When All Else Fails, Turn To Congress

A Michigan Congressman reacted to the US Supreme Court’s failure to invoke a lock closure by introducing a bill in the US House that would force lock closure and further direct the Army Corps of Engineers to build barriers and conduct studies that would hopefully curb the advance of the Asian Carp into the Great Lakes.

Rep. Dave Camps (R) Bill, HR 4472 may be the next best hope to stop the carp momentarily while a more permanent solution to this issue is worked out. The studies called for would try and help the barge industry by abating any effects the closure might have upon them as well as consider any flooding issues that could arise from closure of the locks.

The Tugboat and Barge Industry is not happy and argues that thousands of local jobs would be lost if commerce on the locks were to stop. However, Michigan stands to lose 800,000 jobs, endure devaluation of property and the entire region’s $7 billion sport fishing economy is at stake.

In addition to this bill, Michigan still is pursuing a legal challenge and the White House has agreed to meet with Great Lakes Governors in the coming weeks.

• Posted by Tiffany Danitz Pache on January 22nd, 2010
• Tags: Asian Carp Advance, Congressman Dave Camp (R- Mich), Great Lakes Governors, US Supreme Court, White House
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