Additional barriers not needed to stop Asian carp from reaching Great Lakes

A recent opinion piece sounds alarm bells about Asian carp advancing toward the Great Lakes. Let us set the record straight.

Asian carp, while present in the Illinois River, are not advancing toward the Great Lakes. In fact, for the past 27 years, the leading edge of Asian carp has not moved north past the Dresden Island Pool, which lies nearly 50 miles south of Lake Michigan. Further, commercial fishing has successfully cut the population of Asian carp in the area by 93 percent, making it one of the most effective and economic ways to control the Asian carp population.

Calls to construct additional physical barriers on the waterways would not only require Illinois taxpayers to foot the bill for unproven and costly technologies but would also push more cargo onto our roadways. Putting aside the fact that the waterways contribute $6.4 billion to the Illinois economy every year, moving commerce onto the roadways would result in more tractor trailers, adding to air pollution and highway congestion, all of which would create environmental and safety hazards across the region.

A coalition of industries ranging from steel, agriculture, manufacturing, chemical, energy, construction, labor, and maritime companies is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to find solutions. They all support proven technologies that keep the waterways open, ensure worker safety and prevent the advancement of invasive species.