I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 51 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 6, 2009 Mr. Kirk introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a study of the feasibility of a variety of approaches to eradicating Asian carp from the Great Lakes and their tributary and connecting waters.

1.

Short Title

This Act may be cited as the Eradicating Asian Carp in the Great Lakes Study Act of 2009.

2.

Asian Carp Eradication Study and Report

(a)

In general

The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall conduct a study to— (1)identify methods to eradicate Asian carp from the Illinois Waterway System, including methods for harvesting Asian carp; and (2)evaluate the feasibility and costs of each such method. (b)

Consultation

The Director shall conduct the study under subsection (a) in consultation with— (1)the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and (2)at least two interstate bodies representing the Mississippi River and Great Lakes States. (c)

Contents

The study shall include, at a minimum, an evaluation of the feasibility of temporarily harvesting Asian carp as a method for eradicating the carp from the Illinois River. Such evaluation shall include evaluations of— (1)species biomass and distribution for all fish species in the Illinois River, including a comparison with historical biomass and distribution data if such data is available; (2)possible harvesting methods for Asian carp; (3)possible products that could be generated from Asian carp; (4)available types of temporary processing locations for harvested Asian carp; (5)the environmental effects of constructing and operating temporary processing facilities at such locations; (6)methods to repopulate the Illinois River ecosystem with native species; and (7)the effect of Asian carp on the Illinois River ecosystem if temporary harvesting of Asian Carp is not conducted. (d)

Report

(1)

In general

The Director, in consultation with the Administrator, shall submit to Congress a report containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the study under subsection (a). (2)

Contents

The report shall include recommendations concerning— (A)regulatory and other mechanisms to ensure— (i)expeditious action to address the Asian carp problem; (ii)effective eradication of such carp; and (iii)that an appropriate deadline is set for the completion of harvesting of such carp; (B)preferred harvesting methods for Asian carp; (C)the ideal quantity and distribution of— (i)temporary processing locations for harvested Asian carp; and (ii)temporary buying stations for harvested Asian carp; and (D)methods to repopulate the Illinois River ecosystem with native species. (e)

Deadlines

The Director shall— (1)begin the study under subsection (a) not later than three months after the date of enactment of this Act; (2)complete the study not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act; and (3)submit the report under subsection (d) not later than three months after the date of completion of the study.