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Illinois AG: Asian Carp Suit 'Invalid' CHICAGO, IL (Associated Press) -

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan contends Michigan and other Great Lakes states do not have the legal authority to demand the closing of canal locks within Illinois.

Madigan filed her response Tuesday with the U.S. Supreme Court to a request from several states for an injunction to close the locks to protect the lakes and their $7 billion fishery from the voracious Asian carp. Michigan last month asked the high court to sever a century-old connection between the lakes and the Mississippi River system.

Madigan contends the request has nothing to do with the diversion of Lake Michigan water, and thereby is invalid under the multistate consent decree it cites. She also noted Illinois does not operate the canal locks or the sluice gates Michigan wants closed.
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