Title
Supporting the Asian Carp Action Plan to prevent and control the spread of Asian Carp to Minnesota's rivers and lakes.
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WHEREAS, the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers are a significant natural, cultural, historic, scenic, ecological, recreation and economic resource to the City of Saint Paul, the State of Minnesota and the United States; and
WHEREAS, with 17 miles of the Mississippi River and 26 miles of river frontage, the City of Saint Paul has more miles of the Mississippi River within its boundaries than any other municipality along the river's entire length and is at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities was determined to be of national significance resulting in the United States Congress creating the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) in 1988; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi River within the MNRRA corridor supports a variety of wildlife habitats which provide food and shelter for about 50 species of mammals, 270 species of birds and 150 species of fish and over 25 species of mussels which reside in or travel through the area; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers serve as an important part of the regional and national transportation system and economy with nearly 5.2 million tons of commodities including grain, sand, gravel, fertilizer, salt, cement, and coal passing through Twin Cities river terminals in 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers provide significant recreational, commercial and educational opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water related activities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has and will continue to work with local, state, federal agencies, businesses, nonprofits and community organizations to protect and enhance the Mississippi River while furthering economic development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation Department completed a year-long planning process and developed the Great River Passage Master Plan that provides a vision and recommendations for enhancing the natural environment, recreational opportunities and economic vitality of the 17 mile river corridor; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries are threatened by four invasive species of Asian Carp - bighead, silver, grass and black - which endanger the ecosystems of Minnesota's lakes and rivers as well as, the State's multi-billion dollar fishing, boating and recreational industries; and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, evidence of environmental DNA (eDNA) for silver carp has been found above and below the Coon Rapids Dam, below Lock and Dam #1 (Ford Dam) and in pool #2, and below St. Croix Falls and eDNA test results from the Minnesota River, above the St. Croix Falls Dam on the St. Croix River, and below the St. Anthony lock and dam are not available at this time; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has participated in the Ad Hoc Asian Carp Task Force with representatives of MNRRA, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Transportation, City of Minneapolis, Saint Paul Port Authority and others and at the Governor Mark Dayton's Carp Summits;
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul supports the Ad Hoc Asian Carp Task Force's 4 part action plan of 1) early detection and response; 2) prevention and deterrence; 3) mitigation and control; and 4) outreach and communication.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council and Mayor Chris Coleman, as Chief Executive Officer of the City of Saint Paul, ask Governor Mark Dayton and our Federal Delegation to immediately call for a multi-state Asian Carp Summit which includes the Governors of Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, South and North Dakota and appropriate federal and state agencies to prevent and control the spread of Asian Carp and improve the water quality of the upper Mississippi River; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council supports the immediate installation of a sound/bubble barrier outside the lock chamber at Lock and Dam #1 (Ford Dam) and the study of reducing lockages at Lock and Dam #1 and Upper St. Anthony Falls; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council supports the immediate completion of the feasible studies for barriers at the mouth of the St. Croix River and at Lock and Dam #19 in Keokuk, Iowa as well as permanent barrier at the Ford Dam or the Upper St. Anthony Falls and other research funds necessary to prevent and control the spread of Asian Carp to the State's rivers and lakes; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council supports securing Congressional authorization for the Army Corps of Engineers to execute emergency closure of Lock and Dam #1 and Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock to prevent the spread of Asian Carp and requests an analysis of the economic impact of lock closures; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City will only support a permanent closure or a permanent fish barrier at Lock and Dam #1 and Upper St. Anthony Falls after analysis of economic impacts and funds have been secured to assist the City with any relocation, redevelopment and restoration costs due to the lock closure.