GBA Flipping Book - Spring 2020

13 ≥ www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Spring 2020 GBA THANKS JUNCTION59 for their services supporting our eUpdate, website and our social media channels Marc Cooper 416.481.4861 junction59.com This publication designed and layout by 7 0 5 . 6 3 6 . 7 3 1 9 • www. j c l d e s i g n . c a Helping you to achieve your vision Subscribe to GBA eUPDATE email news updates by clicking the link at www.georgianbay.ca on the Des Plaines River, is being proposed as a compromise to a complete separation of Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River watershed via the Des Plaines River. Once constructed, this project would prevent invasive carp from entering through the lock and dam barrier in Illinois. In June 2019, the Chief Engineer of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) submitted a report to US Congress requesting authorization from Congress for the USACE to proceed with completing a final design phase of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. You can view this report here: https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/ Missions/Environmental-Protection-and-Restoration/GLMRIS-BrandonRoad/ . In November 2019, the state of Michigan approved an expenditure of $8 million covering preconstruction, engineering, and design costs. The total cost of the project is estimated to exceed $830 million and will include various deterrents, including an electrical barrier, air bubble curtains, and, as carp are sensitive to noise, an acoustic noise barrier to separate carp from other fish. The project now awaits the US Congress to direct the USACE to prepare final design drawings. This would be the next step prior to receiving funding approvals. In this respect, the non-partisan Great Lakes Task Force coalition of 41 members of Congress has recently written to USACE confirming their support for the necessary 2020 funding for this project. Once Congress provides approval and final funding obtained, the project will be a vital step towards keeping Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. It is important to remember that it took decades to recognize the havoc that sea lampreys brought to the Great Lakes, but the spread of this invasive parasite was finally brought under control once the US and Canada combined their efforts. A similar bipartisan effort and commitment to funding should also work to thwart the possibility of invasive Asian carp entering the Great Lakes. GBA UPDATE is printed by Warren’s Waterless Printing, Canada’s leading environmental printer, using high-quality waterless print technology on Enviro 100% recycled paper. The waterless printing process eliminates the use of fresh water and greatly reduces the use of harmful chemical compounds. Distributed under Canada Publication Mail Sales Agreement # 40038178 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: GBA c/o SHANNON FARQUHARSON, Communications & Executive Services Coordinator 138Hopedale Avenue, Toronto ON M4K 3M7 (416) 937-4990 • sfarquharson@georgianbay.ca Patrons of GBA: The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. John Ralston Saul, C.C. The Georgian Bay Association is an advocacy umbrella group representing 19 community associations and their members – approximately 3,000 families comprising over 18,000 residents. GBA UPDATE is published by the Georgian Bay Association 2020 Publication Schedule Issue Distribution Date Spring February Summer May Fall October GBA Mission Statement: To work with our water-based communities and other stakeholders to ensure the careful stewardship of the greater Georgian Bay environment. GBA UPDATE is mailed to all members of all GBA member associations, friends, other stakeholders and interest groups. Bulk copies can be made available to full member associations to include with their mailings. Material may be reprinted in GBA member association newsletters provided that the source is acknowledged. Letters to the editor are welcome. Please send address corrections and changes to the address below. Your Voice on the Bay President: John Carson , email: johnwcarson@sympatico.ca Executive Director: Rupert Kindersley , email: rkindersley@georgianbay.ca Editor: Rolfe Jones , email: rolfescottjones@gmail.com Deputy Editor: Liz Phillips , email: lizannephillips@gmail.com Advertising: Marc Cooper , email: mcooper@junction59.com Webmaster: Eric Armour , email: e.s.armour@gmail.com GBA website: www.georgianbay.ca Facebook: www.facebook.com/GBayAssociation