U.S. Representative Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, issued the following statement in response to today's announcement by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that a water sample within the lower Kalamazoo River, Allegan County, tested positive for Asian carp environmental DNA (eDNA).
"This finding is a frightening reminder of the threat posed to our fragile Great Lakes ecosystem. Building upon the success of this year's water resources bill, the Great Lakes region must work together to find a solution that protects our treasured waters for future generations," said Upton, a leading member of the congressional Great Lakes Task Force. "Thousands of jobs hang in the balance as our Great Lakes support a multi-billion-dollar fishing industry, which could be quickly decimated if the carp reach our waters. I applaud Governor Snyder for recognizing the urgency of this situation. We must all remain vigilant until this destructive force is stopped."
Upton's office has been in close contact with the State of Michigan and will receive additional information as further testing is conducted.
Earlier this year, Upton voted for the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014, which passed the House by a nearly unanimous vote of 412 to 4. Now law, WRRDA seeks to prevent the spread of Asian carp by requiring USFWS -- along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, and U.S. Geological Survey -- to provide technical assistance, coordination, and support to state and local governments. Additionally, WRRDA authorizes the Army Corps to make modifications and enhancements to existing projects to prevent the spread of invasive species within the Great Lakes.
Per the Michigan DNR and USFWS, 200 water samples were taken along the Kalamazoo River in June 2014 and then again in July. Of those latter 200 samples, one tested positive for Asian carp eDNA. The findings "indicate the presence of genetic material of silver carp, such as scales, excrement or mucous. However, there is no evidence that a population of silver carp is established in the Kalamazoo River." Popular activities in the Kalamazoo River, like recreational boating and fishing, increase the possibility of carp eDNA entering the river without the presence of a live carp.