Dingell, Colleagues Urge Administration to Lift Stop-Work Order on Brandon Road Lock and Dam Complex

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Bill Huizenga (R-MI-04), and Dave Joyce (R-OH-14) urged the Trump Administration to lift the stop-work order and end the administrative review on the Brandon Road Lock and Dam complex. The critical project is designed to prevent invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes and devastating the region’s $11 billion fishing and recreation industry, and work was abruptly halted on July 24, 2026, putting Great Lakes ecosystems and the regional economy at severe risk. The lawmakers are calling for the release of federal funds to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers so construction on the vital multilayer barrier system can resume without further delay. The four lawmakers are the co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Great Lakes Task Force. A copy of the letter can be found HERE and below: Dear Director Vought and Assistant Secretary Telle: We write to express concern over delays affecting the timely construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP) under the Department of the Army’s Civil Works Program and to urge prompt resolution of these delays. As we emphasized in our April 9, 2026, letter, this project is critical to preventing invasive carp from penetrating the Great Lakes. The project has been thoroughly reviewed by Congress, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and local partners. Its funding has been authorized and appropriated by Congress, and the non-Federal sponsors have met all applicable cost‑share obligations and secured the necessary property for construction. The Corps of Engineers awarded the latest contract for the first phase of the project on April 23, 2026. However, we were informed that on July 24, 2026, the Corps of Engineers issued a stop-work order on the project’s contracts, causing additional delays and putting the Great Lakes ecosystem at direct risk. There is a rapidly closing window to stop the further spread of these harmful invasive species before they inflict irreparable damage on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes and their waterways are a way of life—providing fresh water, fish and wildlife habitat, and countless opportunities for recreation, while supporting the economies of eight surrounding States and thousands of good-paying American jobs. Once invasive carp establish reproducing populations, there is little that can be done to stop them from taking over the ecosystem, leading to escalating costs for American taxpayers. Any threat to the Great Lakes is a direct threat to the American economy, the more than 3,500 native species of plants and animals within the Great Lakes ecosystem, and the drinking water supply millions rely upon. Importantly, we appreciate that the President has publicly conveyed his support for this effort numerous times since issuing his May 9, 2025, memorandum titled “Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp.” Given the strong support for this project from President Trump, its non-Federal sponsors, and the longstanding bipartisan support for its timely construction by Congress, as Co-Chairs of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force we respectfully urge you to lift the stop-work orders, conclude any additional administration review of BRIP, and release Federal funds through the Army Corps of Engineers without any further delay. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure timely completion of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project.