Invasive species summit aims to halt Great Lakes-Mississippi River species exchange

Asian carp, zebra mussel and other species threaten the $5.4 billion Great Lakes fishing industry -- and interfere with waterway transportation, pollution control and flood control in the Midwest

WHAT: Experts on aquatic invasive species will meet with environmental engineers and fishing and river-carrier interests to come up with practical ways to prevent invasive species from moving between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. More than 60 people from the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom will participate in the summit. The summit will begin with presentations on invasive-species transfer, wastewater management, flood control, and navigation and shipping. Participants will devise a work plan for preventing further environmental degradation and impacts on marine-related industries in the two basins.

WHEN: May 14 and 15. Day 1: 8:15 � 5 pm (CST). Day 2: 8:00 am � 12:30 pm.
At 8:15 am on May 14, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley will address the summit.

WHO: Mayor Daley and Chicago�s Department of Environment, along with William F. Hartwig, regional director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, are convening the summit. Other sponsors and participants include the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources; the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council; the Consulate General of Canada; the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association; the International Joint Commission; and university researchers from the countries.

WHERE: Hyatt on Printer�s Row, 500 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago.

WHY:
Non-native species threaten native species. More than 160 non-native species now live in the Great Lakes drainage basin, and nearly the same number live in the Mississippi River drainage basin. These two basins are connected by the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Cal-Sag Channel (CSSC), which together constitute a �revolving door� for invasive species. The zebra mussel and round goby are among species that already have traveled from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. At least four more have the potential to move between the two basins, including the bighead carp and silver carp, which have traveled from the Mississippi River to the Illinois River and could soon enter the Great Lakes. They pose a significant threat to the $4.5 billion sport and commercial fishery industries in the Great Lakes. The zebra mussel alone now impacts 28 states and costs over $100 million annually in cleanup and maintenance.

An experimental electric barrier designed to repel fish has been operating in the Sanitary & Ship Canal for roughly a year. It does not prevent the exchange of all invasive species and life stages. For example, plankton and species in immature life stages can still cross the barrier. The barrier has a maximum service life of three years; a second barrier will be in place by fall 2004. But a better long-term solution is necessary.

MEALS: Media representatives planning to attend the entire day on the 14th are welcome to a complimentary lunch buffet. Advance notice is required. Contact Christine Esposito at 773-637-3939 or [email protected].