Senator Dick Durbin: Senate Approves Federal Funding for Asian Carp Barrier

December 19, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that that the Senate has approved $9.25 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue operation and construction on the Asian Carp Barrier project. The funds were included in the omnibus appropriations bill passed by the Senate late yesterday. This barrier will prevent the spread of invasive species, including Asian Carp, between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Senator Durbin worked with Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to authorize and fund this project.

“The Asian Carp threatens both the native fish and natural wildlife of the lake and in turn, the economy of the entire Great Lakes region,” said Durbin. “Currently, this invasive species threatens a $4.1 billion sport and commercial fishing industry in the Great Lakes. The Army Corps has made it clear that both a backup and a primary barrier are needed to prevent these harmful fish from entering the waters of the Great Lakes and we worked hard to have funding for both included in the bill."

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Asian Carp threaten the Great Lakes ecosystem because they consume large quantities of phytoplankton, which is critical to the stability of the ecosystem. Originally, they were introduced to the United States as a management tool for aqua culture farms and sewage treatment facilities. The carp have made their way north to the Illinois River after escaping from fish farms during massive flooding along the Mississippi River. Asian Carp can grow to an average of four feet and 60 pounds, and can consume up to 40 percent of their body weight in plankton per day.

Specifically, today’s legislation

* Appropriates $500,000 to maintain a consistent flow of electricity in order to keep the current demonstration barrier operational.
* Appropriates $8 million to make permanent a system to eliminate potential bypasses of non-indigenous aquatic nuisance species such as the Asian Carp.

Source: Senator Dick Durbin