Supreme Court Won’t Tip the Scales on Asian Carp
OutdoorHub Reporters 02.27.12
According to multiple reports, the United States Supreme court has, for the third time, refused an appeal from some Great Lakes states (Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) to close the Illinois shipping channels in order to slow the spread of invasive Asian Carp into the Great Lakes.
The appeal called for the Army Corps of Engineers to install nets in Chicago-area rivers.
Asian Carp, which can grow as large as 4 feet long and 80lbs, have spread up the Mississippi River and are now reported to be established within 55 miles of Lake Michigan.
According to the Associated Press, scientists estimate that if Asian Carp become established in Lake Michigan they could starve out the native species and cost the fishing industry as much $7billion.
The original lawsuit, not the appeal to the Supreme Court, is against Chicago’s local water reclamation agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and calls for Illinois to immediately close down the majority of its Chicago-area locks and dams.
Illinois’ government claims this could lead to flooding and damage to the state’s shipping industry.
Despite refusing to hear the appeals of the Great Lakes states, for the third time, the Supreme Court offered no explanation for its decision.
Below is a 2009 report done by CBS just before a failed attempt to stop Asian Carp by poising a Chicago-area canal.
