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Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species and their Impacts on
Milwaukee, WI
Prepared for:
City of Milwaukee, Department of Administration,Budget and Management Division
May 7, 2010
By:Adam Felts, Evan Johnson,
Margaret Lalor, Scott Williams, Noah Winn-Ritzenberg
Objectives
Define the context in which AIS affect Milwaukee
Develop policy-relevant goals and priorities
Identify potential policies that Milwaukee should support
Consider connections to the Port of Milwaukee
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Motivation
Great Lakes are important for Milwaukee economy, recreation, resources, heritage
Harmed by last two centuries of human activity
Role of Port of Milwaukee
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Roadmap
Context Ecological impact of AIS Economic Impact of AIS Economic benefits of Great Lakes shipping Regulatory environment
Goals for AIS policy Policy recommendations
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Aquatic Invasive Species
Non-native species
Cause economic or environmental harm
Potential for more invasions
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
How AIS Enter the Great Lakes
AIS enter Great Lakes in many different ways-Canal systems-Dumping-Fish farming-Boats & trailers moving between water bodies-Ballast water release
Ballast water is key 55 to 70 percent of AIS introductions since
1959
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Lessons from Current Ecological Damage Numerous impacts
Many different species
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Economic Impact of AIS AIS threaten a number of industries
Great Lakes fisheries – $7 billion annually Great Lakes recreation Industrial raw water users
Sources of uncertainty Difficult to measure ecological damage Difficult to monetize
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Estimated Costs of AIS
Estimated costs of AIS in the Great Lakes range from $200 million to $5.7 billion annually
Impacts on Milwaukee Raw water users and lakefront recreation
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
AIS Prevention Options Ballast water treatment
Onboard Offboard
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway infrastructure changes (GL-SLS) Close the GL-SLS to oceangoing ship Close the Chicago locks Build a longer term electrical barrier
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Economic Impacts of Ports Wisconsin ports generate 11,338
jobs Transport 78 percent of state
commodities
Port of Milwaukee generates 2,028 direct and indirect jobs $80 million industry revenues $35 million tax revenues
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Regulations International Maritime Organization
2004 Treaty
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal permit system
U.S. Coast Guard Proposed ballast water regulation
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
State Level Regulations
Great Lakes states such as Minnesota, Michigan, New York and Wisconsin
Wisconsin regulations are designed to incentivize innovation
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Inferences from Research
Milwaukee cannot tackle AIS on its own
AIS policy should be guided by the precautionary principle
Prevention is more cost-effective than managing an established AIS
AIS management options are cheaper than doing nothing at all
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Policy Goals
Ecological responsibility
Prevent economic damage by AIS
Preserve economic vitality of Milwaukee
Political feasibility
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
Policy Recommendations Support strong but flexible national
regulation on ballast water
Do not support closing the Chicago Locks as a sole means of controlling Asian carp
Collaborate to secure funding for AIS management
Use media attention to educate publicRobert M. La Follette School
of Public Affairs
Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
For copies of report, email:[email protected]
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