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Fact Sheet:

USACE Report Underscores Need for Alternative,Long-Term Solutions

Background:

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to conduct a study of a range of options or technologies forreducing the potential spread of Asian carp past existing electric barriers on theIllinois River. In order to provide timely and relevant information, USACE hasreleased three interim reports ahead of their final report.

The most recent report, Interim Report III, outlines a process through which USACEmay temporarily pursue intermittent lock closure in support of Asian carp controland research activities. The report does not outline a regular schedule for suchclosure, nor does it suggest closing the locks would decrease the likelihood of Asiancarp reaching the Great Lakes.

The Numbers:

Increased TransportationCosts Resulting from LockClosure:

$150 million annually

Direct Opportunity Costsfrom Temporary Closure: $54,000 daily

The Facts:

The USACE do not currently plan to engage in regularly scheduled lockclosures. Instead, USACE outlines a process by which intermittent lockclosures could be pursued to support additional control measures. Furtherinformation is needed however to justify such closures.

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y According to USACEs own estimates, costs spread across affected

entities could cost up to approximately $54,000 per day, taking intoaccount fixed costs, lost sales of fuel and lost wages.

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dispersal Barrier Efficacy Study, p. 68http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/pao/02June2010_InterimIII.pdf .)

y These costs do not account for the secondary economic impacts of temporary closure, such as plant shutdowns, lost wages for plantemployees, and reductions in spending or capital investment.

According to an expert panel convened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS), closing the locks located on the Chicago Area Waterways System(CAWS) does not reduce the risk of Asian carp establishing a sustainablepopulation in the Great Lakes.

y The Risk Assessment Panel formed in February of 2010 found that therisk of Asian carp establishing a sustainable population in the Great

Lakes was the same under all 6 modified lock operation proposalsbeing considered by USACE.

y The report states that, of the six alternatives presented by the Corps,there is no individual or combination of lock operation scenarios thatexperts believe will lower risk of Asian carps establishing self-sustaining populations in Lake Michigan to an acceptable level.

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dispersal Barrier Efficacy Study, p. 25http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/pao/02June2010_InterimIII.pdf .)

y This report confirms lock operations are not a solution to the problemand are diverting focus from more effective, alternative barriers.

USACE findings estimate the locks provide nearly $150 million dollarsannually in direct traffic and rate savings to commercial shippers,government vessel operators and the general public.

The Interim III report confirms that the USACE does not have authority toengage in extended lock closure under existing emergency powers.

The report confirms preliminary eDNA evidence is insufficient to indicate thepresence of Asian carp stating, USACE cannot conclude that water samplestesting positive for eDNA evidence confirms the presence of Asian carp. (U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, Dispersal Barrier Efficacy Study, p. 22http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/pao/02June2010_InterimIII.pdf .)

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The Next Steps:

The USACE interim report, in conjunction with the USFWS Risk Assessment Panel,demonstrates the need for alternative solutions to dealing with the spread of Asiancarp. For too long lock closure has distracted stakeholders from pursuing effectivealternatives that preserve waterway commerce.

The CAWS provides clear economic, public safety, and environmental benefits tothe communities it serves. Continued focus on hydrological separation isproblematic. Its time for politicians to stop grandstanding and focus on viable,long term solutions.