Governor Whitmer signs nearly $400 million agreement to protect Great Lakes from invasive carp

LANSING (WWJ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that Michigan signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois to cosponsor the Brandon Road Interbasin Project— to prevent invasive carp and “aquatic nuisance species" from entering the Great Lakes.

In a press release, the governor's office said the “milestone agreement unlocks” $274 million in federal and $114 million in state funding for the first phase of the three-phase project.

“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,” Governor Whitmer said in the release.

The Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois (about 45 southwest of Chicago) is a “critical pinch point to stop invasive carp” from swimming into the Great Lakes.

Invasive carp—including the bighead, silver and black carp— threaten species like lake perch, whitefish and walleye. Silver carp are known to leap through the air and have injured boaters. If the carp pass through and “colonize” the Great Lakes basin; the inland rivers and lakes are also "vulnerable", the release said.

“The Great Lakes hold countless memories for many of us, from catching our first fish to watching loved ones play on their shores,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in the release. “They are central to our Pure Michigan identity. This landmark agreement marks a significant victory in protecting these lakes from invasive, dangerous carp, ensuring the joy and beauty of these waters remain for all to enjoy.”