I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1135 
To provide an immediate measure to control the spread of aquatic nuisance 
species from the Mississippi River basin to the Great Lakes basin and 
to inform long-term measures to prevent the Interbasin transfer of aquat-
ic nuisance species. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 26, 2015 
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan (for herself, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. 
KELLY of Pennsylvania, Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. 
KAPTUR, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. MOOLENAAR, Mr. LATTA, Mr. WALBERG, 
Mr. BENISHEK, Mr. BISHOP of Michigan, Mr. UPTON, Mr. JOYCE, Mr. 
DUFFY, Mr. TROTT, Mr. NOLAN, and Mr. KILDEE) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide an immediate measure to control the spread of 
aquatic nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin 
to the Great Lakes basin and to inform long-term meas-
ures to prevent the Interbasin transfer of aquatic nui-
sance species. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Defending Our Great 
Lakes Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL ZONE AT 
BRANDON ROAD LOCK AND DAM SITE, JO-
LIET, ILLINOIS. 
(a) IMMEDIATE ACTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Army, 
acting through the Chief of Engineers, the Secretary 
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey, the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, and any other applicable Federal agency 
shall take immediate actions to prevent the up-
stream transfer of aquatic nuisance species from the 
Mississippi River basin to the Great Lakes basin 
through the Brandon Road Lock and Dam site. 
(2) FOCUS.—Actions under paragraph (1) shall 
place a special focus on Asian carp species and other 
aquatic nuisance species of concern to the Great 
Lakes as referenced in the Great Lakes Mississippi 
River Interbasin Study of the Army Corps of Engi-
neers issued pursuant to section 1538 of Public Law 
112–141 (126 Stat. 586). 
(b) CONSTRUCTION.— 
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(1) REQUIRED MEASURES.—The Chief of Engi-
neers shall implement measures to improve the 
Brandon Road Lock and Dam site to prevent the 
upstream transfer of Asian carp and other swim-
ming aquatic nuisance species through the lock and 
dam, including— 
(A) constructing an engineered channel in 
the approach to the site from the Mississippi 
River direction, as outlined in the report issued 
pursuant to section 1538 of Public Law 112– 
141 (126 Stat. 586); and 
(B) adding technologies and measures nec-
essary for aquatic nuisance species control, 
while protecting the area’s ecosystem to the 
greatest extent feasible. 
(2) COST
ESTIMATE
AND
SCHEDULE.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Chief of Engineers shall submit to Con-
gress a cost estimate for, and schedule for comple-
tion of, measures to be constructed under this sub-
section. 
(c) OTHER MEASURES.—The Director of the United 
States Fish and Wildlife Service, in consultation with the 
Director of the United States Geological Survey, the Chief 
of Engineers, the Commandant of the United States Coast 
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Guard, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, and the heads of other relevant agencies, shall 
implement all appropriate measures in compliance with 
applicable State and Federal law around the Brandon 
Road Lock and Dam site on the Illinois River to prevent 
the upstream transfer of swimming and floating aquatic 
nuisance species, with a focus on Asian carp species, in-
cluding— 
(1) implementing existing Asian carp moni-
toring and control strategies at the Brandon Road 
site, as applicable, including real-time monitoring for 
aquatic nuisance species passing through by using 
relevant technology; 
(2) using the Brandon Road Lock and Dam 
site to the maximum extent practicable to test new 
aquatic nuisance species control technologies and 
measures; 
(3) implementing control strategies identified 
through that testing necessary to fulfill the objec-
tives of this section, considering those strategies that 
minimize the negative impact on the river ecosystem 
and desirable aquatic native species, while maintain-
ing efficient navigation; and 
(4) developing best management practices to 
mitigate aquatic nuisance species transfer by boat 
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and barge operators on the Illinois River and Chi-
cago Sanitary and Shipping Canal and working with 
operators to implement the practices. 
(d) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE.—The Chief 
of Engineers may only acquire real estate that is 
necessary to carry out this section and shall do so 
pursuant to the laws (including regulations) in exist-
ence at the time of the acquisition. 
(2) COOPERATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Chief of Engineers, the Director of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey shall 
coordinate with each other and— 
(A) the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, 
Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsyl-
vania, and Wisconsin; 
(B) the Chicago Area Waterway System 
Advisory Committee; and 
(C) any other applicable State, regional, 
local, and international government entity. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Chief of Engineers, the Director of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey shall 
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consult with appropriate entities in the business, 
commerce, and environmental communities. 
SEC. 3. ACTIONS RELATED TO THE LONG-TERM PREVEN-
TION 
OF 
AQUATIC 
NUISANCE 
SPECIES 
TRANSFER 
BETWEEN 
THE 
GREAT 
LAKES 
BASIN AND MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Army, acting 
through the Chief of Engineers, the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service and the Director of the United States 
Geological Survey, the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, and any other applicable Fed-
eral entity shall take actions for the long-term prevention 
of aquatic nuisance species between the Mississippi River 
basin and the Great Lakes basin, including transfer 
through the Chicago Area Waterway System. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION.—The Chief of Engineers shall 
coordinate with the Governor of Illinois, the City of Chi-
cago, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of 
Greater Chicago, and other relevant entities to design, en-
gineer, and construct flood mitigation and water quality 
measures on the Chicago Area Waterway System related 
to the prevention of the transfer of aquatic nuisance spe-
cies between the Mississippi River basin and the Great 
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Lakes basin, including transfer through the Chicago Area 
Waterway System. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out subsection (b), 
the Chief of Engineers shall— 
(1) coordinate with the City of Chicago and the 
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater 
Chicago to combine infrastructure to the maximum 
extent practicable with the Tunnel and Reservoir 
Plan of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District 
of Greater Chicago, and other relevant storm and 
sewer water infrastructure projects; 
(2) ensure flood mitigation in the vicinity of the 
Chicago Area Waterway System is improved and 
strengthen protections against flooding for residen-
tial and commercial neighborhoods; 
(3) ensure water quality is protected in the 
Great Lakes, the Chicago Waterway System, and 
the Mississippi River basin consistent with the Fed-
eral Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et 
seq.); 
(4) provide for continued commercial and rec-
reational watercraft traffic on the Chicago Area Wa-
terway System, and maintain efficient navigation; 
and 
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(5) prioritize efforts to prevent the upstream 
and downstream transfer of aquatic nuisance spe-
cies. 
(d) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) COOPERATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Chief of Engineers, the Director of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey shall 
coordinate with each other and— 
(A) the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, 
Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsyl-
vania, and Wisconsin; 
(B) the Chicago Area Waterway System 
Advisory Committee; and 
(C) any other applicable State, regional, 
local, and international government entity. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Chief of Engineers, the Director of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey shall 
consult with appropriate entities in the business, 
commerce, and environmental communities. 
(3) DELEGATION.—In carrying out this section, 
the Chief of Engineers may delegate parts of the 
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project to non-Federal entities subject to the avail-
ability of funding. 
(4) IDENTIFICATION
OF
PARTNERS.—In car-
rying out this section, the Chief of Engineers shall 
work to identify non-Federal cost-share partners 
when applicable. 
(5) ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE.—The Chief 
of Engineers may only acquire real estate that is 
necessary to carry out this section and shall do so 
pursuant to the laws (including regulations) in exist-
ence at the time of the acquisition. 
(e) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and each 
year thereafter, the Chief of Engineers shall submit 
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works 
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
a report describing the progress made, and a plan 
for further actions to be taken, under this section. 
(2) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—Reports under 
paragraph (1) shall be made available to the public 
through electronic means, including the Internet. 
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