ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan has experts available to discuss various aspects of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, federal legislation that would provide millions of dollars for projects in the Great Lakes region.

The U.S. Senate enacted the $23 billion water bill Thursday, overriding a veto by President George W. Bush.

Jim Diana and Edward Rutherford of the School of Natural Resources and Environment can discuss the importance of efforts to keep the voracious Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. The bill would provide funds to bolster barriers in the Chicago River to prevent the disruptive fish from invading the lakes.

Diana, who has worked with Asian carp, is a professor of natural resources and environment. He can be reached at (734) 763-5834 or [email protected].
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Rutherford, associate research scientist at SNRE, is interim director of the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research. He can be reached at (734) 663-3554, extension 104, or [email protected].
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Steven Wright, professor of civil and environmental engineering, can discuss how the current carp barrier works. Contact him at (734) 764-7148 or [email protected].
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J. David Allan can discuss the ecological problems caused when untreated sewage flows into lakes and streams. The water bill would provide local Michigan governments with funds to reduce sewer overflows during storms. Allan, a professor of conservation biology and ecosystem management at SNRE, can be reached at (734) 764-6553 or [email protected].
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Anastassios Perakis, associate professor of naval architecture and marine engineering, can discuss how the construction of a new lock at Sault Ste. Marie?a project included in the bill?would benefit the Great Lakes shipping industry. Perakis says the St. Lawrence Seaway was outdated shortly after it was finished in 1959. “The Seaway was designed with much smaller ships in mind than the ones built soon after it was opened,” he said. Contact Perakis at (734) 764-3723 or [email protected].

Doug Kelbaugh, dean of the A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, can discuss proposed improvements to the Detroit RiverWalk included in the water bill. Kelbaugh is an internationally known expert on urban design, community planning and new urbanism. He can be reached at (734) 764-1315 or [email protected].
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