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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina s congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Myorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Minnesota Joins National Effort to "Weed Out" Invasive Species

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Thursday, April 26, 2007   


Duluth, MN - Several Minnesota environmental groups have joined a nationwide effort to shut the door on invasive species in the Great Lakes, such as zebra mussels, garlic mustard and milfoil. Julie O'Leary with the Minnesota Environmental Project says it's designed to prevent unwanted visitors such as zebra mussels, garlic mustard and milfoil.

“The damage that's being done to the Great Lakes ecosystem by the number of invasive species that have come into the Great Lakes through ballast water is growing.”

She believes we need national regulations, because ships cross state lines. And, Great Lakes shipping is key to Minnesota's economy and heritage. O'Leary argues that better "gate keeping" of invasive species is essential.

“What we are asking Congress to do is to take action, which would give us uniform standards for ballast water discharge and screening for aquatic invasive species before they come into the Great Lakes.”

Over 100 groups nationally have called on Congress to control ballast water on Great Lakes shipping, boost detection efforts and form a "rapid response" system to react to new threats.

O'Leary says invasive species are threatening the region's waters, wildlife and economy.

“The Zebra Mussels have cost municipalities millions of dollars across the Great Lakes, trying to clean them up and stop the clogging of water discharge intakes. The sea lamprey is another invasive species that we've learned to live, but it’s taken a huge toll on the fisheries. Most recently, there's a great deal of concern about 'viral hemorrhagic septicemia,' which attacks many species of fish and kills them. And, there's a lot of concern that this will really destroy the commercial and sport fishery in the Great Lakes.”

O'Leary says, overall, invasive species cost the economy $120 billion a year.




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