Gale warning on Lake Michigan. Line of thunderstorms heading our way after a warm and windy day‚ a day spent on sewing on one hand and computer work on the other, not to mention dog walks.

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Dear Senator Baldwin and Supposed Senator RoJo and Supposed Representative Senselessbrenner:

Asian carp pose a serious threat to the Great Lakes' ecosystems and economy, including the $7 billion fishing industry. The leading edge of the Asian carp population advanced over 60 miles in 2015. Existing barriers are not effective against juvenile fish, and larvae have been found less than 50 miles from Lake Michigan. Stopping their progress is an increasingly urgent imperative.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been working on a Feasibility Study for carp defenses at Brandon Road Lock and Dam at Joliet, Ill. The lock is a logical choke point location to install Asian carp control measures to stop the fish from moving closer to the lake.

Last week he Trump administration indefinitely delayed release of the long-awaited plan. This is unacceptable.

The damage done by carp in the Great Lakes will be significant in Illinois, but it will be catastrophic in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and New York. Carp will be especially damaging to our Canadian neighbors for whom commercial and recreational fishing along with the whole range of recreational activities that depend on the Lakes make up a significant portion of the economy.

I am asking you to take the most aggressive actions necessary to get the Feasibility Study released immediately and then to provide sufficient funding for the construction of Asian carp control measures based on its findings. Perhaps working with Senator Stabenow would be a good place to start.

The Great Lakes are a unique and priceless resource, essential to the quality of life and economic wellbeing of those of us who live around them. They need to be protected from Asian carp, a most nasty invasive species.

Sincerely,