Veto Nixed on Soo Lock Bill, Carp Barrier

Great Lakes protection measures, including construction of a second large lock at the Soo Locks and the installation of an electric barrier to keep Asian carp from entering the lakes, have been authorized with the overriding of a Presidential veto. Following a veto by President George W. Bush, the Water Resources Development Act passed the House Tuesday, November 6, and the Senate Thursday, November 8, with vetoproof margins. The bill now becomes law. This bill authorizes projects, but funding for the projects still needs to be secured through the appropriations process.

The Water Resources Development Act authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out hundreds of hurricane and flood relief, ecosystem restoration, and navigation projects. The legislation also authorizes key Great Lakes programs, including construction of a second Poe-sized lock at Sault Ste. Marie at full federal expense, at a cost of $341 million. Two-thirds of the carrying capacity of the U.S. Great Lakes fleet is currently limited to the one large lock, the Poe lock. If the Poe lock should fail, shipping between Lake Superior and Lake Huron would essentially cease, severely harming the steel industry, coal reliant industries, and agricultural industries, according to Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow. This authorization, they said, is a critical step for ensuring the viability of the Great Lakes shipping infrastructure.

The measure directs the Army Corps to expedite dredging of Great Lakes commercial navigation channels and infrastructure. This provision aims to address the very serious dredging backlog in the Great Lakes, which has been exacerbated by historic low water levels, reported Sens. Levin and Stabenow. It also directs a pilot project to be conducted to prevent further spreading of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), a disease threatening fish populations in the Great Lakes.

The act authorizes installing an electric barrier to keep the nonnative Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, wreaking havoc for boaters and anglers, and threatening the region's $4.5 billion fishery.

This bill authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to complete a dispersal barrier system on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

The electric barrier on the canal is designed to repel the carp from entering Lake Michigan.

"In overriding President Bush's veto today, the Senate stood up for America's waterways and water infrastructure," said Senator Levin. "The strong bipartisan vote shows that we'll fight to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species, and we'll fight to help make our waters safe and clean. We'll fight to address the serious dredging backlog in our harbors and channels, which hurts many Michigan businesses that rely on these waterways every day. The Senate showed that we'll protect our residents from sewer overflows and we'll enhance the security of our dams to keep our communities safe."

"I am so pleased that working together, we were able to override this President's veto and pass this bipartisan legislation," said Senator Stabenow. "From protecting the Great Lakes from invasive species, to providing crucial maintenance for harbors across our state, this bill serves as a critical framework for protecting and maintaining the lakes, rivers, harbors, and other waterways that are such a crucial part of Michigan's identity and economy."

Due to their large size, ravenous appetite, and rapid rate of reproduction, Asian carp, an invasive species, pose a significant threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem by consuming large quantities of phytoplankton and competing with native fish for habitat. Asian carp can grow to an average of four feet and 60 pounds. In other waters, they have shown an affinity for becoming the dominant large fish species over more desirable native species or established fish. This invasive species, which has no natural predators, aggressively out-competes and eventually displaces native fish altogether.

In addition to the Asian carp barrier, the comprehensive water projects bill authorizes Great Lakes programs that support restoration of habitat and fishery, clean-up of toxic harbors, reduction of soil erosion and pollution and removal of dams to restore habitat.