LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing the United States Congress to
provide for the temporary closure of two locks in the Chicago Sanitary
and Ship Canal in order to prevent the migration of Asian carp into the
Great Lakes, and to appoint a special master to make recommendations on
more comprehensive measures to prevent this invasion

WHEREAS, The migration of Asian carp into the Great Lakes would have a
devastating effect on the waterways; and
WHEREAS, Many fear Asian carp will infiltrate the Great Lakes and wipe
out the other fish, delivering a devastating blow to the $7 billion-a-
year Great Lakes sport and commercial fishing industry; and
WHEREAS, These Asian carp can grow up to four feet long and 100 pounds
and are known to consume up to 40 percent of their body weight daily in
plankton, which could starve out smaller and less aggressive compet-
itors; and
WHEREAS, After escaping from Southern fish farms, these carp now swim
the entire length of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers; and
WHEREAS, There is an electrical barrier between the Mississippi River
and Lake Michigan that is designed to repel these fish from entering the
Great Lakes by delivering a non-lethal jolt, although recently, offi-
cials have found DNA from the Asian carp between the barrier and one of
the locks on the lake; and
WHEREAS, Once Asian carp invade Lake Michigan, scientists believe that
it will be impossible to stop these fish from invading all of the Great
Lakes; and
WHEREAS, New York State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo has joined
Michigan and other Great Lakes states in a lawsuit to force preventive
measures against the Asian carp; and
WHEREAS, Since New York State borders both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie,
the invasion of the Asian carp will have a devastating effect on New
York State's fishing and recreation industries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States be and hereby is
respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to provide for the
temporary closure of two locks in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in
order to prevent the migration of Asian carp into the Great Lakes; this
temporary closure will give officials the necessary time needed to
investigate the situation, establish the problem, and determine a
solution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States also appoint a
special master to make recommendations on more comprehensive measures to
prevent this invasion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the President of the Senate of the United States, the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, and to each member of the Congress of
the United States from the State of New York.