Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called for immediate action after federal action halted work on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a bipartisan project to help protect the Great Lakes from invasive carp. Delays to the project threaten the drinking water supply for millions and put the $52 billion regional economy that supports over 1.5 million jobs at risk.
“Under my administration, Illinois has spearheaded this project to protect the entire Great Lakes region. Yet, the Trump Administration repeatedly throws up roadblocks and has now ordered work to stop altogether with no explanations,” says Governor JB Pritzker. “The Great Lakes provide drinking water to more than 40 million people and support a $52 billion regional economy. It’s time for the Trump Administration to uphold the federal government’s obligations, stop playing political games, and move this project forward.”
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting a meeting by the federal government to discuss how to move forward with the project. The letter explains that Illinois first learned of the stop-work order from contractors on site not from federal officials and that, despite repeated attempts by IDNR leadership to communicate with the federal government, the State did not receive a response until after the work stoppage had already been authorized, a breakdown in communication that is inconsistent with the coordination procedures established under the jointly negotiated Project Management Plan that has guided the project.
To learn more, visit gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com.
PHOTO: T. LAWRENCE GLFC
