Huizenga, Schneider Rally Bipartisan Support to Protect Great Lakes, Hold Army Corps Accountable

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representatives Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Brad Schneider (D-IL) released a bipartisan letter they sent to the House Appropriations Committee urging the Committee to include language directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete and release the Brandon Road Chief's Report by February of 2019. This request follows the original time frame established at the start of the Brandon Road Study. The letter was signed by a total of 26 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

"It is my hope the Army Corps of Engineers is making significant progress on finalizing the Brandon Road Study," said Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), who serves as Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. "At a minimum, the Corps must meet its stated deadline of completing and releasing the Chief's Report by February 2019. Given the gravity of the situation, I hope the Corps will present its findings even sooner than anticipated. It is widely accepted that if Asian carp are able to enter the Great Lakes, it will be nearly impossible to repair the damage done to the ecosystem as well as the economy. Time is of the essence and we cannot afford any further delays."

"I'm proud to represent the largest stretch of Lake Michigan in Illinois, and the Great Lakes form an integral part of our local economy, environment, and quality of life," said Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL). "We have seen up close the damage wreaked by invasive species such as zebra mussels, and it's crucial we prevent Asian carp from reaching our lakes. Upgrading the dam and lock system at the Brandon Road site represents our best chance to stop the destructive spread of Asian carp. I urge the Appropriations Committee to consider our bipartisan request and include language keeping this project on track."

The letter is addressed to Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelighuysen (R-NJ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), as well as Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).

"I applaud this bipartisan effort to prioritize protecting the Great Lakes from Asian carp," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), one of the recipients of the letter and Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. "Our coalition to protect the Lakes and address our many shared challenges grows stronger by the day. I commend my colleagues on their letter, and I will make sure it receives attention on the Appropriations Committee."

The letter was signed by Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Mike Bishop (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Brian Higgins (D-NY), David P. Joyce (R-OH), Daniel T. Kildee (D-MI), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Brenda L. Lawrence (D-MI), Sander M. Levin (D-MI), Paul Mitchell (R-MI), Richard M. Nolan (D-MN), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY), David A. Trott (R-MI), Fred Upton (R-MI), Tim Walberg (R-MI), and Timothy J. Walz (D-MN).

Source