Posted:
April 15, 2010
Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-IL) this week sent a letter and a petition signed by more than 500 people from more than 100 organizations to Army Corps of Engineers Col. Vincent Quarles, calling for an effective, sensible solution to prevent the Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes, while avoiding hasty reactions - such as closing Chicagoland locks - that would cripple businesses, cost jobs and threaten the Chicago metropolitan area.
"Every year, billions of dollars worth of goods are moved along Illinois waterways, including much of the region's oil, cement, iron, coal and agricultural goods," Rep. Halvorson wrote. "Delays in the transport of these goods will result in higher electricity, gasoline and road construction costs, as well as layoffs by companies dependent on waterway shipments. Even temporary closure or reduced operation of the locks will have a devastating impact on our region's economy.
"According to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, closing the Chicago and O'Brien locks also would place much of metro Chicago at great risk of flood damage and could threaten the city's water supply," Rep. Halvorson wrote.
"We must stop the carp, but not at the expense of Illinois businesses and Illinois jobs."
More information and the petition are available online.
Petition garners more than 500 signatures for a sensible solution to Asian Carp threat to the Great Lakes
Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-IL) this week sent a letter and a petition signed by more than 500 people from more than 100 organizations to Army Corps of Engineers Col. Vincent Quarles, calling for an effective, sensible solution to prevent the Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes, while avoiding hasty reactions - such as closing Chicagoland locks - that would cripple businesses, cost jobs and threaten the Chicago metropolitan area.
"Every year, billions of dollars worth of goods are moved along Illinois waterways, including much of the region's oil, cement, iron, coal and agricultural goods," Rep. Halvorson wrote. "Delays in the transport of these goods will result in higher electricity, gasoline and road construction costs, as well as layoffs by companies dependent on waterway shipments. Even temporary closure or reduced operation of the locks will have a devastating impact on our region's economy.
"According to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, closing the Chicago and O'Brien locks also would place much of metro Chicago at great risk of flood damage and could threaten the city's water supply," Rep. Halvorson wrote.
"We must stop the carp, but not at the expense of Illinois businesses and Illinois jobs."
More information and the petition are available online.