We’ve all been hearing the dire news about Asian carp. These invasive fish are at the Great Lakes’ back door, just miles from Lake Michigan. Not only are they threatening the delicate ecological balance of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, they are a major threat to our regional boating and tourism industry. But, to those of us hundreds of miles downstream, action to keep the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, and ultimately the St. Lawrence River, seems to be proceeding at a glacial pace.

Save The River has been in touch with regional environmental partners, government agencies, and elected officials to figure out what’s going on with this critical River issue. Here’s what we’ve learned….

Few Quick Solutions Available

Frustratingly, few complete solutions are available to stop the carp quickly. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to operate an electric barrier fence in waterways near Chicago separating the Mississippi River from Lake Michigan. However, questions about the effectiveness of the barrier have been raised and the Corps refuses to release data that would provide more information on the barrier’s ability to keep out the carp. [Update: Thanks to great work by our friends at NRDC, the Corps has just been forced to release this data.]

Immediate closure of the navigation locks in Chicago has also been proposed as an immediate solution. However, lock closure would only block three of five connecting waterways and, as a result, would not be fully effective in keeping the carp out of Lake Michigan.

The only permanent solution to keeping the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River is restoring hydrologic separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi basins. Over the past two centuries, canals have been constructed to connect the two basins that were never naturally connected. This connection has not only sped up the transfer of invasive species between the two basins but has also increased water loss from the Great Lakes.

Unfortunately, the City of Chicago’s aging sewer and water infrastructure was engineered to utilize these man-made connections, as a part of a centuries old effort to keep sewage away from the city’s drinking water intakes in Lake Michigan. Add to the equation a barge industry that is vociferously opposed to closing the connection between the Mississippi and the Great Lakes and the full picture of what is needed to reach the goal of complete hydrologic separation becomes clear.

What You Can Do

Tell the Corps to Speed Up Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently studying hydrologic separation solutions through the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin Interbasin Feasibility Study (GLMRIS). Despite its bureaucratic name, this study is critical because it will determine if implement permanent solutions to stop the Asian carp are implemented.

Unfortunately, the study is moving at a snails pace and the study goals have been diluted. The Corps is collecting public comments through March 31. Comments can be submitted via the study website: glmris.anl.gov. Comments are needed from citizens to help carry two critical points. Learn more about the study and find talking points for comments in our action alert.

Contact Your Representatives in Washington

Legislation has been submitted in Congress that will force the Corps to speed up their study and improve the focus. Contact your elected officials in Washington and urge them to support this important bill. (Not sure how to contact your Members of Congress? Check out this handy website.)

Keep Up to Date

To stay up to date with further developments on this critical issue,  sign up for our e-news or connect with Save The River on Facebook and Twitter .

It’s not too late! You still have time to write the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to call on them to stop the Asian carp. The deadline to comment is this Thursday, March 31.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are collecting public comments through March 31st on their Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin Interbasin Feasibility Study (GLMRIS). Despite its bureaucratic name, this study is critical because its focus will determine if we implement permanent solutions to stop the Asian carp!

Many thanks to those of you who have already submitted comments on this important issue! If you haven’t had a chance to write the Corps yet, read on for more information on how to comment and talking points for your letter.

Background

Asian carp, an invasive fish species that could devastate the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes, are at our back door just miles from Lake Michigan.

These fish are voracious filter feeders. The bighead carp can consume 40 per cent of its body weight each day, while the silver carp’s tendency to jump out of the water when startled makes them a hazard to boaters. They would cause irreversible harm to the Great Lakes by consuming large quantities of algae and zooplankton, outcompeting native fish populations. The estimated impact to the recreational and commercial Great Lakes fisheries would reach to over $4.5 billion. (For more information about the Asian carp issue, read our blog post.)

Top Two Reasons Why You Should Comment!

1 – The Corps was mandated to study ways to prevent invasive species movement between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Unfortunately, the Corps has decided to spend precious time and resources to also study ways to “reduce the risk,” not just prevent. This was not authorized by Congress nor is it a credible strategy that will protect our Great Lakes. We need you to tell them this is unacceptable and only options that will prevent invasive species movement and stop the Asian carp should be studied.

2 – The Corps study takes too long. The Chicago portion of the study is not predicted to be complete until mid-2015, or nearly five years from now. The Corps must acknowledge the urgency of finding a permanent solution, condense the timeline and produce final results for the Chicago portion of GLMRIS within 18 months rather than mid-2015 and we need you to send that message.

Concerned citizens may submit comments via the study website here: http://glmris.anl.gov/involve/comments/index.cfm no later than March 31, 2011.

For More Information

More information on the study may be found on the official GLMRIS website.

Helpful talking points for preparing to speak at hearings or to submit comments can be downloadeded from this helpful fact sheet prepared by Fresh Water Future.

More information on the Asian Carp issue can be found on the Great Lakes United Asian Carp page.

Thank you for speaking out on this critical River issue!

Save The River and the Thousand Islands Land Trust are looking for volunteers to help with our annual Common Tern exclusion grid installation on Tuesday, April 12th. Volunteers will meet at the Land Trust offices in Clayton at 9 a.m. to gather equipment and catch the boat to the project location.

Since 2003, Save The River and TILT have teamed up to install an exclusion grid on both the Eagle Wing Shoal and Tidd Island. The grid helps protect these New York State threatened species from harassment and predation from other water birds such as gulls. The grid also helps to preserve nesting habitat for this species that is constantly competing for nesting space amongst gulls and Double-Crested Cormorants.

This annual effort, along with careful monitoring of nesting birds by Save The River’s volunteers, is all part of Save The River and TILT’s joint Common Tern Monitoring Program. The program originated in the late nineties and works to monitor nesting Common Terns annually to assess the population. Additionally, volunteers participate in habitat restoration initiatives such as grid installation, placing nest boxes and chick shelters on nesting sites and adding gravel to areas to make suitable and safe nesting habitat for terns. All of these efforts have helped to increase tern populations over the last 3 years.

To read more about Save The River’s Common Tern Monitoring Program visit our Terns page.

Help us help terns! To RSVP to help with the grid installation call the Save The River office, 315-686-2010 or e-mail Save The River Program Manager, Sarah Walsh.

Volunteer John Johnson assists with grid installation.

Save The River and the Thousand Islands Land Trust are looking for volunteers to assist with painting Common Tern decoys for the Common Tern Monitoring Program on Friday, April 1st at 9 a.m. at the Land Trust offices in Clayton. The decoys will be used during the upcoming nesting season to help attract Common Terns to nesting grounds.

All materials will be provided. Interested volunteers should RSVP as decoys are limited. To RSVP call the Save The River office, 315-686-2010 or e-mail Sarah Walsh.

Decoys await a coat of paint.

Below is a commentary, written by Save The River’s Executive Director, reflecting on the opening of the 52nd Seaway season.

March 22, 2011

Today marks the beginning of another season of shipping on the St. Lawrence Seaway. We’re relieved that there is little ice on the main channel, removing the need for icebreaking to open the River for ship passage. Unfortunately, the navigation buoys sit on the River’s shore and many of the boat launches, which are critical staging areas in the event of a shipping accident or spill, remain closed with plenty of ice.

This year’s Seaway opening coincides with World Water Day, which serves as an annual global celebration of water and a day of action focused protecting our precious water resources. Ironically at the same time, the Seaway agencies and shipping industry are promoting a new ‘green’ public image. The U.S. Seaway agency’s annual report just arrived in our office last week and in it, the Seaway calls itself one of the most “environmentally responsible marine transportation systems in the world.” That’s a pretty big statement and we feel it deserves some scrutiny.

The Seaway agencies and shipping industry have systematically put themselves on the wrong side of environmental policy debates. For nearly 20 years, since the introduction of the zebra mussel, they resisted any rules to clean up ship ballast tanks to prevent further invasive species introductions. Three years ago, the Seaway finally established its own rules but they are the minimum protections available. And today, as state governments and citizens call for better protections against invasive species introductions, representatives from the shipping industry and the Seaway are walking the halls of Washington, Ottawa, Albany, and the courts arguing vigorously against stronger ballast clean up rules.

And, it doesn’t end with ballast. Shippers and the Seaway are on record opposing the environmentally beneficial water levels plan (Plan B+) that our communities have been supporting for years. They’ve fought for (and unfortunately won) exemptions from federal rules to clean up ship smokestack emissions, making some of the Great Lakes ships among the dirtiest air polluters in the industry. And, the Seaway has unilaterally extended the shipping season on the St. Lawrence River, with no input from River communities, state or federal environmental and safety agencies, or elected officials. These are not the actions of an “environmentally responsible” agency.

If the Seaway wants to be “environmentally responsible” and be seen as a good neighbor by those of us who rely on the River for our livelihood and our way of life, they must begin a good faith effort to work proactively to protect the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes. For a few ideas, we suggest they start with the recommendations outlined by more than 50 environmental and conservation groups in the report “A Better Seaway”, which lays out a specific action plan to reach a truly sustainable and responsible marine transportation system. (Visit www.abetterseaway.org to learn more.)

Promoting a greener image is one thing, but without actions to back it up we have nothing but words from the Seaway, and no one to protect our River but ourselves.

