More News From WRVO
(2010-02-09)
A Congressional committee today is wading into the dispute over preventing Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan.
Asian Carp is a destructive invasive species which may threaten the Great Lakes region's $7 billion fishing industry.
Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar says a federal plan is needed to address the Asian Carp threat.
"We have to have a national response, and it has to be a unified response," says Oberstar, "We've not had that in the past, in reaction to invasive species," referencing past failures to prevent the spread of invasive Zebra mussels and Lamphry eels into the Great Lakes.
Rebecca Humphries is the director of Michigan's Department of Natural Resources and Environment. She says past efforts to slow the carp's advance have been too slow and ineffective.
"We all treasure the Great Lakes," Humphries told the House Transportation Committee, "We all should a commitment to continued vitality. Now we must share in a similar commitment and to more aggressively more forward to stop the spread of Asian Carp."
Illinois and Corp of Engineers officials insist they have done a lot to prevent Asian Carp from passing from infested rivers and canals near Chicago into Lake Michigan.
But Obama Administration and Illinois officials oppose requests to close a key canal linking Lake Michigan to carp-infested rivers near Chicago. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio
