Great Lakes senators call for meeting

Five senators from Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin are calling for a meeting to discuss repeated pauses of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project.

“We urge the Administration to ensure the Brandon Road Interbasin Project moves forward without further interruption”

Brandon Road barrier project

The Brandon Road Interbasin Project is a $1.15 billion barrier to keep invasive carp out of Lake Michigan.

Project delays

The Trump administration placed the project under administrative review, halting work for the second time in less than a year.

State contributions

Illinois and Michigan are contributing $50 million and $64 million respectively to the project.

Invasive carp threat

Silver carp have been found 80 miles downstream from Lake Michigan, the farthest north since 2010 monitoring began.

Economic risk

Lawmakers warn delays could increase the project's price tag and risk invasive carp reaching Lake Michigan.

Project timeline

The Brandon Road Interbasin Project was first presented in 2014, with Congress authorizing it six years later.

Project funding

Congress provided $225 million for initial construction, $47 million in 2023, and $28 million in 2026.

Senator Durbin's warning

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin says time is critical as invasive carp inch closer to Lake Michigan.

“Time is of the essence as these carp are inching closer to Lake Michigan”

Invasive carp impact

Invasive carp could upend the Great Lakes ecosystem and multibillion-dollar fishing industries.

Project status

Crews began work on the project last spring before it was paused just a couple months later.