Klobuchar, Ellison Announce Successful Action to Close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock

Press Release

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Keith Ellison today joined with state officials and local businesses to highlight the passage of their bipartisan provision to close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and help stop the spread of invasive carp. The provision, which was authored by Klobuchar and sponsored by Ellison in the House, will close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock within one year. Klobuchar and Ellison were joined by Minnesota DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, the Stop Invasive Carp Coalition, and businesses dependent on Minnesota's boating, fishing, and tourism industries.

"With our environment and economy at stake, Minnesota must win the battle to keep invasive carp out of our waterways," said Klobuchar. "We need to do everything we can to stop the further spread of this invasive species and closing this lock represents an important step in that fight."

"I'm proud that a bipartisan and bicameral push to protect Minnesota's waterways from invasive carp is headed to the president's desk," Rep. Ellison said. "Closing the little-used St. Anthony Falls Lock is the best way for us to slow the spread of invasive carp in Minnesota and to protect the natural resources that are critical to Minnesota's economy and our way of life."

Invasive carp are capable of eating between 20 and 120 percent of their body weight each day and outcompeting native fish. Closing the Upper St. Anthony Falls will help prevent invasive carp from reaching Mille Lacs Lake, Gull Lake, and other world class fisheries connected to the Mississippi River. Minnesota's fishing and boating industries contribute around $4 billion to the state's economy each year.

The provision was cosponsored by Senator Al Franken and Representatives Erik Paulsen, Tim Walz, and Rick Nolan. It is supported by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Audubon Minnesota, Minnesota Seasonal Recreational Property Owners, Anglers for Habitat, Clean Water Action, Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations, National Wildlife Federation, Fish & Wildlife Legislative Alliance, Mississippi River Fund, Minnesota Division Izaak Walton League of America, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Minnesota Trout Unlimited, National Parks Conservation Association, and Friends of the Mississippi River.

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