Critics worry the Army Corps of Engineers plan to stop Asian Carp from reaching the Great Lakes will take too long to do any good.
Officials with the Corps say it could be 2025 before the project is complete and critics say by then it may already be too late.
Tammy Newcomb is with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. She said there is some concern that by the time the barriers are erected the carp will already have made it into the Great Lakes.
“That is a very big concern for us but I do think the plan does allow for and call for other actions that can be implemented sooner, things like the nonstructural measures, many of which already are in place.”
Newcomb said the long review process will also require budget approval from congress.
“I think it’s very important that the people of Michigan and those who really enjoy the Great Lakes understand that we’re at a pivotal moment of time of prevention. Prevention is always the hardest thing to do because it’s preventing the unseen. We have a history of invasive species in the Great Lakes and we want to get this one right.”
Newcomb said concerns about the timeline are valid - and are worth taking up with both political representatives and the Army Corps.
“I think it’s very important for the people of Michigan and people who enjoy the Great Lakes to make their concerns known to the Army Corps as well as to their elected officials.”
Newcomb said the Army Corps plan may allow for some early installment of barriers that aren’t physical, such as sound barriers, that could help keep asian carp from making it to Lake Michigan.
The Army Corps of Engineers plan is open for public comment through November 16th.
To leave a comment visit: http://glmris.anl.gov/brandon-rd/draft-comments/
The DNR is an underwriter of WCMU.