GLIN==> Mayors call for Unity to Keep Asian Carp Out of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence

Mayors call for Unity to Keep Asian Carp Out of the Great Lakes and St.
Lawrence

 

February 8, 2010 -- The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
announced on Friday that maintaining unity within the Great Lakes and
St. Lawrence community is essential to prevent  Asian carp from
establishing populations in the largest freshwater resource in the
world.  The Cities Initiative Board of Directors has adopted a
"Statement of Unity" that sets out key steps that need to be taken to
protect the resource.

 

Cities Initiative Chairman George Heartwell, Mayor of Grand Rapids, MI,
said, "This is a matter of utmost urgency and we need a united sense of
purpose among the government partners and the stakeholder community that
the Asian carp must be stopped dead in their tracks.  There is no
tomorrow when it comes to solving this problem."

 

The Cities Initiative outlines key steps in the short, mid, and long
term that need to be taken.  In the short term in 2010, much more
comprehensive surveillance and monitoring is essential immediately to
know where the Asian carp are, how many of them are there, and where
they are going.  With that information available, the authorities can
make much better decisions about what type of actions are necessary for
what numbers of fish in what locations.  While this is being done,
continued operation of the electronic barrier at optimum levels,
construction of flood protection, additional chemical treatment, and
other possible steps must be taken or readily available.  

 

Moving from the short term to the mid- term in 2011 and 2012, there must
be an expedited study for long term solutions, including separation of
the Great Lakes and Mississippi watersheds in a way that prevents fish
and plant life from moving between the two basins.  Upon completion of
those studies, there must be full and timely implementation of the
solutions in 2013 and beyond,  and the funding to make it happen.

 

David Ullrich, Executive Director of the Cities Initiative, said,
"Mayors from across the basin are prepared to work with all partners to
come up with the best solutions and make them a reality so the Great
Lakes and St. Lawrence are protected.  The quality of life and economic
well being of our people are determined by the resource, and we owe it
to ourselves and future generations to keep the Asian carp out."

 

To read the "Statement of Unity" please visit
www.glslcities.org/documents/StatementofUnityGLSLCI020510.pdf  

 

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a bi-national
coalition of 70 mayors and other local officials that works actively to
advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and St.
Lawrence River.  To learn more, please visit www.glslcities.org. 

 

Contact: David Ullrich 312-201-4516 (office) / 312-480-6501 (cell)

 

 

Melissa A. Soline

Program Manager

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

177 North State Street, Suite 500

Chicago, Illinois 60601

Phone 312.201.4517

Fax 312.553.4355

 <mailto:melissa.arjomand at glslcities.org> melissa.soline at glslcities.org

 <http://www.glslcities.org> www.glslcities.org 

  

 

 

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