Aquatic Invasive Species
Aquatic Invasive Species
Aquatic invasive species have wreaked havoc on the Great Lakes ecosystem. Over 180 non-native species, many of them invasive, have been introduced into the lakes through the Erie and Welland Canals connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. A current major threat to the lakes is the potential spread of Asian carp into Lake Michigan from the Mississippi River via the Chicago Area Waterway System.
Sea lamprey, alewives, round gobies, zebra mussels, and quagga mussels are a few of the more invasive non-native species that have entered the Great Lakes, decimated populations of native species, and radically altered the ecosystem of the lakes. The ecological and economic damage resulting from these organisms is estimated at over $100 million annually.
In 2023, the Caucus voted to identify aquatic invasive species as one of the priority issues for the organization, committing to the following:
Aquatic Invasive Species: Control and prevent further introduction and movement of non-native species
- Strengthen and harmonize state and provincial laws on ballast water, while supporting federal standards
- Monitor and support collaborative efforts to prevent the introduction of invasive carp into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence
- Prevent movement of non-native species through recreation and private water vehicles
- Resolution to Support the Progress of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (2023)
- Letter from Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus leaders to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Corps’ recommended plan for using the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent the movement of Asian carp into the Great Lakes (2019)
- Letter from GLLC Executive Committee to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supporting Tentatively Selected Plan for work at Brandon Road Lock and Dam, urging expedited implementation of plan to prevent introduction of Asian carp (2017)
- Sign-on letter to President Donald Trump urging release of the Brandon Road Project Tentatively Selected Plan for controlling the spread of invasive species to the Great Lakes (2017)
- Sign-on letter opposing S. 373, Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (2015)
- Sign-on letter opposing S. 2094, Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (2014)
- Sign-on letter regarding Great Lakes-Mississippi River Interbasin Study (2014)
- Sign-on letter in support of expediting Great Lakes-Mississippi River Interbasin Study (2012)
On March 22, the GLLC held its second web meeting of 2024. Chad Lord, policy director for the…
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