Tel: Fax: CL , February 28, 2013 ICPC , February 20, 2013 Report ICP

Transcription

1

2

3

4

5 - é-1- N Office of the Regional Clerk *; Tii 2201 St. David s Road, P.O. Box 1042, Thorold ON L2V 4T7 Tel: Toll free: Fax: cierk@niagararegion.ca vvvvw.niagararegion.ca March 5, 2013 CL , February 28, 2013 ICPC , February 20, 2013 Report ICP Holly Town Dowd, Town Clerk of Niagara-on the Lake P.O. Box Creek Road Virgil, ON LOS 1T0 SENT ELECTRONICALLY Resolution on Asian Carp ICP Dear Ms. Dowd, Regional Council, at recommendations of its its meeting of February 28, 2013, approved the following Community Planning Committee: Integrated That Report ICP , February 20, 2013, respecting Resolution on Asian Carp, BE RECEIVED; and That Council ADOPT the following resolution on Asian carp to address the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative s concerns regarding the migration of the invasive species, Asian carp, into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem: Whereas the Great Lakes and surface fresh water in important to critically Lawrence represent the largest body of the world and are a vibrant, diverse ecosystem that is the economic well-being and quality of life of the Canadian and U.S. populations Whereas over 180 St. in the basin; invasive species have entered the ecosystem over the years and caused widespread damage and disruption to the natural balance of the system, as well as significant economic damage; Whereas one of the most serious threats ever presented by invasive species currently comes from Asian carp, including silver, bighead, and black varieties; Whereas these _ varieties of carp were introduced to the southern United States for use in fish farms for algae control in the 1970 s and escaped into the Mississippi River system as a result of floods and other means over the years; Building Community. Building Lives.

6 -2I Whereas the invasive carp have migrated northward through the Mississippi River system over the years Wisconsin and Minnesota, and Whereas the to a point where they are as far north as Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well; into Indiana, invasive carp have established dominant populations in many places in the river systems, reducing significantly or eliminating populations of the more desirable species of fish because of their voracious food consumption and prolific reproduction; Whereas the invasive carp are threatening to enter the Great Lakes at a number of points across the basin, but none appear to present as great a threat as the Illinois River and Chicago Area Waterway System; Whereas many and local government agencies in the United States and Canada have worked diligently and expended tens of millions of dollars over the past 10 years on a variety of projects to stop the migration of the invasive carp and keep them out of the Great Lakes; Whereas federal, state, provincial, 39 invasive species in the two basins that present a threat to cross over into the other basin in the near including the invasive carp, there are future; Whereas once an invasive species establishes an ecosystem, it is serious damage on the itself in difficult to eradicate it, and it often inflicts ecosystem and imposes major costs in the form of efforts to exceedingly control it; Whereas invasive species have already inflicted hundreds of millions in damage across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, and invasive carp pose a serious threat to the $7 billion sport and commercial fishery that support the economy and help define the culture of the entire region; Whereas Canadian and U.S. citizens across the basin have expressed serious concern about the invasive carp and other invasive species, and are demanding prompt action; I Whereas the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and Great Lakes Commission completed a report entitled "Restoring the Natural Divide" on January 31, 2012 that established the feasibility of physical separation of the two basins in the Chicago Area Waterway System that would also maintain or enhance water quality, flood control, and transportation in the System. Whereas that the invasive carp in the Mississippi River system pose one of the greatest threats to the integrity and well-being of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem, including the 40 live there; million Canadians and Americans who

7 _3_ Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that preventing the invasive carp from Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem needs to be approached with the greatest sense of urgency by all those responsible for entering the dealing with this matter; Be Further Resolved, that the Niagara Region encourages the U.S. Army all cooperating U.S. and Canadian agencies to continue operation of the electric barrier, intensive commercial fishing, and It Corps of Engineers and other methods to keep the invasive carp out of the Great Lakes while a long term solution is found and implemented. Be It Further Resolved, that additional work should be undertaken more details ofthe "Restoring the Natural Divide," report; Be It Finally Resolved, once a preferred option move fon/vard to implement the It was also requested this report is identified, all Yours truly, t Pilon is solution. be circulated to the Niagara Region s local enclosed. Regional Clerk znld cc: Robson, Commissioner, Integrated Community Planning M. L. Tanner, Associate Director, Regional Policy Planning K. Vaughan, Project Manager, Niagara Water Strategy P. S. McPetrie, Administrative Assistant, Integrated N. Smagata, Administrative Assistant J. Feren, Legal Services M. L. Macara, Legal Services develop parties should municipalities for information. A copy of Report ICP to Community Planning

8 ICP February 20, T - - -?- Page 1 of 6 Nlagafaw R gioi'\ REPORT TO: SUBJECT: Integrated Community Planning Committee Resolution on Asian Carp RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That this report BE RECEIVED for information. 2. That Council ADOPT the attached resolution on Asian carp (Appendix II) to address the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative s concerns regarding the migration of the invasive species, Asian carp, into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem. PURPOSE - The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the resolution on Asian carp that has been proposed by the Great Lakes St. Lawarence Citites Initiative and to propose a modified resolution forthe Niagara Region. This report aligns with the Council Business Plan Theme 1: Responsive Region and Theme 4: Environmentally Responsible. BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS There are no direct financial implications related to this report. REPORT Within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem, Asian carp has become one of the most serious threats ever presented by invasive species. Asian carp are a group of four species (Silver Carp, Bighead Carp, Grass Carp, and Black Carp) that arrived in the southern United States from Asia in the 1960s and 1970s. In the United States their populations have grown considerably and are spreading north towards the Great Lakes. Appendix I provides a map of the occurances of Bighead and Silver Carp in the United States and Canada. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has indicated that the likelihood of Asian carp entering Lake Erie is very likely and that it is high in Lake Ontario, and that the ecological consequences will be significant to our native aquatic species populations. According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, if Asian carp become established in Ontario waters, they could potentially eat the food supply that our native fish depend on and crowd them out of their habitat. In addition to the ecological consequences, the decline of native fish species could damage sport, tribal

9 ICP February 20, 2013 Page 2 of 6 and commercial fishing in Ontario, which brings millions of dollars a year into the province s economy. The Canadian and Ontario governments have been working with the United States to coordinate efforts to prevent the migration of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. At the Federal level, the United States Federal government committed $51.5 million in 2012, and the Canadian Federal government has committed $17.5 million over the next five years. While there is a lot of research being carried out within Canada and the United States, there does not appear to be a definitive answer for what the best option for prevention is. In a report produced by the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI), "Restoring the Natural Divide", they have proposed that physical separation is the most effective way to keep invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan, the most likely route for arrival into the Great Lakes, and that such barriers will also prevent the movement of many other invasive species from one basin to the other. Three different options for physical separation were discussed, but no conclusions were made as to which options was the best. The GLSLCI is requesting that members ask their councils to pass a resolution that supports the development of a physical separation in order to prevent Asian carp and other non native species from entering the Great Lakes. The GLSLCI has prepared a model resolution for members, which may be adapted to suit the interests of each of its members. Appendix II of this report provides a modified resolution for Council s consideration. The modifications reflect the geographic and political contexts of the Niagara Region. Additionally, the modifications reflect our support for the prevention of Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, but our limited knowledge of what the best options for prevention are. The proposed resolutions are aligned with the findings from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canda and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resoruces. V REPORTS PERTINENT TO THIS MATTER N/A Sub ' by: Approved by: Patrick Robson Commissioner Integrated Community Planning I Mike Trojan Chief Administrative fficer This report was prepared by Katelyn Vaughan, Project Managen Niagara Water Strategy and reviewed by Mary Lou Tannen MCIP, RPP, Associate Directon Regional Policy Planning.

10 REFERENCES ICP February 20, 2013 Page 3 of 6 Cudmore, B., N.E. Mandrak, J. Dettmers, D.C. Chapman, and C.S. Kolar (2012). Binational Ecological Risk Assessment of Bigheaded Carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) for the Great Lakes Basin. DFO Can. Sci Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2011/114. Vi + 57 p. Available at: socs/publications/sar- AS/2011/ eng.pdf Great Lakes Commission and Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (2012). Restoring the Natural Divide: Separating the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins in the Chicago Area Waterway System. Available at: mediumrespdf. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (2012). Ontario and U.S. Work Together to Control Asian Carp. Available at: work-together to contro -asian carp.html Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (2012). Protecting Ontario s Fisheries: Thinking About Tougher Measures to Prevent an Asian Carp Invasion. Available at: ents/document/stdprod pdf The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (2012). FY 2012 Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework. Available at: APPENDICES Appendix I Appendix I: Non-native Occurances of Asian Carp Page 4 Appendix II Resolution on Asian Carp: Keeping Asian Carp Page 5 Out of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence

