© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gov. Snyder Trying To Kick Start Plan To Block Invasives From Great Lakes

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Governor Rick Snyder says a new shipping lock in Joliet, Illinois is needed to stop Asian carp from making their way from the Mississippi River system to the Great Lakes. 

Governor Snyder traveled to the Lake Michigan resort town of South Haven to make the announcement. He’s trying to create a coalition of US states and Canadian provinces to push the US Army Corps of Engineers to start the project. He says Wisconsin, Ohio, and Ontario are already on board.

Snyder says stop-gap measures like underwater electric fences won’t work forever. And he says a permanent solution will take almost a decade to complete.  

“If we don’t start today, how much longer would it even be? And how much are we at risk every day we are not doing something to make this happen?”

Snyder says the states can provide seed money, and ideas. But he says it’s still up to Congress to authorize the project and provide most of the funding. 

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
Related Content
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!