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President directs swift state and federal action to protect the Great Lakes from ecological and economic harm
Trump Administration Targets Invasive Carp With Hard Deadline for Illinois
President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential memorandum on May 9, 2025, directing immediate federal and state cooperation to accelerate construction of the Brandon Road project, a multi-layered barrier system designed to block the spread of invasive carp into the Great Lakes.
The directive sets a hard deadline of July 1, 2025, for the State of Illinois to acquire land necessary to begin construction near Joliet, where the project is slated to serve as the last major line of defense against invasive Asian carp species threatening Michigan and the surrounding region.
Citing years of federal investment and mounting ecological risk, the administration warned that recent delays by Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office now jeopardize a critical environmental initiative. Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, were ordered to streamline all remaining federal permits and approvals.
Brandon Road Project is Michigan’s Frontline Defense Against Carp Threat
The Brandon Road Interbasin Project, authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, is designed to stop carp migration from the Mississippi River system into Lake Michigan via the Upper Illinois Waterway. The $274 million effort combines electric barriers, water jets, and noise deterrents to prevent carp passage.
The project has broad implications for Michigan, whose waters support native fish such as walleye, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. These species are economically vital for both sport and commercial fishing, generating billions in revenue and supporting thousands of jobs.
Earlier this week, the Michigan House urged Governor Pritzker to expedite the Brandon Road Project to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, highlighting significant environmental and economic risks to Michigan’s $7 billion fishing and tourism industries.
President Trump’s directive places pressure on Illinois to complete land acquisition and permitting within 30 days of eligibility. Without it, federal officials argue that the region’s multi-billion-dollar fishing and recreation economy could face irreparable harm.
White House Links Environmental Threat to Economic Urgency
The Trump administration emphasized the scale of the threat. Asian carp, some weighing over 100 pounds, have advanced northward for decades, displacing native fish by dominating local ecosystems and reducing water quality.
If they breach the Brandon Road lock, it would open the door to the Great Lakes, the largest surface freshwater system in the world. According to the White House, the result could be “irreparable damage” to boating, fishing, and tourism, which together form a cornerstone of Michigan’s economy and cultural identity.
“The Federal Government has already invested $274 million in this project,” the White House stated. “But Illinois’ recent delays threaten this critical defense against an ecological and economic disaster.”
Federal Agencies Mobilized to Prioritize Infrastructure and Research
Under the order, the EPA will lead infrastructure work to remove carp already present in the Upper Illinois Waterway and support existing physical barriers.
The memorandum also tasks the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with prioritizing research and management of invasive aquatic species. Their role includes expanding data through the Great Lakes Aquatic Nuisance Species Information System and collaborating through the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.
These actions, according to the administration, are aimed at aligning federal resources behind a single coordinated goal: to ensure invasive carp never reach Michigan’s shoreline or the broader Great Lakes Basin.
Broader Environmental Policy Frame Highlights Political Contrast
While centered on carp prevention, the memo also includes references to other environmental positions held by President Trump. These include opposition to wind turbines, promotion of forest management to reduce wildfires, and support for sportsmen through improved access to natural lands.
Though not directly linked to the Brandon Road project, these remarks reinforce the administration’s ongoing emphasis on what it describes as “commonsense environmental stewardship.”
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