Featured Stories
Wildlife Society: August Issue of JWM is Now Available
BETHESDA, Maryland, Aug. 18 (TNSjou) -- The Wildlife Society, a wildlife conservation organization, posted the following news:
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The August issue of JWM is now available
The featured article explores the role of domestic dogs in bear conflicts across North America
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The Journal of Wildlife Management is a benefit of membership in The Wildlife Society. Published eight times annually, it is one of the world's leading scientific journals covering wildlife science, management and conservation, focusing on aspects of wildlife that can assist management and conservation.
Join today for access
... Show Full Article
BETHESDA, Maryland, Aug. 18 (TNSjou) -- The Wildlife Society, a wildlife conservation organization, posted the following news:
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The August issue of JWM is now available
The featured article explores the role of domestic dogs in bear conflicts across North America
-
The Journal of Wildlife Management is a benefit of membership in The Wildlife Society. Published eight times annually, it is one of the world's leading scientific journals covering wildlife science, management and conservation, focusing on aspects of wildlife that can assist management and conservation.
Join today for accessto The Journal of Wildlife Management and all the other great benefits of TWS membership.
In the featured article (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.70236) for this issue, researchers looked at the relationship between humans, domestic dogs and bears in conflicts across North America from 1901 to 2023. They uncovered that it may be riskier to hike with a dog companion than without one when it comes to bear attacks.
Other articles in this issue address the potential of military lands providing an opportunity to recover red wolves, how little penguins select nest boxes and how recreational boats affect beluga whale dispersion and more.
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Original text here: https://wildlife.org/the-august-issue-of-jwm-is-now-available-2/
[Category: Environment]
CAIR-NJ Welcomes Release of Iemad Saifo From ICE Detention
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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CAIR-NJ Welcomes Release of Iemad Saifo from ICE Detention
The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the release of Iemad Saifo from ICE detention at Delaney Hall. Saifo is a beloved small business owner and father in Collingswood, NJ.
SEE: N.J. restaurant owner released from Delaney Hall following ICE detention, family says (https://www.nj.com/news/2026/08/nj-restaurant-owner-released-from-delaney-hall-following-ice-detention-family-says.html)
CAIR-NJ
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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CAIR-NJ Welcomes Release of Iemad Saifo from ICE Detention
The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the release of Iemad Saifo from ICE detention at Delaney Hall. Saifo is a beloved small business owner and father in Collingswood, NJ.
SEE: N.J. restaurant owner released from Delaney Hall following ICE detention, family says (https://www.nj.com/news/2026/08/nj-restaurant-owner-released-from-delaney-hall-following-ice-detention-family-says.html)
CAIR-NJrecently called for Saifo's release.
He entered the country lawfully from Syria in 2002 and has since sought legal pathways to obtain Permanent Residence status and eventually, U.S. citizenship. While Saifo has a December court date for his immigration case, he was summoned to the ICE field office for a check-in, where he was detained.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:
"We welcome Iemad Saifo's release from ICE detention and are relieved that he has returned home to his family and community while his immigration case proceeds. Families should not have to endure the fear and uncertainty that comes when a person attends an immigration check-in and is unexpectedly taken into detention."
She said CAIR-NJ will continue to advocate for the civil rights and due process of American Muslims and immigrant communities.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-nj-welcomes-release-of-iemad-saifo-from-ice-detention/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Says Top Israeli Official's Call to Murder '30 to 40' Each Night in Gaza Again Exposes Israeli Genocide
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Aug. 16, 2026:
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CAIR Says Top Israeli Official's Call to Murder '30 to 40' Each Night in Gaza Again Exposes Israeli Genocide
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said remarks by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir advocating the killing of "30 to 40" people in Gaza every night provide further evidence of genocidal intent and underscore the urgent need for the United States to end its support
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Aug. 16, 2026:
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CAIR Says Top Israeli Official's Call to Murder '30 to 40' Each Night in Gaza Again Exposes Israeli Genocide
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said remarks by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir advocating the killing of "30 to 40" people in Gaza every night provide further evidence of genocidal intent and underscore the urgent need for the United States to end its supportfor Israel's military campaign.
Ben-Gvir said in a podcast conversation that he believes Israel should conduct targeted assassinations in Gaza and "tak[e] down 30 to 40 every night." He further said that some people in Gaza are "not worthy of life" and "not even people." Similar statements by Ben-Gvir and other Israeli officials have been presented to the International Court of Justice as evidence of genocidal intent.
In a statement, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR said:
"Once again, a senior Israeli official is openly advocating an increase in the ongoing mass murder of Palestinians in Gaza. Itamar Ben-Gvir's hate-filled calls for more genocidal violence are no different than what one would hear from the Nazi Party or Hutu Power Radio or the KKK, and are a chilling expression of a racist ideology that treats Palestinian lives as disposable.
"When an Israeli cabinet minister publicly calls for the killing of 30 to 40 people every night and declares that some Palestinians are 'not even people,' the White House and Congress must take note, and stop enabling the Israeli government's crimes."
CAIR recently called on Congress to take immediate action following the circulation of new videos that appear to show Palestinian civilians in Gaza being bombed and killed in Israeli military attacks.
CAIR also called on Congress to immediately suspend U.S. military aid to Israel in response to a newly-leaked image of elderly Palestinians who were reportedly used as human shields by Israeli forces in Gaza and then executed.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-says-top-israeli-officials-call-to-murder-30-to-40-each-night-in-gaza-again-exposes-israeli-genocide/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Files FOIA Request Seeking Records on Advance Notice of FY2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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CAIR Files FOIA Request Seeking Records on Advance Notice of FY2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Muslim Institutions Encouraged to Report NSGP Application Experiences to CAIR
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking records concerning the timing and distribution
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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CAIR Files FOIA Request Seeking Records on Advance Notice of FY2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Muslim Institutions Encouraged to Report NSGP Application Experiences to CAIR
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking records concerning the timing and distributionof advance information related to the Fiscal Year 2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).
The request seeks records showing when FEMA authorized the FY2026 NSGP funding opportunity for release, when advance information was first shared with state partners, whether all states received substantially similar information at the same time, and whether any non-governmental organizations or outside entities received advance notice before public release.
CAIR's request follows months of advocacy regarding equal access to federal security funding by mosques, Islamic schools, Muslim community centers, and other vulnerable nonprofit institutions. In May, CAIR called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address concerns that Muslim organizations may face unequal treatment in the administration of security grants, particularly following the deadly anti-Muslim terrorist attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego. In July, CAIR encouraged eligible Muslim institutions to apply for available FY2026 NSGP funding while seeking assurances that religious identity, immigration-related considerations, or protected advocacy would not affect grant decisions.
Although CAIR cautiously encouraged Muslim institutions to pursue funding available through the FY2026 NSGP, the organization said it will continue monitoring implementation of the program and evaluating whether applicants are being treated fairly and equally.
CAIR continues to encourage mosques, Islamic schools, Muslim community centers, and other eligible nonprofit institutions that submitted FY2026 NSGP applications to report their participation and experiences through CAIR's applicant tracking initiative.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw said:
"The Nonprofit Security Grant Program can provide critical resources that help houses of worship and community institutions protect themselves from terrorism, hate crimes, and targeted violence. Given the rising anti-Muslim attacks, violent threats, and political rhetoric facing Muslim communities, we cautiously encouraged eligible institutions to apply for available FY2026 funding.
"At the same time, transparency and accountability are essential. CAIR will continue evaluating how this program is administered to ensure that Muslim applicants are not subjected to discrimination, additional scrutiny, political litmus tests, immigration-related conditions, or restrictions on constitutionally protected advocacy.
"Our FOIA request seeks basic information about how advance notice of this funding opportunity was distributed and whether all eligible stakeholders had an equal opportunity to access information about the program. The public has a strong interest in understanding whether federal security grant programs are being administered fairly, consistently, and without bias."
CAIR noted that information provided by applicants through its FY2026 NSGP tracking effort will help identify any barriers, disparities, or concerns experienced by Muslim institutions during the application process.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides federal assistance to vulnerable nonprofit organizations facing a heightened risk of terrorist or targeted attacks and supports physical security enhancements, security planning, training, and related preparedness activities.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-files-foia-request-seeking-records-on-advance-notice-of-fy2026-nonprofit-security-grant-program/
[Category: Sociological]
America's Credit Unions, 47 Co-Signers Issues Letter to Senate Leadership
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (TNSletter) -- America's Credit Unions, with 47 co-signers issued the following letter to the Senate leadership:
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Here is the text of the letter:
July 21, 2026
The Honorable John Thune
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
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The Honorable Charles Schumer
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
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Re: Senate Consideration of H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025
Dear Leader Thune and Leader Schumer:
On behalf of America's Credit Unions and the Credit Union League system, we are writing regarding the Senate's
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (TNSletter) -- America's Credit Unions, with 47 co-signers issued the following letter to the Senate leadership:
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Here is the text of the letter:
July 21, 2026
The Honorable John Thune
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
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The Honorable Charles Schumer
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
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Re: Senate Consideration of H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025
Dear Leader Thune and Leader Schumer:
On behalf of America's Credit Unions and the Credit Union League system, we are writing regarding the Senate'sconsideration of H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 (the CLARITY Act).
The CLARITY Act Envisions a Role for Credit Unions in Digital Assets
We applaud the work of the Banking Committee for developing a Senate version of the bill that will help the United States be a leader when it comes to digital assets and ensures that credit unions can be part of that process. In particular, we are pleased with the work the Committee and the bill's sponsors have done to ensure that the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has legal authority over credit unions participating in innovative digital asset services.
We appreciate the Committee working with credit unions and the NCUA to ensure that the version of the CLARITY Act before the Senate provides clear authorization for both federal credit unions (FCUs) and federally insured, state-chartered credit unions (FISCUs) to participate in innovative digital asset activities in Section 401. This is an improvement over what was reported out of Committee. We also appreciate that they have worked with the credit union industry to envision a path for privately insured, state-chartered credit unions to have opportunities in this space as well. The Committee and the bill's sponsors deserve credit for crafting a strong package in this area that deserves support.
Payment of Interest or Yield on Stablecoins
While the yield prohibition is a small component of the CLARITY Act overall, it bears outsize significance for depository institutions. To be clear, we are supportive of the vast majority of the CLARITY Act, particularly provisions which are essential for maintaining the competitive relevance of credit unions, and believe it should become law. In this context, however, we would support Congress refining the prohibition on yield in a way that ensures credit unions can continue supplying credit to local communities while having the ability to meaningfully engage with growing digital asset markets.
Congress recognized, when it passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act), that allowing stablecoin issuers to pay interest or yield on stablecoins would have a destabilizing effect on depository institutions and fundamentally alter the composition of deposit funding used to drive economic growth.1 The sufficiency of the GENIUS Act's prohibition has since come under scrutiny as incumbent stablecoin issuers and digital asset exchanges have sought clarification that various indirect rewards or other consideration should nonetheless be accommodated as long as it is not strictly characterized as interest or yield.
We appreciate the bipartisan work of the Banking Committee in seeking to find a solution to concerns raised by financial institutions about the payment of interest or yield on stablecoins in Section 404. While the compromise is an improvement over previous iterations of the bill, credit unions still share some of the unease that others have raised about a weaker prohibition's potential impact on deposit outflow from traditional financial institutions.
In particular, we have concerns about the narrow formulation of the prohibition on interest and yield that could open structuring opportunities that could allow functionally passive reward structures (even if nominally activity-based) and undermine the Congressional intent of the prohibition. Additionally, it is important that the idle holding of payment stablecoins for long periods or to achieve specific balances should not be incentivized. We are concerned that the language in the bill is not strong enough regarding this issue and could fail to meaningfully mitigate deposit flight. We would support efforts to further amend this language to tighten the prohibition on payment of interest or yield on stablecoins.
Ideally, the CLARITY Act will integrate the world of traditional finance with an emerging digital asset sector with minimal disruption to the millions of Americans who depend on reliable access to credit through their local credit union. We agree that the goal should not be to pick winners or losers between crypto and traditional finance.
We thank you for this opportunity to share our thoughts on the important role that credit unions play in the financial services ecosystem, particularly with newly emerging technologies, stablecoins, and digital assets. Our organizations stand ready to continue working with Congress on this important topic.
Sincerely,
America's Credit Unions
Alabama Credit Union Association - The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates
Alaska Credit Union League
Arizona's Credit Unions
Arkansas Credit Union Association
Association of Vermont Credit Unions
California's Credit Unions
Carolinas Credit Union League (NC and SC)
Colorado's Credit Unions
Connecticut's Credit Unions
Credit Union Association of New Mexico
CrossState Credit Union Association (NJ and PA)
Dakota Credit Union Association (ND and SD)
Delaware Credit Unions - Cooperative Credit Union Association
Florida Credit Union Association - The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates
Georgia Credit Union Association - The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates
Hawaii Credit Union League
Idaho's Credit Unions
Illinois Credit Union League
Indiana Credit Union League
Iowa Credit Union League
Kansas Credit Union Association
Kentucky's Credit Unions
Louisiana Credit Union Association
Maine Credit Union League
Massachusetts Credit Unions - Cooperative Credit Union Association
MD|DC Credit Union Association
Michigan Credit Union League
Minnesota Credit Union Network
Mississippi Credit Union Association
Missouri Credit Union Association
Montana's Credit Unions
Nebraska Credit Union League
Nevada's Credit Unions
New Hampshire Credit Unions - Cooperative Credit Union Association
New York Credit Union Association
Ohio Credit Union League
Oklahoma Credit Union Association
Oregon's Credit Unions
Rhode Island Credit Unions - Cooperative Credit Union Association
Tennessee Credit Union League
Texas Credit Union Association
The Wisconsin Credit Union League
Utah Credit Union Association
Virginia Credit Union Association - The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates
Washington's Credit Unions
West Virginia Credit Union League
Wyoming's Credit Unions
cc: Members of the United States Senate
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Original text and footnotes here: https://americascus.widen.net/view/pdf/070939e1-afec-43ca-84a3-41c48e457c5e/7-21-26%20America%27s%20Credit%20Unions-Credit%20Union%20League%20System%20HR%203633%20CLARITY%20Act%20Letter.pdf
News Release here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/americas-credit-unions-league-system-provide-clarity-act-feedback-prior-senate
[Category: Financial Services]
America's Credit Unions Issues Letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency General Counsel Jones
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (TNSletter) -- America's Credit Unions issued the following letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency General Counsel Clinton Jones:
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Here is the text of the letter:
July 24, 2026
Clinton Jones
General Counsel
Federal Housing Finance Agency
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington, DC 20219
RE: Enterprise Duty To Serve Underserved Markets
Dear Mr. Jones:
On behalf of America's Credit Unions, I am writing in response to the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) proposal to rescind and replace its regulation on Duty to Serve Underserved Markets. America's Credit Unions
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (TNSletter) -- America's Credit Unions issued the following letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency General Counsel Clinton Jones:
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Here is the text of the letter:
July 24, 2026
Clinton Jones
General Counsel
Federal Housing Finance Agency
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington, DC 20219
RE: Enterprise Duty To Serve Underserved Markets
Dear Mr. Jones:
On behalf of America's Credit Unions, I am writing in response to the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) proposal to rescind and replace its regulation on Duty to Serve Underserved Markets. America's Credit Unionsis the voice of consumers' best option for financial services: credit unions. We advocate for policies that allow the industry to effectively meet the needs of their over 146 million members nationwide. Overall, we support the broad direction of this proposal, as it provides Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs or Enterprises) with greater flexibility to support underserved markets and expand secondary market liquidity for the specialized mortgage products and borrower segments that credit unions frequently serve.
General Comments
America's Credit Unions supports the decisions contemplated in this proposed rule. Shifting the GSEs away from a restrictive menu of activities to a more flexible "any eligible action" incentivizes the Enterprises to purchase a wider variety of specialized loan products originated by credit unions. The existing framework has often constrained innovation by requiring the Enterprises to pursue rigid, pre-defined activities specifically identified in statute or regulation. By adopting a more principles-based approach, FHFA would provide the Enterprises with the flexibility to develop and purchase a broader range of specialized mortgage products originated by credit unions, including products tailored to low-income communities, rural borrowers, first time homebuyers, manufactured housing, and affordable housing. As the Enterprises design and implement new products and pilot programs, we encourage FHFA to ensure that community based credit unions, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and minority depository institutions have meaningful opportunities to participate. These institutions are uniquely positioned to serve and test innovative approaches in the underserved markets targeted by the Duty to Serve framework.
America's Credit Unions also supports FHFA's proposal to revise the methodology for determining borrower income eligibility by comparing a borrower's income against the highest applicable median income benchmark, including local, state, and national urban or nonmetropolitan median incomes. This approach more accurately reflects economic conditions across underserved communities and would expand Enterprise support for borrowers who may otherwise be excluded solely because they reside in areas with exceptionally low median incomes. Many credit unions serve rural and economically distressed communities where local median incomes can significantly understate borrowers' financial capacity. By adopting the proposed "national floor" approach, FHFA will help ensure that more loans originated by credit unions qualify for Duty to Serve consideration, increase secondary market liquidity in underserved areas, and expand access to affordable mortgage credit for low-, moderate-, and middle-income borrowers.
Below, we offer additional recommendations that will assist credit unions in the implementation of the new Duty to Serve framework.
Manufactured House Definition
We encourage FHFA to consider expanding the definition of manufactured homes to include modular, panelized, and state-code factory-built housing alongside traditional HUD-code homes. Doing so would enhance credit union portfolio flexibility and support the development of a broader supply of affordable housing, particularly for first-time homebuyers. Under the current regulation, the term "manufactured home" is limited to homes built to the HUD Code. As HUD proposes to expand flexibility for HUD-code manufactured homes and encourages innovation in factory-built housing, FHFA should likewise ensure that the Enterprises can support financing for safe, affordable factory-built housing. Aligning these federal housing policies would improve financing opportunities, expand affordable housing supply, and provide greater certainty for lenders and consumers.
Chattel Loans
America's Credit Unions appreciates FHFA identifying responsible chattel financing as critical to the Enterprises fully meeting their Duty to Serve. Credit unions frequently originate manufactured housing loans, and the proposal's explicit encouragement to the GSEs to build a secondary market infrastructure for chattel lending is a significant shift. This mindset will pave the way for standardizing personal property loans.
Building on the proposal, the Enterprises have historically made limited progress in facilitating purchases of manufactured housing chattel loans despite prior incentives and policy directives.
As a result, a robust secondary market for these loans has yet to emerge. This market gap is reflected at the credit union level, where manufactured home chattel loans account for only 0.50 percent of total loan originations. To address this longstanding challenge, we urge FHFA to require the Enterprises to publish clear and transparent pilot underwriting guidelines within the first year of the new Plan cycle. These guidelines should establish eligible loan characteristics, underwriting standards, servicing requirements, and participation criteria, providing lenders with a defined pathway for originating chattel loans eligible for Enterprise purchase. Such measures would advance the proposal's outcome-based approach and encourage the development of a sustainable secondary market for responsibly underwritten manufactured housing chattel loans.
Conclusion
America's Credit Unions appreciates the opportunity to comment on FHFA's proposal on Duty to Serve Underserved Markets. We support the agency's effort to revise its regulatory framework while preserving the focus on serving underserved communities. Should you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact me at tmaron@americascreditunions.org or 202-961-5731.
Sincerely,
Tyler Maron, Regulatory Advocacy Counsel
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Original text and footnotes here: https://americascus.widen.net/view/pdf/e1cdc35f-4dec-4ef3-af8b-c3de6189e7c1/acu-comment-letter--fhfa--duty-to-serve-underserved-markets.pdf
News Release here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/fhfa-underserved-markets-proposal-offers-flexibility
[Category: Financial Services]
Alliance for the Great Lakes: Invasive Carp Now Only 80 Miles From Entering the Great Lakes
CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 18 -- The Alliance for the Great Lakes issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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Invasive Carp Now Only 80 Miles from Entering the Great Lakes
On Friday, August 14, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced in a press release that juvenile invasive carp were discovered a mere 80 miles from Lake Michigan, further upriver than they have ever been found through routine monitoring. This finding underscores the vital importance of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a suite of deterrents to stop damaging carp from entering the lakes via
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 18 -- The Alliance for the Great Lakes issued the following news release on Aug. 17, 2026:
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Invasive Carp Now Only 80 Miles from Entering the Great Lakes
On Friday, August 14, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced in a press release that juvenile invasive carp were discovered a mere 80 miles from Lake Michigan, further upriver than they have ever been found through routine monitoring. This finding underscores the vital importance of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a suite of deterrents to stop damaging carp from entering the lakes viaa chokepoint on the Illinois River. The project has seen over a decade of bipartisan planning and collaboration. Congress has appropriated funds for Phase I construction, and the states involved have met every funding commitment.
Construction on the Brandon Road project began this year, providing jobs for union workers, but earlier this month the US Army Corps of Engineers issued a stop-work order on the project. No warning and no reasons were given why the critical barrier construction was halted, despite repeated information requests from the bipartisan Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, Illinois and Michigan state agencies, and environmental organizations. The President previously directed federal agencies to implement the project with maximum speed and efficiency.
This is the farthest north that juvenile invasive carp have been discovered since monitoring began in 2010, according to IDNR, and the location indicates that a spawning event may have occurred even closer to Lake Michigan. Spawning activity is a sign of an established population and shows a higher risk of invasion than the presence of adult fish. The carp are closing in on the Great Lakes by advancing up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, where they have already caused significant ecological and economic damage. The Brandon Road project is the best chance to stop them before they threaten the region's $5.1 billion fishing and $16 billion recreational boating industries.
"Every day we don't have shovels in the ground at the Brandon Road project puts us a day closer to seeing invasive carp cause irreversible harm to the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy that our region depends on," said Joel Brammeier, President and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. "With carp spawning in the upper river, we don't have any more time for administrative delay. The Army Corps must allow the construction teams to get back to work now - otherwise, years of bipartisan collaboration and investment to stop the carp will have been for nothing."
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Original text here: https://greatlakes.org/2026/08/invasive-carp-now-only-80-miles-from-entering-the-great-lakes/
[Category: Environment]
