Trump administration lifts hold on Great Lakes invasive carp barrier after Whitmer call

The short version

• The Trump administration rescinded a stop-work order on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project hours after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke directly with President Donald Trump.
• The barrier project near Joliet, Illinois, aims to prevent invasive carp from migrating via the Des Plaines River into Lake Michigan.
• Work had been paused by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in July for an administrative review, despite recent findings of juvenile carp 80 miles from Lake Michigan.
• Michigan officials confirmed the order was lifted, but Illinois state officials stated they received no direct communication from the federal government.

Key facts

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers halted construction on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project in July, citing an administrative review without providing detailed explanations.[Associated Press · ABC News]
• The stop-work order was lifted following a phone conversation between Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and President Donald Trump.[Associated Press · ABC News]
• The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reported finding hundreds of juvenile invasive carp approximately 80 miles from Lake Michigan in August, the furthest upstream documented since tracking started in 2010.[Associated Press · ABC News]
• While Michigan officials were notified that work could restart, representatives for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker stated Illinois had not received official notice from the administration despite hosting the project site.[Associated Press · ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• The Trump administration halted a Great Lakes project. Then Whitmer called TrumpABC News - Politics
• The Trump administration halted a Great Lakes project. Then Whitmer called TrumpAssociated Press