The U.S. Senate has approved the Natural Resources Management Act, which includes a provision calling for federal agencies to develop plans to reduce or eliminate invasive species populations, like Asian Carp that have had an adverse impact on tourism in the Lakes Region.
A news release from the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the legislation “also requires agencies to develop cost effective measures to combat the invasive species and ensures funding is directed to on-the-ground activities in impacted communities, like those surrounding Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake.”
Senator McConnell says, “Fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry in Kentucky, pumping an estimated $1.2 billion into the Western Kentucky economy alone. Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley are popular fishing areas that are being threatened by the existence and the spread of Asian Carp, and we must protect them.”
Lyon County Judge-Executive Wade White is among those happy to see the measure passed and says, “This legislation will require federal agencies to clearly lay out how they plan to reduce Asian Carp and to collaborate with other stakeholders in Western Kentucky. This bill also directs resources where they are needed most: to remove Asian Carp.”
The bill now heads to the U.S House for consideration.