FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Contact: Megan Dutra (megan.dutra@mail.house.gov)

 

CONGRESSMAN DAVE JOYCE SIGNS BIPARTISAN LETTER TO PROTECT THE GREAT LAKES FROM ASIAN CARP

 

(WASHINGTON, DC)-Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) along with 25 bipartisan Members of Congress, sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee leadership urging the Committee to include language directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to complete and release the Chief’s Report Milestone for the Tentatively Selected Plan for the Brandon Road Study by no later than February 2019 in any Fiscal Year 2018 funding legislation. The Brandon Road Study evaluates various options to prevent the upstream transfer of Asian carp from the Mississippi River Basin into the Great Lakes Basin.

“I am proud to once again join a group of bipartisan Members of Congress to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp,” said Rep. Joyce, who serves as Co-Chair of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition. “These invasive species of Asian carp pose a threat to the health of the Lakes. This report is necessary to better understand how we can control the upstream movement of carp toward the Lakes.”

The letter, led by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), was also signed by Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Mike Bishop (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Daniel T. Kildee (D-MI), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Brenda L. Lawrence (D-MI), Sander M. Levin (D-MI), Paul Mitchell (R-MI), Richard M. Nolan (D-MN), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY), David A. Trott (R-MI), Fred Upton (R-MI), Tim Walberg (R-MI), and Timothy J. Walz (D-MN).

To read the full letter click here.

“It is my hope the Army Corps of Engineers is making significant progress on finalizing the Brandon Road Study,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), who serves as Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. “At a minimum, the Corps must meet its stated deadline of completing and releasing the Chief’s Report by February 2019. Given the gravity of the situation, I hope the Corps will present its findings even sooner than anticipated. It is widely accepted that if Asian carp are able to enter the Great Lakes, it will be nearly impossible to repair the damage done to the ecosystem as well as the economy. Time is of the essence and we cannot afford any further delays.”

“I’m proud to represent the largest stretch of Lake Michigan in Illinois, and the Great Lakes form an integral part of our local economy, environment, and quality of life,” said Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL). “We have seen up close the damage wreaked by invasive species such as zebra mussels, and it’s crucial we prevent Asian carp from reaching our lakes. Upgrading the dam and lock system at the Brandon Road site represents our best chance to stop the destructive spread of Asian carp. I urge the Appropriations Committee to consider our bipartisan request and include language keeping this project on track.”

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Rep. David P. Joyce has represented Ohio’s 14^th Congressional district since first being elected in 2012 and serves on the House Appropriations Committee. A lifelong Ohioan and former Geauga County Prosecutor, Rep. Joyce prides his congressional work based on common-sense legislation to keep our nation safe and working. Ohio’s 14^th congressional district is settled in Northeast Ohio, including portions of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake. Portage, Summit, and Trumbull counties.