Bill would separate Mississippi, Great Lakes watersheds

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., introduced the Defending Against Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2014 as a solution to stop the spread of Asian carp to the Great Lakes. The bill authorizes the secretary of the Army to completely separate the hydrologic connection between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan, preventing the invasive species from invading the Great Lakes. If enacted, the legislation would require the secretary to start designing the project within 180 days in consultation with important stakeholders including the governors of the surrounding states and the Great Lakes Commission. Once completed, the secretary would have another 180 days to start construction. The bill, H.R. 4001, has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.