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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Releases Second Annual Water Resources Reform and Development Act Report to Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2016

Contact:
Katie Steiger-Meister
612-713-5317
katie_steiger-meister@fws.gov

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released to the public the second annual report to Congress on activities and expenditures to manage the threat of Asian carp in the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River basins. The report, developed pursuant to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA), provides a summary of detection, prevention, control and management actions conducted by federal and state agencies to address the threat of Asian carp within the two river basins from July 2014 through September 2015.

The report includes the following information:

  • An analysis of observed changes in the range of Asian carp populations,  including bighead, silver, black and grass carp species;
  • A summary of federal and state agency projects to control the spread of Asian carp;
  • A cross-cut accounting of federal and non-federal expenditures to control the spread of Asian carp; and
  • Research that could improve the ability to control the spread of Asian carp.

Building on results from the initial annual report that summarized efforts and expenditures for June 2012 through June 2014, the 2015 report will help inform future management actions by federal and state agencies. This year’s report includes an overview of new collaborative Asian carp management projects conducted by states in the Ohio River and Upper Mississippi River basins supported by new funds appropriated to the Service in FY2015.

WRRDA represents a significant milestone for Asian carp management outside of the Great Lakes. The legislation calls for increased coordination and collaboration between federal agencies working with state partners to prevent the expansion of Asian carp populations in the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins.

Access the Second Annual Water Resources Reform and Development Act Report