The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will get an additional $13 million to fend off the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation hope this is just the first round of emergency funding to thwart a crisis the carp would certainly cause in the Great Lakes.  In all, it is estimated it will take $30 million in FY2010 to prevent the carp from invading and devastating the Great Lakes.

The Asian carp were imported from Asia to the Deep South to cleanse fish ponds and sewage lagoons, but escaped into the Mississippi River and have been working their way north since the 1970s.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web site, Asian Carp “are a significant threat to the Great Lakes because they are large, extremely prolific, and consume vast amounts of food. They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and can grow to a length of more than four feet. They are well-suited to the climate of the Great Lakes region, which is similar to their native Asian habitats.  Researchers expect that Asian carp would disrupt the food chain that supports the native fish of the Great Lakes. Due to their large size, ravenous appetites, and rapid rate of reproduction, these fish could pose a significant risk to the Great Lakes Ecosystem.”

This $13 million will be a combination of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding and reprogrammed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) funds.  The money will be used by the Corps and other agencies to keep the carp out of the Great Lakes.  Recently, the carp have been found south of the preventative barrier, just 25 miles from Great Lakes access points and eDNA sampling has found genetic material a mere 8 miles from Lake Michigan.

This action comes after Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation wrote a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Committees on Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure asking for emergency funding.