The threat of invasive species to America's lakes and rivers has increased in recent years, but one Illinois project is attempting to protect the Great Lakes.

Invasive carp reproduce rapidly and consume a large portion of the forage which sustains many other native species, threatening not only the ecosystem but also the sport fishing industry on the lakes.

The Brandon Road Interbasin Lock and Dam near Joliet is being redesigned with the goal of keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes. The project is about halfway through its design phase.

Drew YoungeDyke, director of conservation partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation, said the new lock will include an engineered channel with a number of deterrent technologies.

"They're going to rebuild that to include a suite of smart-technology deterrents to invasive carp, things like additional electric barriers, sound barriers, a flushing lock," YoungeDyke outlined. "All within an engineered channel that will allow them to also add new technologies as they're developed."

The sport fishing industry on the Great Lakes is estimated to add $7 billion per year to the regional economy and supports 75,000 jobs.

Congress has appropriated enough money for the design and initial phase of construction at Brandon Road, but YoungeDyke stressed their focus now is on Congress fully funding the project to see it through to its completion.

"We're in a race against time to make sure that invasive carp don't get past where that is now, before it's built and completed," YoungeDyke emphasized. "We want to make sure that as it's funded through at least the first couple of years of construction, we want to make sure that it's able to continue without delay."

YoungeDyke added the design calls for the engineered channel deterrents to be installed first and be functional before the rest of the project is completed.

YoungeDyke has been involved in the creation of two short films on the subject of the invasive carp and the threat they represent. The more recent of the films, released in September, "Against the Current 2," focused on the threat to the Great Lakes.

Christmas, it turns out, is for the birds, at least for those that will be counted this year in the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count.

The nearly monthlong bird count takes place around the country. Birders will go through a circled area with a 15-mile radius, counting the number of birds they see or hear.

Steve Sheffield, professor of biology at Bowie State University and vice president of the Maryland Ornithological Society, said the data gathered across the country will help map the trends and movements in bird populations.

"You can look at the population trends of each of the species and see where they're headed, whether their trajectory is up or down or whether they're stable," Sheffield outlined. "You can also look at where you are seeing the numbers. You're getting an idea of how the birds are moving due to climate change."

For counters who can identify bird calls, Sheffield noted they only need to hear a bird in order to count it, which helps with species flying silently, such as owls.

Sheffield emphasized collecting a century's worth of data is invaluable to bird conservation efforts. Birds, he added, are often a strong indicator of the overall health of ecosystems and are easily found and measured the world over.

One of the trends the bird count tracks is what Sheffield called "irruptive species," those forced to move south because food supplies in their local ecosystems run low.

"We get these birds showing up, like snowy owls, evening grosbeaks, purple finches, red-breasted nuthatches," Sheffield observed. "You could go several years and you won't find any of them. All of a sudden, one year, you have many of those species. That tells you some information about their habitat conditions."

The bird count begins Dec. 14 and goes through Jan. 5. The count is conducted by thousands of volunteers in more than 20 countries in the Western Hemisphere.


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A New Mexico agency has stepped up vigilance of the state's limited water resources.

On Tuesday, the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission approved a designation to protect more than 250 miles in five watersheds, including the Rio Grande. A coalition of state groups including anglers, local governments, acequia members and conservation groups were seeking the "Outstanding National Resource Waters" designation.

Ralph Vigil, northern organizer for the nonprofit New Mexico Wild, said the classification will protect traditional community water uses and safeguard waterways from the degradation new uses often inflict.

"I think that we, as people living in this time, need to take the necessary steps," Vigil asserted. "Because I believe we're living in a tipping point where either we do it or we're going to get to a point that it's so far gone that there's no such thing as clean water anymore."

The designation protects traditional community water uses and safeguard waterways from degradation from mining, development and transportation, waste disposal, recreational overuse and the effects of climate change. It will also help sustain outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking and camping.

Nick Streit, executive director of Friends of Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and co-owner of the Taos Fly Shop, explained the value of protecting the resource.

"My father started the business back in 1980 and I've been running it with my wife for the last 20 years and it's our sole income," Streit explained. "Protecting the water is also protecting kind-of our livelihood."

Vigil, an organic farmer, said clean rivers and streams are vital to New Mexico's agricultural economy, which depends on clean water to grow healthy crops.

"As we move forward with uncertainty as far as what might happen to our protections for clean water throughout the state this whole ONRW designation will help ensure that more of our streams within our state are protected," Vigil emphasized.

Some conservationists worry the incoming Trump administration will repeal clean water legislation approved by President Joe Biden, including an order for utilities to start ridding the nation's drinking water of forever chemicals known as PFAS, which are linked to cancer and other health risks.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Protesters are gathering at the Columbus Public Safety Building today to voice opposition to plans that could expand fracking activities near the state's parks.

Participants are raising concerns over environmental and health risks, emphasizing the potential dangers to Ohio's natural spaces.

Jenny Morgan, a longtime activist and environmental advocate, highlighted the potential health hazards associated with fracking.

"This accident-prone industry that uses dangerous chemicals, creates radioactive waste," said Morgan. "Ohio park lovers are not being properly informed of the risk to the lands that they own, where they take their children. It's wrong."

Morgan cited a 2022 Harvard study linking fracking to increased radioactive particles in areas downwind of drilling sites.

The Ohio Oil and Gas Association defends the industry, asserting that advances in technology and oversight minimize risks, while emphasizing the economic benefits and jobs it brings to the state.

Melinda Zemper - a steering committee member of Save Ohio Parks - stressed the importance of preserving Ohio's public lands for future generations, and said the public deserves more transparency about the long-term effects of fracking.

"These are public lands that belong to the people of Ohio, not to one or two political administrations," said Zemper. "We want our children - and our grandchildren - to be able to enjoy these natural resources in perpetuity, because that's how they were established."

Roxanne Groff, a former Athens County commissioner and environmental activist, noted how industry promises have shaped local perceptions.

"Sadly," said Groff, "what keeps most people from Appalachia from participating in the protesting is they believe the industry lies that they are going to get jobs, and they're going make money, and their communities are going to prosper. People fight to get their leases bought."

The protest, set to take place at 12:15 p.m, is part of a growing movement across Ohio to raise awareness about the environmental costs of fracking.




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