Camo At The Capitol

Asian Carp Update, public meetings scheduled

The past two months have been filled with ever-changing news and information on the threat of Asian Carp to the Great Lakes as federal and state officials wrestle over the best solutions. Most of the debate has centered on immediate closure of navigational locks in the Chicago River system (aka "The Chicago Carp Canal"), which are considered the last obstacle separating Asian Carp from the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. With the exception of Illinois, Great Lakes states and the Canadian Province of Ontario have been fighting to close the locks until a long-term solution can be establihed. Major resistance on this solution has come from the White House, Illinois, and the Chicago shipping industry.

If you're not familiar with how Asian Carp pose an ecological threat to the Great Lakes, its sportfishery and Michigan's economy, watch the PBS report that aired on January 25, 2010.

For those who have been following the issue, here is a breakdown of our options to create an ecological barrier between the carp and the Great Lakes:

Legal Option

With the evidence of Asian Carp DNA beyond electric barriers in the Chicago Carp Canal, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox filed suit in the U.S. Supreme Court in December seeking to close the locks. On January 19  the Supreme Court denied Michigan's petition for an injunction that would force the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State of Illinois to close navigational locks in the Chicago waterway system. On that same day U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan informed the Court that Asian Carp eDNA (silver) had been discoved in Lake Michigan's Calumet Harbor. Just last week, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced the filing of a renewed motion for the Court to reconsider with the new eDNA evidence.

Michigan also has an alternative Supplemental Decree petition in front of the Court that seeks to re-open the original 1929 Wisconsin v. Illinois case. Specifically, the petition asks Supreme Court declaration that operation of the Canal is unlawful because it aides the introduction of harmful invasive species.  Attorney General Mike Cox argues that operation of the Canal has allowed the introduction of acquatic invasive species that "create[s] a threat of irreperable injury to natural resources held in trust by the State of Michigan ... and its citizens." The U.S. Government and State of Illinois have until February 19, 2010 to file motions to this petition.

Legislative Option

In our legislative branch of government, Michigan's entire Congressional delegation has shown a strong commitment to preventing Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes. In January, U.S. Representative Dave Camp (R) and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) introduced bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislation (H.R. 4472 and S. 2946) that would direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close the Chicago locks until a permanant strategy is developed. Collectively named the "CARP (Close All Routes and Prevent Asian Carp Today) Act of 2010, the bills have been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, respectively.

Just last week, the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on Asian Carp.  MUCC submitted testimony along with fellow Michigan sporting and conservation groups urging the Subcommittee to take action on immediate and long-term preventative measures, including the CARP ACT legislation. A recording of the hearing is also available.   

Pushing the Asian Carp issue to the forefront of the Congressional agenda is not a simple task and will definitely take more than the support of Michigan and other Great Lakes lawmakers. MUCC will be working with partners like Trout Unlimited and National Wildlife Federation to help build nationwide support for the CARP ACT - Michigan OutofDoors readers are encouraged to contact friends and relatives across the country to join the fight!

The White House's Plan for Asian Carp

As the Chief Executive, President Obama oversees the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Fish & Wildlife, the U.S. Coast Guard and other federal actors that may act on Asian Carp. Furious over the White House's opposition to closing the locks, Michigan and Wisconsin Governors Jennifer Granholm and Jim Doyle demanded a meeting between the Obama Administration and Great Lakes governors to discuss Asian Carp. In response, the White House held a  "Carp Summit" on February 8 in Washington. At the Summit, the Obama administration unveiled a $78.5 million, 25-point plan to control Asian Carp. The draft "Asian Carp Control Strategy" (Framework) does not call for closure of the locks, which most experts consider the best short-term strategy to prevent an breeding Asian Carp population from devastating at $7 billion Great Lakes Sportfishery. Instead, the Framework proposes to close the locks three to four days per week.

The White House's response to this critical problem reveals that it is committed to spending federal resources on control measures for Asian Carp, but is not willing to take tough political stands to implement the best preventative measure available:  the immediate closure of Chicago navigational locks. This response is particularly troublesome given the President's campaign pledge to implement a "Zero Tolerance Policy For Invasive Species."

Visit an Asian Carp public meeting near you

Grassroots advocacy has, and will continue to have a powerful effect on this issue. While Michigan's state and federal leaders appear to be in lockstep on combating Asian Carp, it's important for Michigan residents to be educated on the issue and continue political pressure on Washington.

A host of federal agencies will visit Michigan on February 17 to receive input on Obama's Framework Plan. Mike Cox and several Michigan members of Congress are also traveling the state to host townhall meetings on the issue.  Please consider attending one of the meetings below to have your voice heard. If you don't see one scheduled near you, it is still possible that more are being scheduled, so check back for updates.

Internatinal Joint Commission Public Hearing on Asian Carp

• What:  To discuss plans and get recommendations on Asian carp control efforts
• Who:  Senior representatives from the International Joint Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, Great Lakes states, provinces, municipalities and tribes (invited), White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Scientific experts
• When:  3:00 - 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17
• Where:  Marriott Ann Arbor Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron, Ypsilanti, MI  48197
• The meeting also will be available via web live stream HERE
• Those who cannot attend the meeting in person can submit questions on the Web site.
• When available, the framework and a transcript of the meeting will be posted at www.asiancarp.org/regionalcoordination
• Comments on the framework may also be submitted online at the above Web site

Town Hall Meetings hosted by  Attorney General Mike Cox and Michigan Members of Congress

• Traverse City: Feb. 17, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (hosted by AG Cox and Congressman Dave Camp)
• St. Joseph:  Feb. 18, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Public Library (hosted by AG Cox and Congressman Fred Upton)
• Grand Rapids:  Feb. 22, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Gerald Ford Museum Auditorium (hosted by AG Cox and Congressman Vernon Ehlers)

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