ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  The substantial investment of $64 million included in the Michigan appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 will help fortify the comprehensive efforts to prevent the entry and spread of invasive carp in the Great Lakes.

"This funding is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our elected officials in Michigan to help protect the Great Lakes fishery, our outdoor recreational opportunities and the economic vitality of the Great Lakes region," said Marc Smith, Great Lakes policy director for the National Wildlife Federation. "Without Michigan approving these funds, the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project will undoubtedly be delayed and the total project cost will increase while invasive carp are allowed to continue to swim ever closer to Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes. Many thanks to members of the Michigan House and Senate who understand the imminent threat posed by invasive carp.”

“Michigan is the Great Lakes State. We rely on the Great Lakes for everything from fish to drinking water to recreation," said Amy Trotter, chief executive officer of Michigan United Conservation Clubs. "Protecting the ecosystem from invasive carp was a priority for stakeholders across the state and, thankfully, a priority for Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders."

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has identified building additional structural measures at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Ill., as the most feasible way to prevent the upstream migration of invasive carp. Illinois and Michigan are responsible for the non-federal cost share for its construction.

The passage of the $64 million in the appropriations bill will help advance the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project without delay and prevent the non-federal cost share from increasing in the future. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released an updated cost estimate for the Brandon Road project to deter invasive carp from the Great Lakes. The total estimated cost of the project has increased by nearly 13 percent since 2019, rising to nearly $1.15 billion. Together with funds approved by the Illinois Legislature, the project will be able to proceed without delay and without further increasing the total cost.

Invasive carp have the potential to cause irreversible damage to the delicate balance of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Their rapid reproduction, voracious appetite, and ability to outcompete native species could lead to devastating consequences, including the collapse of commercial and recreational fisheries, decimation of native aquatic flora, and disruption of the fragile food chain that supports numerous species in the region.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is the NWF affiliate in Michigan. MUCC is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Founded in 1937, our mission is to unite citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan's natural resources and outdoor heritage. For more information visit mucc.org.