11 V V v_ V V V r V February 20, 2013 Appendix I Page 4 of 6 Appendix I: Non-native Occurances of Asian Carp». 2 xuizéxc "` s af JR S2 is "ii ; wwgwwgrsa j gx ;& 2 w ge xw I cczuc J. {V i i 4; f * rx in E} ; t; ii *V EV zz " 3 my ze 2 ie I \ reggmm g _' S 2 xm i' cisiyr *, ` (_ 2 5. "' km,. 3 F p * *.3 xx `kroigyyni L \» j wcieegsn 2 v` lgismjéé `, X ~ ` b x` Vt V\ 9 4 ~ x V` 7 2 <? Lufvbté men ceeem S;,.»~ of ~* me 5 ~ isrwi `T * gi ge we z iwixkjj ifljvv,s =i. beige 1*5/ 3 ~ xrgrm wy 7;* /5» 2 s X, 2 yftgt no or ~.» ; *- i` g E -» ie" f ` ' V i n L V" me Q eg;.., gk gmwmlwlglr lv $$6; = Ciiasjhs KL {ff" tzgypmsa J; V" 7 é,.... V 5 V t i, I 2 2f 2 ` V. V` gg zlxfab; tzsiw ww > Ms `is it ' 1, `ymesrg 2 VZ `yilig Hgure 1. Normative occuiiences or a) urgneaci Carp (Hypophthatmrchthys nooms) and o) Silver Carp (H. molitrix) in the United States. Dots represent confirmed sightings and collections, not necessarily established populations Maps courtesy ofthe U. S. Geological Survey... Cudmore, B., et. AI. (2012).

12 , ICP February 20, 2013 Appendix II Page 5 of 6 Appendix II: Resolution on Asian Carp: Keeping Asian Carp Out of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence WHEREAS, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence represent the largest body of surface fresh water in the world and are a vibrant, diverse ecosystem that is critically important to the economic weii being and quality of life of the Canadian and U.S. populations in the basin; WHEREAS, over 180 invasive species have entered the ecosystem over the years and caused widespread damage and disruption to the natural balance of the system, as well as significant economic damage; WHEREAS, one of the most serious threats ever presented by invasive species currently comes from Asian carp, including silver, bighead, and black varieties; WHEREAS, these varieties of carp were introduced to the southern United States for use in fish farms for algae control in the 1970 s and escaped into the Mississippi River system as a result of floods and other means over the years; WHEREAS, the invasive carp have migrated northward through the Mississippi River system over the years to a point where they are as far north as Wisconsin and Minnesota, and into Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well; WHEREAS, the invasive carp have established dominant populations in many places in the river systems, reducing significantly or eliminating populations of the more desirable species of Hsh because of their voracious food consumption and prolific reproduction; WHEREAS, the invasive carp are threatening to enter the Great Lakes at a number of points across the basin, but none appear to present as great a threat as the Illinois River and Chicago Area Waterway System; WHEREAS, many federal, state, provincial, and local government agencies in the United States and Canada have worked diligently and expended tens of millions of dollars over the past 10 years on a variety of projects to stop the migration of the invasive carp and keep them out of the Great Lakes; WHEREAS, including the invasive carp, there are 39 invasive species in the two basins that present a threat to cross over into the other basin in the near future; I WHEREAS, once an invasive species establishes itself ;in an ecosystem-,.it is l exceedingly difficult to eradicate it, and it often inflicts serious damage on the ecosystem and imposes j` A t major costs in the form of efforts to control it;. WHEREAS, invasive species have already inflicted hundreds of millions in damage across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, and invasive carp pose a serious threat to the $7 billion sport and commercial fishery that support the economy and help define the culture of the entire region; ~

13 ICP February 20, 2013 Appendix II Page 6 of 6 WHEREAS, Canadian and U.S. citizens across the basin have expressed serious concern about the invasive carp and other invasive species, and are demanding prompt action; WHEREAS, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and Great Lakes Commission completed a report entitled "Restoring the Natural Divide" on January 31, 2012 that established the feasibility of physical separation of the two basins in the Chicago Area Watewvay System that would also maintain or enhance water quality, flood control, and transportation in the System. WHEREAS, that the invasive carp in the Mississippi River system pose one of the greatest threats to the integrity and well-being of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem, including the 40 million Canadians and Americans who live there; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that preventing the invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem needs to be approached with the greatest sense of urgency by all those responsible for dealing with this matter; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Niagara Region encourages the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and all cooperating U.S. and Canadian agencies to continue operation of the electric barrier, intensive commercial fishing, and other methods to keep the invasive carp out of the Great Lakes while a long term solution is found and implemented. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that additional work should be undertaken to develop more details of the Restoring the Natural Divide," report; BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, once a preferred option is identified, all parties should move forward to implement the solution. _

14

15

16

17