The Trump administration has ceased work on a crucial project aimed at curbing the spread of invasive carp in the Great Lakes. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker labeled this action as a significant threat to both Illinois’ and the nation’s freshwater resources. His remarks followed his administration’s request to the federal government to overturn the July 24 stop-work order on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project in Joliet. This initiative has experienced numerous interruptions over the past year.
Governor Pritzker expressed strong concerns, stating, “It’s clear the Trump administration is attacking fresh water, clean water, drinking water for the Great Lakes and for the country.” The Brandon Road Lock and Dam project on the Des Plaines River emerged as a point of contention between Illinois and the federal government due to its potential repercussions for the region.
For decades, Illinois, Michigan, and the federal government have sought to prevent invasive species like silver and bighead carp from disrupting the existing ecosystems and industries surrounding the Great Lakes. A lack of trust between Pritzker and Trump has hindered the project’s progress.
The recent work stoppage reportedly came to Illinois’ attention through contractors on site rather than federal communication, as indicated by the governor’s office. The state’s Department of Natural Resources has reached out to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, requesting dialogue about the project. The Corps confirmed the stop-work order, stating that the project is under an administrative review. USACE spokesperson Gene Pawlik offered no further details.
President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the project with a memorandum last year, simultaneously attributing delays to Governor Pritzker. The U.S. Department of the Interior subsequently halted over $13.6 million in funding for this and other carp mitigation projects. The Pritzker administration contends these delays could jeopardize drinking water for millions and affect the regional economy.
Invasive carp, originally from China, were brought to the U.S. in the 1960s to manage vegetation in aquaculture settings. Flood events in the ’80s and ’90s allowed these carp to infiltrate the Mississippi River basin, leading to their spread northward towards the Great Lakes. The carp, notably silver and bighead species, lack natural predators in U.S. waters, allowing unchecked population growth. They reproduce rapidly and compete with native species for resources, threatening entire ecosystems. Their potential entry into the Great Lakes raises significant concerns.
The $1.15 billion Brandon Road mitigation project represents a long-standing collaboration among Illinois, Michigan, and federal bodies. The strategy involves deploying layered technologies at a critical point to prevent carp from advancing upstream. Current electrical barriers near Romeoville are unreliable. Governor Pritzker warned of the environmental and economic impact, emphasizing that, “If the Great Lakes water supply is contaminated by Asian carp, it will undermine clean water efforts and industries dependent on the lakes.”
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