[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 8, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H4560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ASIAN CARP
(Mr. WALBERG asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be part of a broad,
bipartisan coalition that is working to implement a strategy for the
restoration, protection, and sustainable use of the Great Lakes.
In addition to supporting a comprehensive bill that would help stop
sewage contamination, prevent invasive species introductions, and
restore wetlands in the Great Lakes, I am also supporting H.R. 553, the
Great Lakes Asian Carp Barrier Act.
Asian carp consume large amounts of food and compete with native fish
for habitat throughout the Great Lakes region. Our Great Lakes would
suffer irreparable harm if the Asian carp enters Lake Michigan.
With other aquatic invasive species already wreaking havoc on our
waters, the threat posed by Asian carp is not one Michiganders can
afford to overlook.
We must act now and construct barriers to protect native fish and
wildlife from these large, nonnative predatory fish. It is time for
Congress to invest in restoring the Great Lakes, and I urge my
colleagues to support this bill vital to maintaining these aquatic
treasures essential to both Michigan and the entire Nation.
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