By Don Cree
National Vice President, Great Lakes
There is a threat to the health of the Great Lakes system. It is not a new threat; we have been aware of its existence and progression for some time.
The bighead and silver carp, referred to collectively as Asian carp, have reached the door to the Great Lakes basins. The Asian carp, brought to the U.S. decades ago to control algae at commercial fish farming facilities, were at some point accidentally introduced into the freshwater ecosystems of the South. The Asian carp have since made a slow and steady procession northward along the Mississippi, overwhelming and devastating native fish populations as they go, and damaging the commercial and recreational fishing industries that depend upon local native fish stocks.
And yet, with this potentially catastrophic invasive species looming at Lakes' edge, the greatest immediate threat we face is one so-called 'solution' to the problem - a proposal that, if enacted, would have equally catastrophic consequences for the Great Lakes and the people and industries that depend upon them.
In general terms, this proposal calls for creation of an immediate and permanent ecological separation between the Great Lakes basins and primary external tributaries. Specifically, this proposal seeks to have the Army Corps of Engineers close the Chicago and O'Brien Locks to prevent migration of Asian carp into Lake Michigan. Incidentally, this would also immediately halt any commercial navigation involving the Chicago-area locks.
Proponents of this proposal justify the creation of this permanent barrier as a measure to protect the economic and ecological health of the Great Lakes system.
If the 'patient' this proposal intends to treat is the economic and ecological health of the Great Lakes, the 'cure' it would entail for the invasive infection that is the Asian carp is quite simply killing the patient.
The Chicago and O'Brien Locks provide a vital link between the inland rivers and the Great Lakes navigational system, enabling cost-effective waterborne transportation of bulk and break-bulk cargoes for businesses and industries in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. According to the most recent statistics available, 6.9 million tons of cargo transited these locks in 2008. Closing them would push this cargo into more than 277,000 thousand additional trucks on the region's already congested highways. It is well settled that, per ton moved, waterborne transportation is by far the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly mode resulting in the fewest accidents and human casualties.
This proposal is not a new idea. In recent years, some have called for the closure of the St. Lawrence Seaway in an attempt to stop the introduction and spread of invasive species. What then? Should the Soo Locks also be idled to eliminate a vector of migration? These are not viable solutions. Killing the patient is not an acceptable cure.
Yet this proposal is a threat. It has become legislation, which is now pending in the House of Representatives and the Senate (H.R. 4472 / S. 2946). AMO opposes this legislation, as does the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force.
Proponents of this proposal have filed a second motion with the U.S. Supreme Court, calling for the immediate closure of the Chicago-area locks. The court denied the first request for an injunction in December.
This is in no way intended to trivialize the danger posed by invasive species. The Asian carp is a major threat and must not be permitted to enter and establish a self-sustaining population in the Great Lakes basins.
This, we all agree upon.
In a statement for the February 9 hearing of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment on the Asian carp threat, Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, praised the "seemingly fluid coordination" of the Army Corps and the Environmental Protection Agency in their work thus far.
Solutions are in play to address the Asian carp threat - repairing and enhancing the canal's existing electronic barrier, accelerated planning and construction of a second electronic barrier, improved and effective storm water management to stop the fish from bypassing barriers during high water events - sustainable solutions to prevent the migration of the Asian carp into the Great Lakes basins.
These solutions and additional work being done by government agencies to halt the migration of the Asian carp are addressed and supported in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative just released by the EPA.
With funding and prioritization, effective and sustainable solutions can be implemented. As Congressman Oberstar pointed out, we face a great challenge and we must all - every stakeholder - work together to expeditiously address this threat.
For more than 20 years, the Great Lakes maritime industry has worked with state and federal officials to fight the problem of invasive aquatic nuisance species, particularly on ballast water management and treatment issues. Actions are being taken to enhance environmental protection while maintaining family-sustaining jobs.
Adequate funding needs to be provided to the Army Corps, the EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement effective measures to control the carp's migration while maintaining maritime commerce.
Proposals such as closure of the Chicago-area locks drive a wedge between interests who should be working together to achieve our common goal: protecting the economic and ecological health of the Great Lakes system that is the heart of our region.
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