Dingell Cosponsors Bipartisan Measure to Protect the Great Lakes

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, addressed the Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast and spoke of her pride in joining Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) and bipartisan members of the Michigan delegation in introducing a bill to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species. The Defending Our Great Lakes Act, introduced today, will improve the invasive species control systems on the Mississippi River to prevent Asian carp from ever reaching the Great Lakes.

In her comments this morning, Dingell spoke of growing up on the St. Clair River. "Every day, I took the water for granted," she said. "We swam, fished, collected minnows, ice skated and ice fished. I learned the language of boats, barges and buoys. Heaven to me then and still now is floating down the river in an inner tube.

"Protecting the Great Lakes is personal to me and critical for our state," Dingell continued. "It is also an excellent example of how the Michigan delegation can work together in a bipartisan way. Congresswoman Miller and I agreed early on to work together on a number of issues, including keeping the Asian carp out of our waters, and I will be her Democratic partner in getting this legislation through the House. Just one Asian carp entering the Great Lakes would have a devastating impact on tourism, fishing and conservation, and this issue will be a top priority for me on the Natural Resources Committee."

"Protecting our magnificent Great Lakes from Asian carp is not a partisan issue," said Congresswoman Miller. "This destructive species doesn't care whether you are a Republican or Democrat, and they pose a very serious threat to our Lakes and those that rely on them. I look forward to working with Rep. Dingell to help advance this important measure in the House."

Invasive species pose a grave threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem and the region's $7 billion recreational fishing and $16 billion recreational boating industries. Asian carp in particular consume 20 percent of their bodyweight each day, and once they are introduced into a foreign ecosystem it is virtually impossible to eradicate them.

The Defending Our Great Lakes Act authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve the Brandon Road Lock and Dam site in Joliet, IL. The Corps is also required to use the latest technology to prevent Asian carp from entering the lakes when working on the Brandon Road site. The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) identified Brandon Road as a potential choke-point that could let Asian carp into the Great Lakes if no action was taken to improve the site.

Source