Trump signs memo supporting effort to prevent spread of invasive carp in the Great Lakes
May 09, 2025 | 2:41 pm ET
Description
An aerial view of the Brandon Road lock and dam near Joliet, Illinois. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Updated at 6:36 p.m.
Movement on a project to block invasive carp from the Great Lakes is on the horizon after President Donald Trump signed a memo Friday afternoon directing his administration to “expeditiously implement” measures to prevent their migration and expansion into the region.
The memo, which was first reported by the Detroit News, offers its express support for the $1.15 billion Brandon Road Lock and Dam project, “provided that the State of Illinois does not stand in the way of its construction.”
In reaction to the signing, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement noting the project has been a priority for over 20 years.
“Today, Michigan scored another huge win that will protect our Great Lakes and secure our economy. After years of advocacy alongside our partners in Illinois and together with a wide range of stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels, we now have renewed assurances from the Administration to move forward expeditiously on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. I am grateful to the President for his commitment,” Whitmer said.
Last July, Whitmer announced the state would cosponsor the project alongside the United States Army Corps. of Engineers and the state of Illinois. The project targets a critical pinch point near Joliet, Ill., and would implement a series of complex deterrents against invasive carp and other nuisance species.
Whitmer pledged $64 million in support of the project, matching $50 million from Illinois and unlocking $274 million in federal funding for the effort.
While Michigan announced its first construction contract for the effort back in December, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a vocal Trump critic, has refused to move forward on the effort without a commitment from the president to supply the funds appropriated to the project, including $226 million allotted through President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan infrastructure law.
During a meeting with Whitmer and Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall in April, Trump pledged to protect Lake Michigan, and by extension all of the Great Lakes, from the invasive fish. However, Pritzker remained unswayed, despite pressure from members of Michigan’s Republican Congressional delegation.
Hall called the memorandum a “big, important victory for Michigan,” and thanked Trump for making it happen.
“President Trump has committed the federal government to this important project. Michigan is committed to this project. And now we just need Gov. Pritzker to show some of the same leadership, do his part and hold up his end of the deal so this gets done as soon as possible,” Hall said.
Members of the Republican-led Michigan House of Representatives advanced a bipartisan resolution on Wednesday, also calling on Pritzker to move forward with the project to prevent the carp from spreading into the Great Lakes.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources warns that if invasive carp move into the Great Lakes, they could outcompete native species and greatly harm the ecology and economy of the entire Great Lakes region including rivers and inland lakes, and its $20 billion fishing and boating industries.
The fish can grow up to 60 pounds and eat 40% of their body weight each day. A single female can produce one million eggs, with only 10 females and 10 males needed to establish a population in the Great Lakes.
This story was updated to reflect Trump had signed the memo and add comments from Gov. Whitmer and House Speaker Hall.
Lansing, MI