Trump admin moves Great Lakes Asian carp project from Illinois, Pritzker claims a ‘political stunt’

Summary

• The Trump administration is moving management of the Great Lakes Asian carp project from Illinois to Michigan.

• This is the latest in a series of squabbles between the administration and the state over the vital $1.15 billion project.

• The Trump admin called Illinois an “unreliable” partner, while Governor J.B. Pritzker called the move a “political stunt.”

CHICAGO – The Trump administration announced this week that it would mobilize management of a $1.15 billion project to prevent invasive Asian carp from moving out of the Great Lakes. illinois with MichiganWhich Governor J.B. Pritzker It was called a “political demonstration”.

what do they say

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday it is moving forward with building deterrents near Joliet to block the carp’s path but will move management of the project to Michigan.

Adam Telle, assistant secretary of the Army Corps of Works, said management would come from Michigan because Illinois “has been an unreliable partner and is behind on its payments and real estate commitments.”

“Our partners in the Great Lake States cannot allow one state to gain undue influence and use it to further gaming,” Telle said. “This is great news for every state in the region, including Illinois.”

other side

Pritzker denied the claim.

“Illinois has honored our commitments. Trump must stop this political stunt and begin releasing funds, reactivating the project and protecting the Great Lakes,” the governor said in a statement posted on social media. he said. “Illinois owns the land where the Brandon Road Project will be built; Trump can’t just decide to give it away. If he violates legally binding agreements, Illinois will take action.”

Background

The multi-year project aims to prevent Asian carp from being carried into Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes.

Carp can weigh more than 100 pounds, spread rapidly and harm native fish populations and the region’s $20 billion fishing and boating industry.

When Trump returned to the White House last year, his administration’s threats to cut federal funding spurred Pritzker into action. temporarily pause project. It was later revealed that both sides agreed to move forward with the project.

Decades ago, carp were used to reduce nuisance vegetation in southern parts of the country, but the fish began to proliferate and spread north via the Mississippi River.

Over the past two decades, the federal government has built electrical barriers along the Des Plaines River, including near suburbs. romeovilleto prevent carp from reaching Lake Michigan. Commercial fishermen were also used to catch carp to keep the population low.