Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp

President Donald Trump has issued a memorandum directing federal agencies to accelerate efforts to protect the Great Lakes from the threat of invasive Asian carp, which jeopardize local ecosystems and the regional economy. The initiative emphasizes the importance of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project in Illinois, a key infrastructure effort designed to prevent these carp from entering the Great Lakes. The federal government has committed $274 million to the project, but progress hinges on Illinois acquiring necessary land and granting permits, prompting Trump's administration to urge state cooperation to meet a July 1, 2025, deadline. This action underscores a pressing environmental challenge with significant economic implications, highlighting potential legal and political tensions between state and federal responsibilities.