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"Illinois fishermen
tell tales of 40-pound fish leaping into their boats. They're not
fish stories, they're facts of the invasion of Asian carp, already
infesting some Illinois waterways. We need to do everything we can
to protect the Great Lakes from this invasive species," Blagojevich
said. Asian carp pose a threat to native fish and aquatic
ecosystems because they consume much of the food chain. They eat
aquatic plants, compete with native fish for plankton, and eat
snails and clams. Black carp can live to at least age 15 and grow to
more than 5 feet and 150 pounds. They reach maturity at 6 to 11
years of age and then reproduce annually.
"We've already seen Asian carp escape into Illinois waters and
begin taking over the ecosystems," said Joel Brunsvold, director of
the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "It is much easier to
keep Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes than to try and get
rid of them once they do get in and begin damaging the habitat."
Illinois has learned from the silver and the bighead carp just
how destructive Asian carp are to native ecosystems. The silver and
bighead carp originated in Illinois from escapees from fish farms in
Arkansas and Mississippi. Once in the Mississippi River, these
species successfully reproduced and swam in huge numbers toward
Illinois. Today, silver and bighead carp comprise up to 75 percent
or more of the fish population in many areas of the Illinois River.
Blagojevich signed a bill this summer allowing the state to
regulate Asian carp imported to and transported within the state of
Illinois. But if other states are not under the same regulations,
the legally imported carp in Southern states can travel through the
river system and contaminate Illinois waters, which is why it must
be illegal for any state to import Asian carp.
Blagojevich also wrote to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
requesting it rule in favor of banning Asian carp. The Fish and
Wildlife Service has proposed a ban but has not yet made a final
decision.
In addition to banning further importation of the fish,
Blagojevich is also asking Illinois representatives to authorize and
appropriate money to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
reinforce, operate and maintain essential barriers to keep Asian
carp from entering the Great Lakes.
* * *
 Text of the governor's letter to members of the Illinois
congressional delegation:
October 19, 2005
I am contacting you because invasive species are threatening the
health of Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. The Asian carp, a
non-native species, is poised to decimate the Great Lakes ecosystems
if we don't prevent this fish from entering the lakes.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed banning
importation of Asian carp into the United States but has not yet
made a final decision. I wanted to let you know that I've expressed
my concern by writing the USFWS asking that they impose this ban
now.
I know that you agree that the Great Lakes are a national
treasure that simply must not be put at risk. That's why I also
encourage you to help protect the Great Lakes by co-sponsoring H.R.
3049, the Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act that would ban Asian
carp imports.
If Asian carp are allowed to enter the Great Lakes, this invasive
species – that has no natural predators – could devastate the
aquatic ecosystem of the world's largest source of freshwater. Asian
carp pose a variety of threats to native fish and aquatic ecosystems
because they can consume much of the food chain. They eat aquatic
plants, compete for plankton with native fish, and eat snails and
clams. These voracious feeders breed prolifically and can weigh more
than 100 pounds.
While I understand the importance of the Asian carp to the
aquaculture industry in southern states, it is unconscionable to
protect the use of Asian carp while jeopardizing the health of Lake
Michigan and the entire Great Lakes ecosystem. The aquaculture
industry's long-term viability simply must not depend on endangering
the Great Lakes. Who will pay if the Asian carp causes the food web
to collapse, causing irreparable harm to the $5 billion Great Lakes'
sport fishing industry?
Lake Michigan is the front line in the battle to prevent the carp
from entering the Great Lakes. After escaping fish farms in the
Mississippi River, these carp have made their way through the
Illinois river system and now are just miles from the lake.
Illinois, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S.
EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others is leading the
effort to stop the Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. With
significant funding from the State of Illinois, the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers has installed two electric barriers designed to repel
the carp.
[to top of second column in this article] |
However, additional funding for these barriers is vital because
they are the only protection Lake Michigan has from this invasive
species. There is a critical need for a Conference Committee add-on
to the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for FY06 to direct and
fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate and maintain the
Aquatic Nuisance Species Barriers in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship
Canal. Please authorize and appropriate the following expenditures
to allow the Army Corps to continue operating these essential
barriers because protecting the Great Lakes is a national concern
that is most appropriately addressed by Congress.
1. $1 million for operation and maintenance of both Barrier I &
Barrier II
2. $750,000 for safety testing and analysis of Barrier II
3. $2.5 million to convert Barrier I from a demonstration
project to a permanent facility
4. $750,000 for a preliminary feasibility study of
separating the Great Lakes/Mississippi River watersheds.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor
* * *
Text of the governor's letter to the director of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service:
October 19, 2005
Mr. H. Dale Hall, Director
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW
Mail Stop 3012 M.I.B.
Washington, DC 20240
Mr. Hall,
I am contacting you to strongly urge you to ban the importation
of Asian Carp into the United States. Importing Asian carp must be
stopped in order to protect the health of Lake Michigan and the
other Great Lakes.
If these fish are not prevented from entering the Great Lakes,
this invasive species – that has no natural predators – could
decimate the ecosystem of the world's largest source of surface
freshwater.
While I understand the importance of the Asian carp to the
aquaculture industry in southern states, it is unconscionable to
protect the use of Asian carp while jeopardizing the health of Lake
Michigan and the entire Great Lakes ecosystem. The aquaculture
industry's long-term viability simply must not depend on endangering
the Great Lakes. Who will pay if the Asian carp causes the food web
to collapse, causing irreparable harm to $5 billion Great Lakes'
sport fishing industry?
As you know, Lake Michigan is the front line in the battle to
prevent the carp from entering the Great Lakes. After making their
way through the Illinois river system, these carp are now just miles
from the lake. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has been
working in close partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, U.S. EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and others to
erect electric barriers to stop the Asian Carp from entering Lake
Michigan.
Additional funding for these barriers is urgently needed because
they are the only protection Lake Michigan has from this invasive
species. Therefore, in addition to asking you to ban further
importation of these fish, I have asked Illinois' congressional
representatives to authorize and appropriate the following
expenditures to allow the Army Corps to reinforce, operate and
maintain these essential barriers.
1. $1 million for operation and maintenance of both Barrier I &
Barrier II
2. $750,000 for safety testing and analysis of Barrier II
3. $2.5 million to convert Barrier I from a demonstration
project to a permanent facility
4. $750,000 for a preliminary feasibility study of
separating the Great Lakes/Mississippi River watersheds.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor
[News release from the governor's
office] |
