Lamprey Control Budget Cut

[GLF]

The U.S. fiscal 2007 federal budget contained an overall reduction of about 1% for non-military discretionary programs, though included a 14% increase in Department of State discretionary programs. The following is a preliminary report about how the budget affects the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the sea lamprey control program.

The budget reduces the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s funding from $14.4 million to $12.1, million, a cut of $2.3 million or 15%. (The Lake Champlain add-on of $500,000 was also eliminated.) The commission notified the US government that a total US contribution of $18.9 is needed in fiscal 2007.

If the budget passes Congress, the commission will be forced to make significant reductions in the sea lamprey control program at a time when sea lamprey abundances are on the rise in many areas of the Great Lakes.

Approximately 15 priority streams will be dropped from the treatment list.