MichiganRadio

Asian Carp Battle - Chicago vs Michigan YPSILANTI, MI (Michigan Radio) -

Wednesday's public hearing on keeping Asian Carp out of Lake Michigan turned into a forum on the threat to the financial health of Chicago's tour boat industry.

You could be forgiven for thinking Wednesday's public hearing was taking place in Chicago instead of Ypsilanti. Roughly half of the 200 people who packed the public hearing represented Chicago's sightseeing boat, water taxi and tow boat industry. They spoke passionately against any plan that would close the canal that could serve as an avenue for the Asian Carp to reach Lake Michigan.

Darren Melvin represented the Illinois Water Carriers association.

"Bottom line is, we want the same thing, we want to keep the carp out of the Great Lakes," says Melvin, "But we also want the decision making to be based on fact rather than fear."

Some people spoke in favor of closing the canal, saying that is the only way to protect the Great Lakes' multi-billion dollar fishing industry. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio