Act NOW to protect the Great Lakes -- Stop the Asian carp

 As you read this, thousands of Asian carp are swimming toward our Great Lakes. The Illinois River is already infested, and this invasive species has been found in other rivers flowing into Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. Asian carp can reach up to 100 pounds each, and could radically alter our Great Lakes by destroying the food chain that sustains our native fish. They're ravenous eaters, consuming up to 40 percent of their own body weight each day. If they become established, our $7 billion fishing industry would be at risk along with many of the ways we enjoy our favorite lakes and rivers.

As of today, Asian carp have NOT made a home in our Great Lakes, which means we still have time to stop them. But we cannot wait any longer to act—there is too much at stake.  We must permanently separate the Great Lakes and Mississippi River waterways to prevent entry of these huge carp and other invasive species. 

If we fail to act now, the Great Lakes may never recover from this invasion.

Studies show current protection efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers will not keep smaller carp out.  This threat requires immediate solutions, while the Corps’ timeline and actions do not. One of the best ways to influence the Corps is through Congress, which authorizes and mandates its activities and funding. The Great Lakes are our responsibility.

You can be part of the solution by signing this petition and emailing your friends, family, and collleauges asking them to sign as well.

We will hand deliver this petition to Members of  Congress throughout summer and Fall to let them know of your support, and that we want immediate action to stop Asian carp. The more support we can show Congress, the greater our chances are to protect the Great Lakes. But we need your help to make it happen.

 
Thank you for helping to protect the Great Lakes!

Petition:

Dear Honorable Senators and Representatives:

I am asking you to direct the Army Corps of Engineers to immediately work toward separating the Mississippi River system from the Great Lakes to stop the Asian carp. If this species ever becomes established in our Great Lakes, our native fish populations could be devastated and our entire ecosystem of rivers and lakes may never recover. Studies show current protection efforts by the Army Corps of Engineer will not keep smaller carp out.  I believe this threat must be addressed immediately, while the Corps’ timeline and actions do not.

Sincerely yours,                                                              

Help stop the Asian carp and protect our Great Lakes