Will County Board member Julie Berkowicz is pushing to add specific language addressing Asian carp invasion to the county’s federal legislative agenda, citing the ongoing threat to local waterways as a critical regional concern.

During Monday’s Legislative Committee meeting, Berkowicz renewed her annual request to include dedicated Asian carp language in the county’s federal priorities, arguing the invasive species issue deserves individual attention rather than being grouped with broader environmental concerns.

“Pretty much every year I’ve brought that up. It is a major concern here to the county,” Berkowicz told federal lobbyist KP Pratt during the virtual briefing. “I think it deserves to have an individual mention here in our agenda.”

Berkowicz emphasized that Will County’s extensive waterway system makes it particularly vulnerable to Asian carp invasion, which has devastated ecosystems throughout the Great Lakes region. She argued the county should leverage its strategic importance to secure additional federal funding for carp prevention and control measures.

“Our waterways are critical here in Will County, and you’re talking about nature,” Berkowicz said. “I think we should be keeping it front and center and possibly using that as leverage to bring in more dollars here to the county.”

The committee member suggested that Will County’s role as a major transportation and logistics hub enhances its importance in regional environmental protection efforts, potentially making it eligible for increased federal environmental funding.

Pratt agreed to draft specific language addressing Asian carp concerns for board review and potential inclusion in the federal agenda. The proposal would need approval from the full board before being incorporated into the county’s official federal legislative priorities.

The county’s current federal agenda includes various environmental and infrastructure priorities, including the DuPage River Study and renewable energy initiatives at the Prairie View Landfill.

Asian carp have been a persistent concern for Illinois waterways, with federal agencies spending millions on prevention efforts including electric barriers and monitoring systems to prevent the invasive species from reaching the Great Lakes system.