Nashville, Tenn.–State Representative Bruce Griffey (R-Paris) has filed House Bill 2705, which would create an Asian Carp Advisory Commission in Tennessee for the purpose of advancing as the policy of the state, the protection of native fish species, the fishing and boating recreation industries, and the well-being of persons who seek to enjoy the use of the waters of this state through the removal of Asian carp.
According to the bill, the Commission would consist of ten (10) non-legislative members: the Commissioner of the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Commissioner of the Department of Tourist Development, the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Chair of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, an individual appointed by the Speaker of the House, an individual appointed by the Speaker of the Senate, an individual from Tennessee Valley Authority as appointed by the Governor, an individual from the United States Corps of Engineers and an individual appointed by the Governor, who would serve as Chair of the Commission.
Griffey said the language of the bill tasks the Commission with: (1) formulating and recommending strategies and methods for the reduction and eradication of Asian carp from Tennessee waters; and (2) seeking funding from public and private sources for the implementation of strategies and methods for the reduction and eradication of Asian carp from state waters. This bill is scheduled to be heard in the coming weeks before the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee, chaired by Representative Andy Holt.
In addition to House Bill 2705, Griffey is also pursuing a budget amendment to House Bill 2821, seeking funding to address the removal of Asian Carp from state waters.
Griffey said, “Asian carp has had a devastating impact on my district inasmuch as they have invaded Kentucky Lake, but the problem is not limited to my Northwest TN district. It is also a problem in Southwest TN on Pickwick Lake, and the problem is spreading across Tennessee with Asian Carp recently being spotted on Chickamauga Lake near Chattanooga. The carp feed on the plankton, removing a food source from native fish, and literally crowd out native fish species. As the native species disappear as a result of the carp, the ecosystem breaks down, resulting in less clean water. Additionally, the loss of native fish such as bass negatively impacts both recreational fishing and competitive fishing tournaments, which, in turn, negatively impacts tourism and local economies in areas surrounding lakes and waterways in Tennessee. There are a number of different agencies and groups, which have been working on addressing this problem independently. However, I feel that if all interested parties and stakeholders come together as one group at the state level to exchange and develop solutions and co-ordinate efforts to implement solutions, Tennessee would be better positioned to more quickly and efficiently tackle the problem, which includes stopping the spread of carp and removing them from our waterways.”