Bergman says invasive carp are a danger to Michigan
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ALPENA -- The Trump administration officially lifted the stop-work order on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project on Wednesday. This will allow construction to restart on the invasive carp barrier in Illinois, which officials say will prevent invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan.
United States Representative Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, sent The News a statement regarding the importance of the project and applauded the Trump administration on its commitment to protecting the Great Lakes.
"The Brandon Road project is too important to let bureaucratic delays stand in the way," Bergman said in a statement via text message. "Protecting the Great Lakes from the threat of invasive Asian carp means protecting our environment, our outdoor heritage, and the economy and way of life of millions of Americans. I'm pleased the administration has heard our concerns and is moving this critical project forward. President Trump understands the importance of the Great Lakes, and I appreciate his commitment to getting this done right."
On Wednesday, The News interviewed Bergman prior to the work order being lifted. He noted his frustration with the pause and the devastating effects invasive species would have on the Great Lakes.
On July 24, the Trump administration stopped work on the project and placed it under administrative review. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the project.
The timeline of the project has been mired with political debate and delays since the onset. First there was a pause in December for another administrative review. In April, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would put Michigan officials in charge of the $1.15 billion barrier, moving it from the Rock Island district to its Detroit District.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, JB Pritzker called the move a political stunt. Likewise, Illinois was alleged to be uncooperative in the project.
On Wednesday, Bergman said that he did not have a clear answer to why the project had been put on administrative review, again. He said it boils down to bureaucracy.
"The short answer is we have not been given a definitive answer for having another administrative review," Bergan said. "No reason has been given. We have asked for the reason, and at this point, it would be conjecture."
Bergman said that when government projects shift hands offices will want to review aspects of the project before moving forward.
"Sometimes when something like that happens, the gaining office ... will want to take a look at something before they continue," he said. "But in this case, in a very simple statement, the Asian carp really don’t care who’s responsible for the administrative review. They just look at it as another opportunity to literally swim their way into the Great Lakes. This is not the time for bureaucracies to stall things because the results could be devastating, would be devastating, if the carp are allowed to continue upstream in the Illinois River."
"This would be an environmental disaster," he added.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Bergman said that Michigan legislators were working with the Trump administration to move the project along.
"We’re working with President Trump in the administration and working within the Army Corps of Engineers to get to the bottom line here very quickly."
"Quite honestly, there’s probably not a whole lot of reason for review on the structure of the project side. It’s more bureaucratic administrative hoops that are probably not necessary," he added.
Bergman explained that the Great Lakes are a vital lifeline for Michigan in terms of economy and ecological support and deserve to be protected.
"There are no words strong enough to state how important a healthy Great Lakes are, especially (for) Michigan who has more Great Lakes shoreline than any other state" Bergman said. "But if we lose the quality of water and healthy species in any of the Great Lakes, it's a disaster of really uncalculable proportions. It’s not an option to let invasive species of any kind get into the Great Lakes."
Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.