Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for Michigan State University to Stop Invasive Species
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funding Will Help Prevent Spread of Invasive Species in Great Lakes
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for Michigan State University to help stop the spread of invasive species in the Great Lakes. The grants are part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which is the largest investment in the health of our Great Lakes in two decades.
“Asian carp and other invasive species pose a grave threat to our economy and Michigan’s way of life,” said Stabenow. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will help stop the spread of invasive species, preserving our Great Lakes for future generations and protecting hundreds of thousands of Michigan jobs.”
“Invasive species are a significant threat to the health and well-being of the Great Lakes, and that makes them a threat to the health and well-being of our state,” Levin said. “This funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will help Michigan researchers lead the way in confronting this threat.”
The funds will be used to help prevent sea lampreys from entering streams that have a history of lamprey spawning infestation and to develop a portable monitoring device to detect environmental DNA (eDNA) of high-risk aquatic invasive species. Michigan State University will receive a total of $992,823 for the two projects. More information about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative can be accessed on their website at www.greatlakesrestoration.us.