In a significant development for environmental protection, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has put pen to paper on an agreement alongside Michigan and the federal government to initiate the construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. This strategic undertaking, aimed at halting the advance of invasive carp into Lake Michigan, is expected to carry a hefty $1.15 billion price tag. However, with 90% of the cost being shouldered by the federal government, Illinois and Michigan will cover the remaining expenses, with Illinois chipping in $50 million and Michigan $64 million.
Joined in their struggle against the ecological threat posed by invasive carp, officials of Illinois have finally signed off on the partnership agreement after a period of prolonged negotiation, according to a news release by Governor J.B. Pritzker. He said, "Protecting the Great Lakes has always been and will always be a priority for the State of Illinois and after many years of this project eluding multiple administrations, I am thrilled to see it move forward." Chicago Tribune reported. The project's necessity is underlined by the potential catastrophic impact on the Great Lakes ecosystems and multi-billion-dollar fishing and boating industries if action to prevent the carp's migration isn’t taken.
Key components of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project include a range of reinforcement mechanisms, such as an electric barrier, acoustic deterrents, an air bubble curtain, and a flushing lock system, which all work in concert to prevent the carp's entry into Lake Michigan. The Detroit News describes the project as "a souped-up lock and dam system" with advanced technology tailored to repel invasive species.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her satisfaction with the agreement, noting the immense importance of the Great Lakes to her state’s economy. In a display of unity and commitment that echo through time, she stated, "The Great Lakes are the beating heart of Michigan's economy, and Brandon Road will help us protect local communities and key industries, including fishing and boating, that support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs," as told to The Detroit News. The project is slated to span six to eight years until completion.
With the invasive carp species first making their unwanted appearance in the 1970s, this project symbolizes a long-overdue countermeasure against a problem that has seen the carp ascend throughout the Mississippi River Basin due to flooding events. "This is everything that we could do as a state to help prevent that," Tammy Newcomb, a special advisor to Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen, told The Detroit News reflective of years of effort put into the project planning.
