President Donald Trump recently issued a memorandum that reiterates the federal government’s commitment to keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes and asks states, particularly Illinois, to move ahead as well on projects.
The memorandum doesn’t promise new funding, but does say the federal government will make sure the project moves forward “through deadline-oriented investments of taxpayer dollars, to ensure the state of Illinois does not stand in the way of its construction.”
The statement asks that the state of Illinois, which paused work because of recent federal cuts, to resume property acquisition for construction at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a key choke point along the Des Plaines River near Joliet, the memorandum states.
“This threat affects every State that borders the Great Lakes: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Curbing this threat requires immediate and effective deployment of resources, infrastructure, and expertise. The Federal Government is prepared to do its part, but the States where preventative measures can be taken must cooperate,” the memorandum says.
Illinois officials had wanted assurances from the Trump administration that a $1.1 billion commitment to the project would be kept.
What to know about Asian carp and the threat to the Great Lakes:
What is the threat to the Great Lakes?
In the memo, Trump reiterated the main threats: “They also reduce water quality. These invasive carp are nearing the entry point to the Great Lakes, which, if breached, would irreparably damage native fish species like walleye, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. This poses a significant risk to Great Lakes fishing, boating, recreation, and tourism, which support tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of commerce annually.”
Officials are concerned that bighead and silver carp, if they reach the Great Lakes, will:
What will the Illinois project do to stop the fish?
The Brandon Road Interbasin Project near Joliet, Illinois, a joint project involving the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the states of Illinois and Michigan, was authorized for construction in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 and would provide multiple layers of technological deterrents designed to prevent carp from reaching the Great Lakes.
The federal government has provided $274 million for the project, which has undertaken design work, has started site preparation, and is ready to begin construction of deterrent measures. Property acquisition has been paused since February 2025 because Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker delayed efforts because of uncertainties over federal funding.
What are ‘Asian carp?’
There are several species of carp — collectively Asian carp — that have established themselves in American waterways: bighead, black, grass and silver carp.
Bighead carp
Native to eastern Asia, bighead carp were introduced in the southern United States in the 1970s to help aquaculture and wastewater treatment facilities to keep retention pods clean, and providing fresh fish for hymna consumption.
Bighead carp have a large head and large, toothless mouth with a protruding lower jaw. The carp’s eyes are forward and low on the head, projecting downward, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Their bodies are dark gray, and fade to white as you get closer to their underbelly.
They can grow up to 5 feet in length and commonly reach around 40 pounds. The bighead carp has a large, scaleless head and a toothless mouth.
Black Carp
Black carp, first introduced in the 1970s, were shipped to aquaculture farms to stop the spread of disease-carrying pests, like yellow grub and snails in aquaculture pods, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
In the 1990s, the black carp escaped into the Mississippi River drainage due to flooding events.
The carp vary in color, although they are mostly brown to black with a bluish-gray to white belly. Their scales are large and overlapping with dark edges giving them a cross-hatched appearance.
Black carp prefer deeper habitats of rivers and lakes as they need long stretches of river for successful spawning.
Grass Carp
Grass carp have been recorded in 45 states in the U.S.
Grass carp, according to the United States Geological Survey are a member of the minnow family as their body is compressed laterally and their mouth and eyes are low on their head.
These carp, native to eastern Asia, have an olive brown color with silver sides and a white belly.
It’s scales are large and dark and the fish can reach lengths of more than 5 feet and weigh more than 80 pounds, according to the Michigan Invasive Species Program.
Silver Carp
Silver carp, introduced to the U.S. in the 1970s to private fish farms and wastewater treatment facilities as a biological control agent to reduce algae growth and improve water-quality conditions, also are native to eastern Asia.
They are commonly known for jumping out of the water when startled by the noise of boat motors.
The plankton-eating carp have narrow deep bodies ad are toothless with upturned lower jaws. Their bodies are covered in small silver scales and their eyes sit far forward on their heads.
Silver carp can grow upwards of 3 feet long and reach around 20 pounds, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
What is the Lacey Act?
The Lacey Act prohibits the the importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase of any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service says.
Safety measure for boaters
According to the The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, to avoid injuries because of jumping carp, boaters should:
For more information on invasive species in Michigan visit the Michigan Invasive Species Program’s website.
Detroit Free Press contributed reporting.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump statement urges Asian carp efforts. What are Asian carp, why do they pose a risk?
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
