State Rep. David W. Martin (R-Davison) today thanked President Trump and his administration for issuing a memo directing the federal government to assist in blocking Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. President Trump has pledged support for the $1.15 billion Brandon Road Interbasin Project, an intergovernmental project between Illinois and Michigan which aims to prevent invasive Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes and taking a toll on the natural ecosystem. The memo comes just two days after Martin’s committee urged Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to continue with the agreed upon project and cooperate with both Michigan and the Trump Administration.

“I’m grateful that President Trump has heard us and is taking steps to defend our Great Lakes,” Martin said. “Michigan’s lakes and waterways are among our state’s most valuable natural treasures. Defending them is a bipartisan issue that I believe all Michigan residents can get behind.”

The project was originally agreed upon in 2020, but was paused in February of this year by Gov. Pritzker after he stated he was unsure the new administration would back the project. Now that President Trump has stated full support and pledged funding, Martin is calling on Pritzker to get the project moving again.

“I am calling on Gov. Pritzker to set aside partisan politics and get construction started as time is of the essence,” Martin said. “As chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism, I believe I have a duty to defend our Great Lakes against invasive species. I’ll always stand up for Michigan’s natural resources, no matter what. We must keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes!”

###