Guest Commentary

Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned

Derek Bailey in Native Condition. Discussion »

Great Lakes Basin Protection

The US Army Corps of Engineers requested public comment, this time setting a February 17th deadline for comments on 39 identified options for reducing the threat of invasive species, Asian carp, transferring between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes water basins.

However, in 2007 Congress mandated Army Corps of Engineers to "prevent" rather than "reduce the risk" of movement of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basis. Just two weeks ago the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative issued a joint report demonstrating that a permanent physical barrier in the South Branch of the Chicago River is a feasible method for stopping the migration of Asian carp into Lake Michigan, the remaining Great Lakes and their tributaries. Great Lakes Commission website

Interestingly, this recent study is consistent with the visioning project of the Natural Resources Defense Council and Jeanne Gang, the recent recipient of a MacArthur Foundation's so-called genius grant.

In short, continuing to study this matter is akin to fiddling while Rome burns. Other Members of Congress like Ohio's Marcy Kaptur must pay more than lip service to protecting the Great Lakes from the Asian carp invasion. It is clear that Congress must force the US Army Corps of Engineers to stop fiddling and take a stand. Otherwise, it will be too late.

The current litigation in Chicago federal court is not the answer, because courts cannot compel Congress and the States to expend the funds required to create the physical barrier between the basins. In the long run, it will be a sound investment, much less than the costs of doing nothing according to the studies cited above. But it takes a political will that is sorely missing today in our political leaders.

Protecting the Great Lakes basin is not a liberal-conservative, red state-blue state issue. The Great Lakes are our lifeblood. We must have the vision, the strength of character, and the political will to solve this problem instead of continuing to embrace the status quo. It's past time for merely studying the problem; the answer is apparent; it is time to act. We should not be afraid to commit the resources of this great nation for a sound long-term investment in our future.

Derek Bailey-Ottawa

Derek Bailey is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination in Michigan's 1st Congressional District. He is the tribal chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, based in Peshawbestown, Michigan. Bailey has been a strong advocate to protect the Great Lakes from the Asian Carp.

posted February 22, 2012 11:20 am est