A current environmental issue in the Great Lakes region is the threat of Asian Carp invading the Great Lakes. Many environmentalists are very concerned about this threat and are seeking ways to prevent this from occurring. Asian carp are invasive fish from Southeast Asia that can cause harm the ecosystem, economy, property, and boaters. (National Wildlife Federation) They are filter-feeding fish and voracious eaters that consume plankton, algae, and other microscopic organisms which are the key sources of food in the food web for other species of big and small fish. These fish are harmful to the ecosystem and economy because they compete with native fish species for food and have no predators. They are also harmful to property and people as
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In 2014, the United States Congress passed the Water Resources & Reinvestment Development Act. (Stop Carp Coalition) This act provided two provisions that benefit the fight to stop Invasive Asian Carp. (Stop Carp Coalition) One potential solution to stop Asian Carp is the use of chemical treatments to kill or stop Asian Carp from reproducing. (Pickhartz, 2014) Physical barriers such as dams and fences are another proposed solution to the Asian Carp threat, but could mean that waterways would not be able to connect. (Pickhartz, 2014) Another proposed solution to stop Asian Carp is for scientists to introduce a genetically altered or bioengineered carp species into the waterways. This would gradually reduce the threat of Asian Carp by slowing their reproduction rate and lessening the amount of female Asian Carp. (Pickhartz, 2014) The problem with this solution is that it would be gradual and take time, while we need an immediate solution. There could also be a harvesting solution in which fisherman aim to catch Asian Carp, but this would be a very long process and not completely rid us of Asian Carp and their threat to the ecosystem. (Pickhartz, 2014) As of now, environmental scientists and engineers have found that the most effective way to keep Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes is hydrologic separation between the waterways of the Mississippi River Basin and the …show more content…
Although a disadvantage of hydrologic separation is that it can be costly, there are many more advantages to outweigh the costliness. Hydrologic separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin is the only permanent and sustainable method of preventing movement of Asian Carp between the two basins. (National Wildlife Federation) Another advantage of hydrologic separation is that if it is done correctly, it will involve smart investments that can establish new infrastructure in the Chicago area that can make the entire region more globally competitive. Hydrologic separation will also improve water quality and wildlife habitat because it will require upgrading the treatment of wastewater and storm water in the region. (National Wildlife Federation) So not only will hydrologic separation prevent Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes and harming its ecosystem, hydrologic separation can revitalize the Chicago waterway system, its economy, and its ecosystem by enhancing its transportation system, creating local and regional jobs, reducing business costs across the region, and improving water quality, tourism, and recreation. (National Wildlife
In 2014, the United States Congress passed the Water Resources & Reinvestment Development Act. (Stop Carp Coalition) This act provided two provisions that benefit the fight to stop Invasive Asian Carp. (Stop Carp Coalition) One potential solution to stop Asian Carp is the use of chemical treatments to kill or stop Asian Carp from reproducing. (Pickhartz, 2014) Physical barriers such as dams and fences are another proposed solution to the Asian Carp threat, but could mean that waterways would not be able to connect. (Pickhartz, 2014) Another proposed solution to stop Asian Carp is for scientists to introduce a genetically altered or bioengineered carp species into the waterways. This would gradually reduce the threat of Asian Carp by slowing their reproduction rate and lessening the amount of female Asian Carp. (Pickhartz, 2014) The problem with this solution is that it would be gradual and take time, while we need an immediate solution. There could also be a harvesting solution in which fisherman aim to catch Asian Carp, but this would be a very long process and not completely rid us of Asian Carp and their threat to the ecosystem. (Pickhartz, 2014) As of now, environmental scientists and engineers have found that the most effective way to keep Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes is hydrologic separation between the waterways of the Mississippi River Basin and the …show more content…
Although a disadvantage of hydrologic separation is that it can be costly, there are many more advantages to outweigh the costliness. Hydrologic separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin is the only permanent and sustainable method of preventing movement of Asian Carp between the two basins. (National Wildlife Federation) Another advantage of hydrologic separation is that if it is done correctly, it will involve smart investments that can establish new infrastructure in the Chicago area that can make the entire region more globally competitive. Hydrologic separation will also improve water quality and wildlife habitat because it will require upgrading the treatment of wastewater and storm water in the region. (National Wildlife Federation) So not only will hydrologic separation prevent Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes and harming its ecosystem, hydrologic separation can revitalize the Chicago waterway system, its economy, and its ecosystem by enhancing its transportation system, creating local and regional jobs, reducing business costs across the region, and improving water quality, tourism, and recreation. (National Wildlife