Attorneys general from three states say a $275 million federal plan for keeping Asian carp from migrating into the Great Lakes is too pricey and rejects the most effective solution.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is recommending technologies such as electric barriers and water cannons at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, which stands between the carp-infested Illinois River and Lake Michigan.
Attorneys general Bill Schuette of Michigan, Lori Swanson of Minnesota and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania say a better way is replacing the lock gates with a concrete wall that would divide the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds. That would cost only about $5.9 million.
They say the Corps plan favors the needs of shipping companies over those of the Great Lakes fishing industry.
This comes shortly after Michigan’s U.S. Senators recently sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking why it’s taking so long to finalize its plan for keeping Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes?
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry fired off a letter of its own urging the Army Corps consider an alternative to proposed structures that could impact maritime traffic from the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes.
WGVU spoke with Michigan U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow about the delay.