Bill to Stop Asian Carp from Entering Great Lakes Introduced in Washington
WASHINGTON,
DC – U.S.
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today joined Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in
introducing bipartisan legislation to prevent Asian carp and other invasive
species from entering the Great Lakes and destroying the Lakes' ecosystem. The
Stop Invasive Species Act would require the speedy creation of an action
plan to block Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes through a number of
rivers and tributaries across the Great Lakes region.
“We need to act now to
prevent Asian Carp from infiltrating Lake Erie and threatening the fishing and
boating industries that rely on a healthy lake,” said Senator Casey. “This bill
would expedite the creation of an aggressive plan to stop Asian carp from
entering the Great Lakes at 18 points of entry and protect the communities along
Lake Erie that depend on the lake for recreation and commerce.”
The Stop Invasive
Species Act requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to submit to Congress
an expedited action plan with options for stopping Asian carp from penetrating
the Great Lakes across 18 possible points of entry. The bill requires the Army
Corps to submit a progress report to Congress and the President within 90 days
of the law's enactment. The full plan would need to be completed within 18
months.
Under the Stop
Invasive Species Act, the Army Corps would continue to examine modes of
transportation across key waterways to ensure shipping could continue while
mechanisms for preventing Asian carp from destroying the Great Lakes are
implemented.
The bill is supported by
the Great Lakes Commission, The Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Alliance for the
Great Lakes, Healing our Waters Coalition, National Wildlife Federation and
Trout Unlimited.
In addition to Senator
Casey, other original cosponsors include Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Sherrod
Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Carl Levin (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY),
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken
(D-MN).
Congressman Dave Camp
(R-MI) introduced companion legislation in the House
since 1947
Comments