Michigan signs agreement to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species

Michigan signed an agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois

PUBLISHED ON July 3, 2024

LANSING, Michigan – On July 1, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan has signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois to jointly fund construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. This groundbreaking agreement with the Biden administration releases $274 million in federal funds and $114 million in state funds for the first of three phases of the $1.15 billion project designed to prevent invasive carp and other aquatic pests from entering the Great Lakes.

“Today’s agreement will help us begin construction on the critical Brandon Road project as soon as possible,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The Great Lakes are the heart of Michigan’s economy, and Brandon Road will help us protect local communities and key industries, including fishing and boat building, that support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. I am grateful to Governor Pritzker of Illinois, the Army Corps of Engineers, and our champions in Congress for their long-term partnership on this monumental task. Together, we will get the job done so we can protect our lakes and drive economic growth for generations to come.”

Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois is a critical chokepoint to prevent the spread of invasive carp into the Great Lakes. The Brandon Road Interbasin Project will implement a complex series of measures to control invasive carp and aquatic pests.

“The Rock Island District of USACE has worked hard with our partners in the states of Illinois and Michigan to advance this important project,” said Rock Island District Commander Col. Aaron Williams. “We are excited to move into the next phase of the project and are committed to preventing the upstream migration of invasive carp and other aquatic pests into the Great Lakes.”

“Our interagency team of scientists and engineers has worked tirelessly with external stakeholders over the past three years to develop what we believe is an effective solution to protect the Great Lakes watershed,” said Scott Whitney, BRIP project manager for USACE’s Rock Island District.

“The Brandon Road Interbasin Project is critical to preventing invasive carp from devastating our Great Lakes, and today we reach an important milestone – the start of construction. I have worked tirelessly over the years to bring this important project to this point, along with my partners in the U.S. Senate, Michigan, Illinois, and the Army Corps of Engineers. This is a major achievement that will protect our Great Lakes for generations to come,” said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

“This agreement is a critical step forward in preventing the spread of harmful, invasive carp in our Great Lakes,” said U.S. Senator Gary Peters. “For years, invasive carp have threatened our environment as well as critical industries that rely on healthy Great Lakes to fuel our state’s economy. I have repeatedly advocated and worked to secure funding for this important infrastructure project, and I am pleased to see it get underway soon.”

“This agreement, long in the making and the result of a close partnership among many stakeholders, especially Governor Whitmer and my colleagues in Congress, is critical to protecting our Great Lakes from harmful and destabilizing invasive species that threaten the environment, the economy, and our way of life,” said U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “I am proud to have helped secure funding for this project and will continue to work every day to protect our most important natural resources.”

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

“Today’s announcement represents an important milestone in protecting Michigan’s natural resources, in this case one of our most valuable natural resources, the Great Lakes,” said Scott Bowen, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “I want to thank everyone involved in this effort at the state and national level and congratulate them for the years of effort that made this day possible. Our children and grandchildren will thank them, too.”

Invasive carp, particularly bighead carp, silver carp and black carp, could displace other Great Lakes fish species, leading to a decline in fish populations such as whitefish, bass and walleye. If invasive carp invade and establish themselves in the Great Lakes basin, inland rivers and lakes would also be at risk.

Silver carp have been known to leap through the air and have injured boaters in the Illinois River and other locations where they are found. In many cases, boaters can no longer enjoy waters infested with silver carp and fishing opportunities are severely limited.

Brandon Road Interbasin Lock and Dam Project

Michigan has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Great Lakes states since 2011. These efforts have resulted in the following milestones:

• 2014: The Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Separation Study identified several options for separating the two basins. Subsequently, the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, Illinois, was identified as the best site to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.
• 2018: The Brandon Road feasibility study was completed and Michigan allocated $8 million for the project.
• 2020: A planning, engineering and design agreement was signed between Illinois and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Michigan supported Illinois as a non-federal sponsor, contributing $8 million of the required $10.1 million in non-federal funds.
• 2022: The new cost for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project was estimated at $1.14 billion, requiring a 10% non-federal cost share.
• 2023: Appropriations in Michigan ($64 million) and Illinois ($50 million) meet the non-federal requirement to begin construction on the project.

Protecting the Great Lakes

Michigan is home to 21% of the world’s freshwater – the world’s largest freshwater system. Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has taken historic actions to protect the Great Lakes as a central part of Michigan’s tourism industry, economy, history and way of life.

The governor signed groundbreaking clean energy legislation to establish a 100% clean energy standard by 2040 and protect Michigan’s natural resources. Her MI Clean Water Plan included historic investments to protect the Great Lakes from pollution and help communities across the state make much-needed repairs to their water infrastructure systems. Under her leadership, Michigan enforced the nation’s strictest lead and copper regulations for drinking water and established health-based standards for PFAS in drinking water supplies.

Governor Whitmer was also named the next Chairman of the Board of Governors and Premiers of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region.

— Michigan Department of Natural Resources