FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2010  

IDNR, USFWS to begin traditional searching near warm water discharges

CHICAGO – Fisheries biologists from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will begin intensive sampling operations in multiple locations within the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) this week.  The sampling efforts will include using commercial fishing nets and electro fishing gear in an attempt to locate either silver or bighead Asian carp above the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Electric Fish Barrier System.  The sampling operation will also include the use of commercial fishermen and is scheduled to take place in the CAWS over the next 2-3 weeks. 

Sampling crews will concentrate their efforts near warm water discharges created by various industrial operations along the waterway system.  These areas of warm water serve as a place of congregation for fish during the winter when water temperatures drop significantly.

The sampling effort on the Chicago Area Waterway System is an important step in the Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework, which includes both short and long term actions to stop the migration of Asian carp into the Great Lakes.

(Media Note:  There will be video and photo opportunities at one sampling location at The Stickney Water Reclamation Plant in Cicero on February 17 from 9:30-11 a.m.  Reporters will be briefed on sampling activities at that time by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  An uplink of the event will be provided).

To view the entire control framework or for more information about the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee log on to www.asiancarp.org/rapidresponse

WHAT: Press availability for Asian carp sampling activities on the Chicago Area  
              Waterway System

WHO: Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

WHEN: February 17, 2010- 9:30 a.m. (media should arrive by 9:15)

WHERE:  Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Stickney Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP)
6001 S. Pershing Road (39th Street) Cicero, IL

NOTE:  Media will gather and hold at the SWRP Main Gate (address above)
from 9:15 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

All personnel will be required to show proper identification upon entry.

Media will be escorted together as a group by MWRD police and personnel to and from the site landing.  No access to any other portions of the plant will be allowed at this time. No other recording of the plant or its operations will be allowed without express and previous permission. 

**MEDIA WILL BE ALLOWED ON MWRD PROPERTY UNTIL 11:00 a.m.**
For directions or other set up issues please contact MWRD’s Jill Horist at 312/751-6633 or 312-515-9171
**SATELLITE COORDINATES**
Slug: Sampling Efforts to Net Asian Carp on Chicago Area Waterway System to Start this Week
Date: 2/17/10
Time:  2:00 PM -  2:15PM (CT)
Satellite: AMC 15KU
Transponder: 01
Slot: A-9
Downlink Frequency: 11706.5
Downlink Polarization: V
Bandwidth: 9 MHz
Symbol Rate: 3.978729
FEC: 3 / 4
Data Rate: 5.5
For technical assistance please call The Illinois Information Service at 217.785.5499.

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