U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Releases Aquatic Nuisance Species Controls Paper

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released for public comment the "Inventory of Available Controls for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) of Concern – Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS)," an interim product of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS).

The ANS Control Paper identifies available options or technologies that may be effective at preventing the transfer of the 39 ANS of concern, which were identified in the ANS White Paper released in July, from transferring through the aquatic pathways in the CAWS, as well as other potential aquatic pathways.

"It is important to note that the ANS Control Paper is intended to be an inventory of ANS controls that are available. It does not contain specific recommendations, rank the effectiveness of the ANS controls, or identify constraints, regulatory requirements or technological feasibility of application," said Gary O’Keefe, GLMRIS program manager. "Gathering the list of potential controls is just the first step. As we move through the planning process, we will put these potential controls through a thorough screening process."

Using the information contained in the paper, USACE will develop screening criteria consistent with study objectives and refine the list of ANS controls to determine which warrant further consideration. USACE will formulate plans comprised of one or more of the screened ANS controls in consideration of four criteria: completeness, effectiveness, efficiency and acceptability. USACE will then evaluate and compare the effects of the alternative plans.

To ensure the list of potential controls is as complete as possible, USACE is asking interested members of the public to review the list contained in the paper and provide information regarding ANS controls that may be effective but not included in the paper or comments regarding ANS controls listed in the paper. Comments will be accepted from Dec. 21, 2011, through Feb. 17, 2012 and may be submitted electronically through the GLMRIS website at www.glmris.anl.gov or mailed to GLMRIS ANS Control Comments, 111 N. Canal, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60606.

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers