Invasives still major concern to Great Lakes advocates

MILWAUKEE (WPR)  Even with new clean-up money on the way, scientists continue to worry about invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Congress has agreed to spend $475-million on a Great Lakes restoration plan over the next year.   But some worry the money won't be as effective as it could be without tougher federal controls on ballast water discharges from ships in the Great Lakes. Contaminated ballast is believed to be a key source of invasive species in the waters. 

This week, an Obama administration panel held a hearing to look at new policies for the Great Lakes and the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.  University of Notre Dame biologist David Lodge described some of harm invasives are causing for great lakes whitefish, who have become increasingly skinny and not as valuable to commercial fisheries. 

The federal task force is supposed to make specific policy recommendations within a few months. Those could influence how some of the new money is spent.

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Information from Wisconsin Public Radio, www.wpr.org