GLIN==> National Wildlife Federation Supports Bill to Stop Asian Carp from Invading Great Lakes

Statement in support of Asian Carp legislation introduced today:
National Wildlife Federation Supports Bill to Stop Asian Carp from Invading Great Lakes

ANNARBOR, MICH. (March 3, 2011) - The National Wildlife Federation today is supporting the introduction of the Stop Asian Carp Act of 2011, federal legislation aimed at stopping the non-native Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes.  The legislation, introduced today by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Representative Dave Camp (R-Mich.), requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a plan, within 18 months, to permanently separate the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been tasked by Congress to prevent the spread of the voracious Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basins-which are connected by a series of Chicago-area canals. The Corps of Engineers, however, has dragged its feet to complete the study.

Amid the escalating threat of the Asian carp, the National Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups are urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate the study. If Asian carp invade the Great Lakes, the fish will pose a major threat to the lakes' $7 billion fishery and $16 billion recreational boating economy in the Great Lakes states.

Commenting on the bill introduction, Marc Smith, senior policy manager with the National Wildlife Federation, said:

"While the Corps is dragging their feet, Asian carp are swimming closer to the Great Lakes.  This legislation captures the public's outcry for immediate action by accelerating the Corps study so that we can get to work solving this urgent problem. We encourage other members of Congress to support and pass this bill so that we can more forward to advance a permanent solution to this crisis."

For Immediate Release:
March 3, 2011

Contact:
Marc Smith, National Wildlife Federation, 734-255-5413


Marc Smith
Senior Policy Manager
National Wildlife Federation
734-887-7116 work
734-255-5413 cell

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