Public meeting to discuss the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the White House Council on Environmental Quality host public meeting.

 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the White House Council on Environmental Quality are hosting a public meeting in New Orleans and a webinar Jan. 31, 2014, from 4 - 7 p.m. to discuss the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) Report that was submitted to Congress Jan. 6, 2014, and to allow for public comment. The report presents a range of options and technologies- to include hydrologic separation- available to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through aquatic connections.

Go to

http://emsp.intellor.com/login/414432 up to 10 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

Web Access ID: lkjdf980732kj4h

After you have connected your computer, audio connection instructions will be presented.

A presentation on the report will begin promptly at 4 p.m and will be followed by an oral comment period. To view the report and details on the public meeting and webinar or to register to speak, visit

http://glmris.anl.gov/glmris-report/. Comments will be accepted for the administrative record until March 31, 2014.

"This report is unique because it identifies a range of options, allows for the incorporation of future technologies, and presents courses of action that may be implemented now to reduce short-term risk," said Corps Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Commander Brig. Gen. Margaret W. Burcham. "ANS prevention is a shared responsibility, and continued engagement will be an essential next step to try to identify and build consensus toward a collaborative path forward."

The report identifies eight potential alternatives - from continuing current efforts to complete separation of the watersheds - and evaluates the potential of these alternatives to control the inter-basin spread of 13 aquatic nuisance fish, algae, virus, crustaceans and plants in all life stages with high or medium risk for transfer. There are 10 species of concern poised to transfer from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, such as ruffe.

The options concentrate on the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). The CAWS is a complex, multi-use waterway and is the primary direct, continuous inter-basin connection between the Mississippi River Basin and Lake Michigan. The report provides a description of various evaluation criteria (like estimated cost, mitigation and timeline information) that can be used by stakeholders to compare plans. However, this report is not a decision document and does not rank, rate or make a recommendation.