A.14. SUMMARY OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN ILLINOIS 
A.14.1. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 
Illinois’s State Comprehensive Management Plan for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) 
was published in 1999 (see Appendix B, State Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan 
Summaries for a general description of the Plan). 
A.14.2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
• Permanent Electric Dispersal Barrier, Illinois Department of Natural Resources 
(IDNR). This barrier was initially designed to stop the round goby but is now being used 
to target other fish such as the big head silver carp. 
• Evaluation of Barriers, IDNR, Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS). This program 
involves an evaluation of barriers to prevent the spread of bighead carp into the Great 
Lakes. It has conducted an assessment of multiple barrier components, including sonic 
technology, bubble arrays, and hydro-acoustic generators. INHS is also conducting field 
monitoring for the potential impacts of steel-hulled barges on movement of fish across an 
electric barrier to prevent entry of invasive carp into Lake Michigan. 
• Field Assessment of Electric Barrier in Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, IDNR- 
Fisheries. IDNR is conducting monitoring of the existing electric demonstration barrier, 
including stocking and subsequent monitoring of radio and acoustic tagged fish (common 
carp) near the electric dispersal barrier in order to determine if they can move back and 
forth across the barrier. 
• Early Detection and Rapid Response Planning, IDNR, Fisheries. IDNR is developing 
rapid response strategies for the control of Asian carp in various situations at critical 
control points and has educated their biologists and law enforcement officers on 
identifying various aquatic invasive species (AIS). If they find a species that is either 
new to the Illinois or new to a particular waterway/area, they are to fill out a standardized 
form and report it. This option is also available for the public in northern Illinois to track 
the Asian carp. If a species is reported, detection is verified, then IDNR follows up with 
a rapid assessment. 
• Bighead Carp Competition Studies, IDNR, INHS. This program involves field 
monitoring and includes examining bighead carp competition with native filter feeding 
fish to assess the potential threat for Great Lakes fish (salmon and trout). IDNR is also 
examining bighead carp feeding on alewife and gizzard shad (food sources for salmon 
and trout). 
• Intensified Field Monitoring for Asian carp, IDNR, Fisheries. This intensified field 
monitoring examines bighead and silver carp near Lockport and Brandon Road Pools at 
confluence of Des Plaines River. 
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