The Army Corps of Engineers are set to release a study Monday detailing options for stopping the spread of asian carp.
The Corps announced it would release the study after six months of delays.
The study had been expected in February but the Trump Administration stalled it’s release indefinitely, saying they wanted to review the plan.
Officials with the National Wildlife Federation said there was no good reason for the delay.
Drew YoungDyke is with the National Wildlife Federation. He said with asian carp getting closer to the Great Lakes, the study is badly needed.
“Keeping asian carp out of the Great Lakes there is probably not one magic bullet. What it is is constant vigilance and constantly improving our defenses. Hopefully this Brandon Road Lock & Dam study will show us the way and provide some options to help us do that.”
YoungDyke said the study is only a draft and still needs public comment before the Army Corps can begin implementing a plan.
“So even if they start right now it’s going to take awhile. In the meantime the asian carp it seems are constantly moving closer.”
In June an asian carp was found within eight miles of Lake Michigan, well past the Army Corps of Engineers electrical barriers.
YoungDyke said conservation groups, politicians, and the public all put pressure on the Army Corps of Engineers to release the study.
“I’d like to think it was that pressure that did it. Those folks who called their legislators and the legislators themselves certainly deserve a ton of credit for this coming out. There was really no reason to delay it in the first place, we’re really just happy that these options will see the light of day.”
YoungDyke said he doesn’t know what will be in the study, but he’s looking forward to reading it.