Michigan to sponsor $1.15 billion project to protect the Great Lakes

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois Monday to cosponsor the construction of a $1.15 billion project to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.

“Today’s agreement will help us get shovels in the ground as soon as possible on the critical Brandon Road project,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The Great Lakes are the beating heart of Michigan’s economy, and Brandon Road will help us protect local communities and key industries, including fishing and boating, that support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.”

This agreement unlocks $274 million in federal and $114 million in state funding for the first of three overall stages in the project.

“I am grateful to Governor Pritzker in Illinois, the Army Corps of Engineers, and our champions in Congress for their long-term partnership on this monumental task,” said Whitmer. Together, we will get the job done so we can protect our lakes and power economic growth for generations to come.”

The Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP) is designed to prevent the upstream movement of invasive carp and other aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes from the Illinois Waterway at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Michigan previously appropriated $64 million to the project in 2023.

“The USACE Rock Island District has been working diligently with our partners in the states of Illinois and Michigan to move this critical project forward,” said Rock Island District Commander, Col. Aaron Williams. “We are excited to be entering this next phase of the project and are committed to preventing the upstream movement of invasive carp and other aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes.”

The Great Lakes are home to 21% of the world’s fresh water.

Invasive carp such as bighead, silver, and black carp, could potentially outcompete other Great Lakes fish like lake whitefish, perch, and walleye. Invasive species colonizing the Great Lakes basin could also leave inland rivers and lakes vulnerable.

The project will consist of multiple structural control measures, including a flushing lock, electric barrier, acoustic deterrents, air bubble curtain, and automated barge clearing deterrents. In addition, the project will work with other government agencies to implement public education, outreach, monitoring, pest management, manual removal, and research.

“Our multi-agency team of scientists and engineers has worked tirelessly over the last three years in combination with external stakeholders to design what we believe is an effective solution for protecting the Great Lakes watershed,” said Scott Whitney, BRIP Project Manager at the USACE Rock Island District.

Michigan has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Great Lakes states to maintain the Great Lakes since 2011, leading to the following project progression:

• 2014 : the Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Separation Study identified several options for separating the two basins. Subsequently, the Brandon Road lock and Dam site in Joliet, Illinois, was identified as the best location to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.
• 2018 : the Brandon Road Feasibility Study was finalized, and Michigan committed $8 million to the project.
• 2020 : a Planning, Engineering, and Design agreement was signed between Illinois and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Michigan supported Illinois as a nonfederal sponsor and contributed $8 million of the $10.1 million nonfederal funds required.
• 2022 : a new cost for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project was estimated at $1.14 billion, requiring a 10% nonfederal cost share.
• 2023 : appropriations in Michigan ($64 million) and Illinois ($50 million) meet the nonfederal requirement to begin construction of the project.

“Today’s announcement represents a major milestone in the protection of Michigan’s natural resources, in this case one of our most prized natural resources, the Great Lakes,” said Scott Bowen, Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “I want to thank and congratulate everyone involved in this effort, at the state and national level, for the years of effort that went into making this day a reality. Our children and grandchildren will thank them, too.”

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