State offers to sponsor Asian Carp project near Joliet

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner announced the state’s willingness to partner with the US Army Corps of Engineers to keep invasive Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois is the only state with the necessary rights-of-way, public water authority, and jurisdiction to serve as the sponsor and move forward to protect the great lakes. In 2007, Congress authorized the US Army Corps of Engineers to study Asian Carp and other Aquatic Invasive Species. In 2015, Congress identified Brandon Road Lock and Dam as the site for enhanced efforts to prevent the upstream transfer of the invasive fish. The project proposed last year would cost $300 million overall, with Illinois being responsible for $100 million plus $10 million annually to keep the mitigation of the Asian Carp program going.