Trump Administration Seeks to Transfer Great Lakes Carp Barrier Project to Michigan

Federal officials want to move management of the $1.15 billion Brandon Road project away from Illinois, sparking a clash with the state's governor.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a silver carp leaping out of a river, with the surrounding landscape bathed in warm, dramatic lighting, conveying the gravity of the effort to keep these invasive fish from reaching the Great Lakes.The battle over the Brandon Road project exposes the high stakes of protecting the Great Lakes from the threat of invasive carp.Chicago Today

The Trump administration announced plans to put Michigan officials in charge of a $1.15 billion Chicago-area river barrier designed to keep invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has vowed to take legal action, arguing that Illinois has upheld its commitments and that the federal government cannot simply hand over the project to another state.

Why it matters

The Brandon Road project is a crucial effort to prevent the spread of destructive invasive carp species, like silver and bighead carp, into the Great Lakes, which could devastate the region's multibillion-dollar fishing and recreational industries. The dispute over management of the project highlights the ongoing political tensions between the federal government and state governments on environmental issues.

The details

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it would move management of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project near Joliet from its Rock Island District to its Detroit District, putting Michigan officials in charge. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle accused Illinois of being an 'unreliable partner' and delinquent on payments and real estate commitments. However, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said the state has upheld its commitments and owns the land the project will be built on, warning that Illinois is prepared to take the issue to court.

  • On July 1, 2024, Illinois, Michigan, and the Army Corps signed a deal to execute the Brandon Road project.
  • In February 2026, Illinois Governor Pritzker put the project on hold due to concerns about the Trump administration's financial commitments.
  • Last month, President Trump posted on social media that he was working with Michigan Governor Whitmer to 'save the Great Lakes.'

The players

Adam Telle

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, who announced the Trump administration's plans to transfer management of the Brandon Road project to Michigan.

JB Pritzker

Governor of Illinois, who has vowed to take legal action to prevent the federal government from handing over the project to Michigan.

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor of Michigan, who has worked with Illinois and the federal government to move the Brandon Road project forward.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The federal agency responsible for the Brandon Road project, which announced the plan to transfer management to its Detroit District.

Donald Trump

The former president, who has claimed to be a 'champion of keeping invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes' and said he is working with Governor Whitmer on the issue.

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What they’re saying

“'President Trump has always been a champion of keeping invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. Our partners in the Great Lake states can't allow one state to have undue influence and use it to play more games.'”

— Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works

“'Illinois has upheld our commitments. Trump must stop this political stunt and start releasing the funds, get the project moving again, and protect the Great Lakes.'”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

“'Governor Whitmer will continue to work to get the job done so we can protect our lakes and power economic growth for generations to come.'”

— Stacey LaRouche, Press Secretary for Governor Gretchen Whitmer

What’s next

The Army Corps of Engineers has not yet responded to questions about whether the project's funding has been unfrozen and if construction is scheduled to begin again under the new management plan.

The takeaway

This dispute over the management of the Brandon Road project highlights the ongoing political tensions between the federal government and state governments on environmental issues, particularly when it comes to protecting the Great Lakes from the threat of invasive carp. The outcome of this clash could have significant implications for the future of the project and the health of the region's vital waterways.