I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5861 
To control the spread of aquatic invasive species between the Great Lakes 
basin and the Mississippi River basin, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 11, 2014 
Mr. CAMP (for himself, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. 
WALBERG, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. UPTON, Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan, Mr. 
BENISHEK, Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania, Mr. HIGGINS, Mr. THOMPSON 
of Pennsylvania, and Mr. PETERS of Michigan) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure, 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 com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To control the spread of aquatic invasive species between 
the Great Lakes basin and the Mississippi River basin, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Guarding Our Great 
Lakes Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:56 Dec 20, 2014
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5861.IH
H5861
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL ZONE AT 
BRANDON ROAD LOCK AND DAM, JOLIET IL-
LINOIS. 
(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 each other applicable Fed-
eral agency shall take actions to prevent the transfer of 
aquatic invasive species, with a focus on Asian carp spe-
cies, through the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION.— 
(1) REQUIRED MEASURES.—The Chief of Engi-
neers shall construct measures to improve the Bran-
don Road Lock and Dam to prevent the upstream 
transfer of swimming aquatic invasive species 
through the lock and dam, including— 
(A) an engineered channel in the approach 
from the Mississippi River direction, as outlined 
in the report issued pursuant to section 1538 of 
Public Law 112–141; 
(B) adding additional structures necessary 
for aquatic invasive species control; and 
(C) the construction and operation of elec-
tric dispersal barriers. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:56 Dec 20, 2014
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5861.IH
H5861
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) COST
ESTIMATE
AND
SCHEDULE.—Not 
later than 6 months 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 
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 on the Illinois River to prevent the 
upstream and downstream transfer of swimming and 
floating aquatic invasive species, with a focus on Asian 
carp species, including— 
(1) implementing existing Asian carp moni-
toring and control strategies at the Brandon Road 
location, as applicable; 
(2) using the Brandon Road location to the 
greatest extent possible to test new aquatic invasive 
species control technologies; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:56 Dec 20, 2014
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5861.IH
H5861
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(3) implementing all control strategies identi-
fied through this testing necessary to fulfill the ob-
jectives of this section; and 
(4) developing best management practices to 
mitigate aquatic invasive species transfer by boat 
and barge operators on the Illinois River and Chi-
cago Sanitary and Shipping Canal and working with 
operators to implement them. 
(d) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE.—The Chief 
of Engineers, the Director of the United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service, and the Director of the United 
States Geological Survey may acquire any real estate 
necessary to carry out this section. 
(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 Metropolitan Water Reclamation 
District of Greater Chicago; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:56 Dec 20, 2014
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5861.IH
H5861
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(C) the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating 
Committee; 
(D) the Great Lakes Commission; 
(E) the Great Lakes Fishery Commission; 
(F) the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cit-
ies Initiative; and 
(G) any other applicable State, local, or 
international government entity. 
SEC. 3. ACTIONS RELATED TO PERMANENT PREVENTION 
OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES TRANSFER 
BETWEEN 
THE 
GREAT 
LAKES 
AND 
MIS-
SISSIPPI RIVER BASINS. 
(a) CONSTRUCTION.—The Administrator of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency, acting through the Great 
Lakes Interagency Task Force, shall coordinate with the 
Governor of Illinois, the City of Chicago, and the Metro-
politan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to 
carry out engineering and construction of flood mitigation 
and water quality measures on the Chicago Area Water-
way System related to permanent prevention of the trans-
fer of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes 
and Mississippi River basins. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:56 Dec 20, 2014
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5861.IH
H5861
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS