Senator Gary Peters Questions Army Corps Leaders on Soo Locks Funding and Invasive Carp

Soo Locks Funding and Economic Impact

• 📌 The Soo Locks are critical infrastructure, and an unscheduled six-month outage could result in 11 million jobs lost and a $1.1 trillion hit to the economy.
• 🚀 Senator Peters highlighted the recent inclusion of $264 million in the Army Corps work plan, which will allow for the award of all remaining construction contracts for a second Poe Lock.
• 🤝 Peters secured a bipartisan and bicameral letter advocating for Soo Locks funding, and is working to ensure the project receives full funding in the final bill.
• 🎯 The Army Corps leadership committed to keeping the Soo Locks project a priority and ensuring its completion.

Staffing and Operations for Soo Locks

• 🛠️ Senator Peters is seeking to establish a special salary rate table for Soo Locks operational and maintenance positions to attract and retain qualified workers.
• 💡 The reliability of the Soo Locks complex hinges on adequate staffing, and a revised pay model is needed to ensure fair compensation for workers.
• ✅ The Army Corps leadership committed to assisting in establishing the special salary rate to ensure adequate staffing.

Brandon Road Inter Basin Project and Invasive Carp

• ⚠️ Invasive bighead and silver carp pose an unprecedented risk to the Great Lakes, threatening a $7 billion fishing industry and $16 billion boating industry.
• 🌊 The Brandon Road project is presented as a critical solution to halt the spread of invasive carp before they reach the Great Lakes, complementing existing electric dispersal barriers.
• 🤝 The President and the governors of Michigan and Illinois are committed to the Brandon Road project, which has been years in the making.
• 🚧 The release of Contract 1A, the leading-edge bubbler, marks the start of fish deterrence measures for the Brandon Road project.
• 🔬 The Interior Department, through its Geological Survey and Fish and Wildlife Service, is also actively involved in supporting efforts against Asian Carp.