feet and 60 pounds, and can consume up to 40 percent of their body weight in plankton per day.