- Jennifer J. Caddick, Save The River Executive Director & Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper

Great Lakes United * National Wildlife Federation * Save The River

As Seaway Opens, Groups Call for Strong Coordinated Action to Stop Invasive Species

Buffalo, N.Y. (MARCH 21) —In what is turning out to be a pivotal year in the battle to protect the Great Lakes and other waters from the onslaught of invasive species, conservation organizations are calling for strong, coordinated action by the U.S. and Canadian governments to stop ships from dumping ballast water filled with harmful biological pollution.

The call for action comes as the St. Lawrence Seaway prepares to open tomorrow for its 52nd season amidst the myriad of pending state and federal ballast water regulations aimed at protecting U.S. and Canadian waters from species like the zebra mussel and round goby—unwanted invaders that cost Great Lakes citizens, businesses and cities more than $200 million per year in damages and control costs.

“For years, the Seaway opening has been a huge sign advertising the Great Lakes are open for the next invasion,” said Jennifer Nalbone, director of navigation and invasive species for Great Lakes United. “The Great Lakes are home to a multi-billion dollar fishery and source of drinking water for tens of millions of people. They require the highest protections possible, not the most convenient.”

This year could be a turning point in the fight against invasive species. After over 20 years of virtual inaction, the U.S. and Canadian governments are setting the stage to finally confront the ongoing problem of invasive species so that shared waters can be protected from biological pollution. However challenges remain regarding harmonizing regulations on shared waterways.

The groups are urging the U.S. and Canada and the region’s states to move quickly to coordinate and implement the highest protective standards proposed in the region, across the region, to mandate that ships do not dump harmful invaders into bi-national waters.

After years of inadequate action by the two federal governments, momentum is building to shut the door on aquatic invasive species—due largely to the efforts of state public officials who have passed ballast requirements and established numeric ballast water discharge standards, as well as advocacy groups, which have filed lawsuits to protect water quality. A recent court settlement requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to define a numeric ballast water discharge standard by 2012. In addition, the federal government of Canada has ratified the International Maritime Organization’s Ballast Water Management Convention—considered minimally protective of water quality—and is planning to incorporate the IMO’s numeric standard in the Canada Shipping Act. The U.S. Coast Guard will be finalizing a rule to establish a ballast water discharge standard this spring, proposed in 2009 to be the IMO standard, and strengthened as treatment technology advances.

”The stage is now set for the U. S. and Canada to stand and deliver,” said Marc Smith, senior policy manager with National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office. “The question is, ‘Will they?’ We encourage public officials to take strong action to protect the Great Lakes and other waters from aquatic invasive species.”

The shipping industry has unsuccessfully challenged in court state regulations to stop invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. The industry has also lobbied Congress and the Administration for weaker standards for foreign vessels and loopholes that could delay implementation by lakers of the pending Coast Guard rule. The federal government of Canada is also lobbying Congress, the Administration, and state of New York to weaken proposed standards in New York.

The No. 1 way non-native species enter the Great Lakes is through ballast water discharge of foreign vessels. Lakers, vessels that never leave the Great Lakes, do not introduce new invasive species from overseas but can spread species from lake to lake. Currently the most stringent regulations being implemented by foreign vessels coming to the Great Lakes are two management practices: ballast water exchange, which has been required on approximately 10% of vessels entering the Great Lakes region since 1996, and flushing of empty tanks (for 90% of vessels entering the region termed “no ballast on board” or NOBOB), which was imposed by Canada in 2006 and the St. Lawrence Seaway in 2008. Ballast water exchange and NOBOB flushing are beneficial and have reduced the risk of new invasive species establishment by purging organisms in the open ocean or shocking freshwater organisms with high salinity water. But a 2007 study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association states that both salinity shock and volumetric ballast exchange are “imperfect and subject to widely variable efficacy depending on taxa” and that the risk of new establishment of invasive species remains.

“It’s frustrating to see the start of another shipping season on the St. Lawrence Seaway knowing that still more needs to be done to clean up ship ballast tanks,” said Jennifer Caddick, Executive Director for Save The River. “The Seaway agencies and shipping industry have been painting themselves green. Unfortunately, the reality is that they have fought regulations that are protective of our Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River waters, such as New York’s strong rules to clean up ship ballast tanks, at every step of the way. Rather than fighting regulations, I wonder how far we could be today if that energy was instead spent advancing ballast treatment technology.”

For more information:

NOAA’s “Assessment of Transoceanic NOBOB Vessels and Low-Salinity Ballast Water as Vectors for Non-indigenous Species Introductions to the Great Lakes” can be found here: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/projects/nobob/products/

Contacts:

Jennifer Nalbone, Great Lakes United: 716-983-3831; jen@glu.org

Marc Smith, National Wildlife Federation: 734-887-7116; msmith@nwf.org

Jennifer Caddick, Save The River: 315-686-2010; jennifer@savetheriver.org