May 04, 2012

Newspapers Across Great Lakes States Agree: Portman's Plan Is Needed To Stop Asian Carp

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over the past week, a number of newspapers from Great Lakes states have come out in support of Senator Rob Portman’s (R-OH) bipartisan legislation to prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.  The Stop Invasive Species Act requires the speedy creation of an action plan to block Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes through a number of rivers and tributaries across the Great Lakes region.

The Columbus Dispatch, The Toledo Blade and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette have all cited the need for immediate action on this issue to protect the environmental and economic benefits of the Great Lakes and support Portman’s plan for doing just that. Some of the highlights include:

“Because the threat posed to the Great Lakes by invasive Asian carp has been beyond urgent for several years, the message of a newly-introduced bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate is welcome: Hurry up.,” Columbus Dispatch.

“The Corps now plans to offer options for keeping the big fish…out of the Great Lakes by the end of 2013, and to present a final proposal by 2015. That isn't soon enough, given the inroads carp already have made. (Portman’s) legislation would mandate a progress report from the Corps within three months of its enactment, and a final proposal for action within 18 months…,” Toledo Blade.

“…Asian carp continue their migration toward the Great Lakes. Fortunately, Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich, have a proposal that could help block a carp invasion,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.