Lawmakers, ODNR, OEC team up to pull the plug on invasive species –tainted ballast water in Lake Erie

Media Advisory

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Lawmakers, ODNR, OEC team up to pull the plug on invasive species –tainted ballast water in Lake Erie

Two-front effort opened up on federal and state levels

(CLEVELAND, OH) — Alewife. Round Goby. Spiny Waterflea. Zebra mussels.

None of these exotic-sounding species are native to Lake Erie. These exotic species have been hitch hiking their way up the St. Lawrence River via the ballast water of ocean going vessels for decades. Since then there’s been no getting rid of them.

More than 180 invasive species of algae, fish, invertebrates, and plants have become established in the Great Lakes. Once these destructive pests get a toehold, it is virtually impossible to limit their expansion. They quickly spread and out-compete native wildlife for food and habitat. Some actually physically kill fish and other native species. Others saddle state and local governments with multi-million dollar control and clean-up efforts. We haven’t seen the last of these creatures, though. Scientists estimate that every 28 weeks, on average, a new potentially devastating invader is discovered within the Great Lakes. The only effective solution is preventing the future introduction of any new invasive species.

Reporters are invited to join this special briefing by Federal and State leaders about proposed new comprehensive efforts to slam the door on invasive species invading the Great Lakes.

WHAT: Special briefing on proposed new federal and state efforts to stop destructive exotic species from threatening Lake Erie and Ohio’s inland waterways.

WHO: U.S. Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown; State Rep. Michael Skindell

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sean Logan

Ohio Environmental Council Public Affairs Director Jack Shaner

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 23, 2007

WHERE: Edgewater Park, Upper Pavilion – located just west of downtown Cleveland, off of Edgewater Dr. and West Blvd.

CONTACTS: Jack Shaner or Kristy Meyer, Ohio Environmental Council, 614-487-7506

Jack@theOEC.org (cell-614-446-1693) or Kristy@theOEC.org (614-638-8948)

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS:

• Garrette Sliverman, Senator George Voinovich, 202-224-7784 or Garrette_Silverman@voinovich.senate.gov
• ­ Bethany Lesser, Senator Sherrod Brown, 202-224-3978 or Bethany_Lesser@brown.senate.gov
• ­ Sarah Harrigan, Representative Mike Skindell, 614-466-5921 or Sarah.Harrigan@ohr.state.oh.us
• ­Cristie Wilt, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 614-265-6787, (Cell) 614-917-3334 or Cristie.Wilt@dnr.state.oh.us

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• Posted by kmeyer on July 20th, 2007
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