Corps to host public meeting on prevention plans for aquatic nuisance species transfer between Mississippi River and Great Lakes

ALTON, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the White House Council on Environmental Quality are hosting a public meeting Jan. 30, 2014, from 4 - 7 p.m. to discuss the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) Report that was submitted to Congress Jan. 6, 2014, and to allow for public comment. The report presents a range of options and technologies available to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through aquatic connections.

Meeting info:
National Great Rivers Museum
#2 Locks and Dam Way
Alton, IL 62002

A presentation on the report will begin promptly at 4 and will be followed by an oral comment period. To view the report and details on the public meeting or to register to speak, visit http://glmris.anl.gov/glmris-report/. Comments will be accepted for the administrative record until March 3, 2014.

The report identifies eight potential alternatives - from continuing current efforts to complete separation of the watersheds - and evaluates the potential of these alternatives to control the inter-basin spread of 13 aquatic nuisance fish, algae, virus, crustaceans and plants in all life stages with high or medium risk for transfer. There are 10 ANS poised to transfer to the Mississippi River Basin from the Great Lakes Basin, such as ruffe. 

The options concentrate on the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). The CAWS is a complex, multi-use waterway and is the primary direct, continuous inter-basin connection between the Mississippi River Basin and Lake Michigan. Due to the complexities of the CAWS, mitigation measures are included in many of the alternatives to address the impacts of the ANS controls on waterway uses, users and residents. The CAWS is used for navigation; water supply and conveyance; flood risk management and recreation. 

The report provides a description of various evaluation criteria, such as estimated cost, mitigation and timeline information, that can be used by stakeholders to compare plans. However, this report is not a decision document and does not rank, rate or make a recommendation.

Media availability: There will be opportunity for media interviews 45 minutes prior to meeting start time, or at 3:15 p.m. Please coordinate with press contact prior.