Marc Miller Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 All, I wanted to provide you with some information DNR put out today with our partners on the rapid response team (asian carp): FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 13, 2009 Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to Close for Fish Barrier Maintenance Fish toxicant to be used to prevent Asian carp from moving past barrier toward Lake Michigan Asian Carp FAQ's here CHICAGO – A section of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) is planned to be closed to all traffic, weather permitting, beginning December 2 for a period of four to five days. During the first week of December, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning to perform scheduled maintenance on Barrier IIA, one of two electric barriers presently in operation on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal constructed to prevent the movement of the destructive Asian carp into Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes. Performing scheduled maintenance is required in order to maintain reliability of the structures and minimize the risk of unplanned outages due to inadequate maintenance. During the maintenance shutdown, Barrier I will remain active. However, because of late summer detection of Asian carp near the barrier system and concern that Barrier I may not be effective in deterring juvenile fish, a fish toxicant called rotenone will be applied to the canal between the barrier and the Lockport Lock and Dam. The application will allow for the removal of Asian carp and other fish to keep them from advancing past the barrier toward Lake Michigan. Illinois EPA water quality experts will be monitoring downstream of the application zone to ensure that the waters of the state are protected, and the chemicals do not move beyond the designated application area. “The barrier is currently the only protection against Asian carp for the Great Lakes and the maintenance shutdown may present an opportunity for the destructive fish to advance up the canal toward Lake Michigan,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Assistant Director John Rogner. During this process, the U.S. Coast Guard will be enforcing a safety zone and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) will be closed to all commercial and recreational vessel traffic between CSSC Mile Marker 291 and CSSC Mile Marker 298. The waterway is planned to be closed beginning December 2 and last for the duration of operations. “We understand the impact of this canal closure on commercial and recreational waterway users, but it is necessary to help protect lives, prevent long-term damage to the ecosystem, and facilitate the working group’s application of rotenone and its cleanup, ” said Rear Adm. Peter Neffenger, Commander of the Ninth U.S. Coast Guard District. “We will work closely with our partner agencies to reopen the waterway as soon as operations permit.” Asian carp have been detected using environmental DNA testing in the canal below the barrier, and there is consensus among federal, state, and local agencies along with other partners that actions must be taken to prevent these invasive species from reaching Lake Michigan while Barrier IIA is shut down. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), in coordination with the multi-agency Asian Carp Rapid Response Workgroup along with the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, will manage the application of rotenone in the CSSC. While the toxicant will eradicate Asian carp and other fish in the canal, rotenone does not present a risk to people or other wildlife when used properly. The application of rotenone is planned for December 3, and crews from the IDNR and other agencies will remove fish from the canal and dispose of them in a landfill. The fish habitat in the section of the canal scheduled for treatment is made up of mostly non-sport fish with the most common species being common carp, goldfish, and gizzard shad. Before the application of rotenone, an electro-fishing operation will be conducted to relocate as many sport fish as possible. Rotenone dissipates quickly on its own, but to accelerate that process a neutralizing agent known as potassium permanganate will be used following the application. The Asian Carp Rapid Response Workgroup and its partners are committed to implementing the rapid response plan and completing the electric barrier maintenance as quickly as possible to expedite the reopening of the ship canal. “Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes is one of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest priorities,” said Cameron Davis, Senior Advisor to U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on the Great Lakes. “The plan announced today reflects a difficult, but critical team effort to protect the lakes against a destructive fish that could cause catastrophic damage to the Great Lakes ecosystem.” If Asian carp become established in the Great Lakes, they could cause a catastrophic decline in native fish species and severely damage the Great Lakes sport fishing industry, valued at $7 billion. The Asian Carp Rapid Response Workgroup includes the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Coast Guard, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Chicago Department of Environment, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Midwest Generation, Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, International Joint Commission, and Wisconsin Sea Grant. Fisheries management agencies from Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York are also providing support to the operation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Miller Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Anticipating some questions, and there was a link above that I would like to point out: http://dnr.state.il.us/pubaffairs/2009/November/faqs.pdf The question you might ask about low lying areas between Des Plaines and canal will have an answer in that document. The bypass areas need to be addressed, and the Corps is working on it. Thanks, MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Thanks for sharing this, Marc. Hopefully we'll see some active members respond to this latest development. It is perhaps one of the most important regional issues related to conservation in our lifetime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisserafin Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 But can't we just introduce a new exotic to take care of this problem? sorry, had to. I have seen alot of complaints/talk about these guys, but can we can non-DNR citizens do anything to help, beside the obvious? : - Don’t move live fish from one location to another. Illinois state law prohibits the transport of live Asian carp. - Never use wild-caught baitfish in waters other than where they came from. - Know the difference between juvenile Asian carp and Juvenile Gizzard Shad which look nearly identical. - Drain lake or river water from live wells and bilges before leaving any body of water. I see that these fish seem to have small mouths which may make them hard to hook up, but is there a way to specifically fish for these invasives? Like a 'Exotic Fish Culling Derby' to raise funds and awareness? Just a thought, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob g Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Probably only a few years until tourists will come from around the world just to walk the lakefront and see Chicago's jumping carp. I'm betting the harbors will be the best viewing. Bassbuggers get ready. Who will develop the first Asian carp fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kast Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 I used to use rotenone on my organic garden to deter pests, as it was the only pesticide that you could safely wash off and eat the vegetables immediately. I'm not sure how that will keep carp from entering the area though. I'm sure it will cloud up the water nicely, but what hazards will it bring to any sport fish that aren't removed from the electro-shocking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 just came upon this at chicagotribune.com Evidence of Asian carp found 7 miles from Lake Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob g Posted November 21, 2009 Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 just came upon this at chicagotribune.com Evidence of Asian carp found 7 miles from Lake Michigan I'm rescinding my previous estimate of a few years and going with next summer. Seriously I wonder what they eat and maybe the possibility of fly patterns. If I remember correctly they grow up to 100+ lbs and 5-6' long. There jumping ability seems to also be fairly remarkable. Looks like I might have to be in the market for a 10-12 weight. It'll almost be like tarpon in the lake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark O'Donnell Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 While efforts to thwart this nuisance fish from entering up throught the Sanitary & Ship Canal into Lake Michigan are all well and fine, I wonder about the Cal Sag Channel as well. Does this not also connect to Lake Michigan? Why no efforts here? Something very serious and drastic may be the only way to stop them. The only surefire approach appears cutting off the canals/channels from the lake, period. I wonder what the State is willing to do as a last resort before it is too late? Mark O'Donnell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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