FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 10, 2020) – The budget proposal approved by members of the Kentucky House of Representatives on Friday restores money set aside by the Department of Fish and Wildlife for Asian Carp removal. Funds were swept from the Department in the biennial budget proposal presented by Governor Andy Beshear on January 28.
Asian carp have invaded inland waterways across the United States, including Kentucky and Barkley lakes in Western Kentucky. They are an invasive species that threaten tourism and species of fish native to Kentucky. They can harm boaters and fishermen and destroy ecosystems.
This restoration of funding is supported by area representatives including Rep. Chris Freeland, Rep. Steven Rudy, Rep. Larry Elkins, Rep. Lynn Bechler, and Rep. Richard Heath.
Rep. Chris Freeland, who represents Lyon, Marshall, and a portion of McCracken County, praised Lyon County Judge Executive Wade White, who brought attention to the lack of funding proposed by the Governor.
“I want to personally thank Lyon County Judge Executive Wade White for sounding the alarm,” Rep. Freeland said. “As a member of the House Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee, I was certainly disappointed when the Governor proposed sweeping funds from the Department of Fish and Wildlife in his budget because I know how critical removing these fish are to tourism in our area. I am pleased that in the House budget proposal, we were able to restore that funding and demonstrate our commitment to protecting the Western Kentucky lakes from this invasive species.”
State Representative Steven Rudy of Paducah, Chair of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, commented on his commitment to protecting the funding with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“While we must balance all state priorities, restoring this funding was an easy decision to make in light of the real dangers Asian Carp pose,” Rudy said. “Not only does this species destroy other fish populations, but they are also extremely hazardous to boaters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts. As negotiations continue on the final version of the budget, I will vigorously defend this funding to ensure we can adequately address the issue of Asian Carp.
Rep. Larry Elkins, who represents Calloway and a portion of Trigg County, said that he supports the funding restoration.
“In my area, we’ve seen the widespread and extensive damage that Asian carp causes when the population is left unchecked,” Elkins said. “I will always support any effort to combat this issue, and I am glad that the biennial budget the House proposed will do just that.”
Rep. Lynn Bechler of Marion remarked on the economic impact Kentucky and Barkley Lakes has on the region.
“Our lakes are economic drivers in Western Kentucky, and we must do everything we can to protect that vital tourism industry,” Bechler said. “If we do not fully eradicate Asian carp from our lakes, we will experience a significant decline in tourism that will negatively affect not only the Western Kentucky region but the entire state. I am glad we are putting state resources behind that effort.”
Rep. Richard Heath of Mayfield, Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, stated that funding is critical to limiting the Asian carp population.
“The funding that the Department of Fish and Wildlife sets aside subsidizes fishermen to harvest this invasive species aggressively,” Heath said. “Without these subsidies and incentives, we will be taking a step backward in controlling the population. We must be purposeful and relentless if we are ever going to get this problem under control.”
This continuation of state funding comes in addition to $25 million in federal funds that were recently announced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to combat Asian Carp.