GLIN==> Conservation groups support legal action to close Illinois locks

Alliance for the Great Lakes – Great Lakes United – Healing Our
Waters-Great Lakes Coalition – Michigan United Conservation Clubs –
National Wildlife Federation

Michigan Gov. Granholm Urges Legal Action To Stop Asian Carp from
Entering Great Lakes

Conservation groups support legal action to close Illinois locks

 Lansing, Mich. (December 2, 2009)—Conservation groups today supported
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s call for the state to take legal
action to prevent the invasive Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.


In a letter released today, Gov. Granholm and Lt. Gov. John Cherry
instructed Attorney General Mike Cox “to vigorously pursue every legal
tool” to keep Asian carp out of the lakes—including the closure of
navigational locks in Chicago that are the only obstacle between the
invasive fish and Lake Michigan. 

“Faced with this urgent threat to our environment and our economy, we
support Michigan using every arrow in its quiver to stop the Asian carp
from entering the Great Lakes,” said Erin McDonough, executive director
of Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “The clock is ticking and it is
imperative that we act now before it’s too late.”

Conservation groups, in a separate letter to Attorney General Cox,
stated: “[W]e support Governor Granholm’s request that you take legal
action to close, at least temporarily, all Illinois locks providing
access to Lake Michigan until the state of Illinois and federal agencies
can demonstrate that Asian carp will not swim into Lake Michigan.”

The call for legal action comes nearly two weeks after conservation
groups asked state and federal authorities to immediately close
navigational locks in response to new DNA data indicating that the
invasive Asian carp had breached an electric fence and were only miles
from Lake Michigan. No action has been taken to close the locks—the last
barriers between the invasive fish and Lake Michigan. 

“This is a five-alarm emergency, and the government agencies need to
treat it that way,” said Andy Buchsbaum, regional executive director of
the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Regional Center. “News
that carp DNA has breached the barrier is a game-changer and our
strategy needs to change with it. That means closing the locks
immediately so that we cut off the carp from the Great Lakes.”

“Today we can literally slam the door to protect the lakes from the
Asian carp. If we don't, our kids and grandkids will never know the
lakes as we see them now,” said Joel Brammeier, acting president of the
Alliance for the Great Lakes. “Invasive species don't come with second
chances. It is imperative that state and federal leaders take emergency
action to close the locks and protect the Great Lakes.”

State and federal agencies are scheduled today to use a plant-based
toxin to kill fish—including Asian carp—along sections of the Chicago
Sanitary and Ship Canal and Cal-Sag Channel as they perform maintenance
on the electric fence. The toxin, rotenone, is not harmful to people and
breaks down rapidly into carbon dioxide and water.

Known to batter boaters and even knock them into the water at the sound
of a passing motor, Asian carp are voracious filter feeders that can
grow to more than 4 feet long, weigh up to 100 pounds and quickly
dominate a body of water by gobbling up the same food that sustains
native fish populations. 
 
“If the Asian carp make it to Lake Michigan, the damage to fisheries in
the Lakes and tributaries will be profound and irreversible,” said
Jennifer Nalbone, director of Navigation and Invasive Species for Great
Lakes United. “The carp have gotten ahead of us, and we need true
leadership to push them back. Success or failure will hinge on whether
officials act quickly to close the locks and take every step necessary
to permanently prevent the carp from invading Lake Michigan.”

If the carp make their way into the Great Lakes, they could devastate
the region's $4.5 billion fishing recreational boaters, anglers and tourists use and enjoy the lakes and
their many tributaries.

“Citizens, communities and businesses will pay the price if the Asian
carp enter the Great Lakes,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director for
the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, “which is why we support
taking every action necessary to protect the world’s largest source for
fresh water from Asian carp.”

For letter to Attorney General Cox: http://www.nwf.org/greatlakes

Link to map of the area: 
http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/projects/fish_barrier/index.html

For Immediate Release:
December 2, 2009

Contact:
Erin McDonough: 517-775-9500 - Michigan United Conservation Clubs
Andy Buchsbaum: 734-717-3665 - National Wildlife Federation
Joel Brammeier: 773-590-6494 - Alliance for the Great Lakes
Jennifer Nalbone: 716-213-0408 - Great Lakes United
Jeff Skelding: 410-245-8021 - Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition
Jordan Lubetkin: 734-904-1589 - National Wildlife Federation

Jordan Lubetkin
Senior Regional Communications Manager
National Wildlife Federation
Great Lakes Regional Center
213 W. Liberty St., Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1398
www.nwf.org/greatlakes
www.healthylakes.org

Phone: (734) 887-7109 
Cell: (734) 904-1589

Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.