NEWS

from the Illinois Senate

State Senator Susan Garrett
Majority Caucus Whip, 29th Senate District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Susan Garrett (847) 433-2002

GARRETT CALLS FOR LONG-TERM APPROACH TO ASIAN CARP ISSUE

HIGHWOOD, Illinois – Concerned about the growing threat of Asian carp into the Great Lakes, Majority Caucus Whip and State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) has called a Senate Environment Committee public hearing to achieve a long-term approach to addressing the Asian carp in Illinois waterways.

Imported from the southern U.S. over twenty years ago, several species of Asian carp are considered invasive and could have a devastating impact on the Great Lakes ecosystem and fishery. The Asian Carp Rapid Response Workgroup initiated a 4-day action plan which included the introduction of Rotenone, a known fish toxicant into a 5.7 mile stretch of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC).  However, unanswered questions about the effectiveness of those methods remain.

"It's time to reassess what we've done and to see if we can come up with a more effective approach," Garrett said. "Everybody wants to see this problem solved. It's vital not just for Illinois, but the whole region."