Resolution: Construction and Maintenance of a Permanent Dispersal Barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
Adopted on May 04, 2004

PDF version for printing

Whereas, the prospective invasion of Asian carp has been identified as a major threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem; and

Whereas, Asian carp have been found in the Illinois River just 22 miles downstream from the site of the current non-permanent dispersal barrier; and

Whereas, the current barrier must be periodically shut down for maintenance and will need to be renovated with new electrodes or completely replaced by 2005; and

Whereas, construction of a permanent second barrier will ensure that a longer lasting electric array will be in place, providing greater protection against invasions of aquatic invasive species.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges the U.S. Congress to appropriate annual funding of $.5 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate and maintain the current electric dispersal barrier in the Chicago and Sanitary Ship Canal; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission calls for the immediate approval of a second permanent dispersal barrier and urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with other appropriate federal and state entities, to construct this barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at full-federal cost; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges the U.S. Congress to provide the authority to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through the next Water Resources Development Act, to convert the existing temporary barrier into a permanent barrier, construct a second permanent barrier and operate both barriers at full-federal cost; and

Be It Finally Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges the U.S. Congress to reaffirm its commitment to protect the Great Lakes and other national and international waters from the threat of aquatic invasive species by promptly passing the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act (NAISA).

Unanimously adopted by the Great Lakes Commission at its 2004 Semiannual Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, May 04, 2004.