The Joliet Herald
January 22, 2010
By Kim Smith

Legislation urges closing of waterways

"While some announcements may catch headlines, they do nothing to keep the Asian carp from destroying the Great Lakes," said U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R- Hinsdale.

She was referring to an announcement made Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Wis. He introduced legislation known as Close All Routes and Prevent Asian Carp Today or CARPACT. The measure calls for the closing of the O'Brian Lock and Dam in the Calumet-Sag Channel and the Chicago River Controlling Works that leads into Lake Michigan.

"They should be working with us, not against us," Biggert said. "Those calling to shut down Chicago-area shipping and commerce need to start listening to the advice of our environmental experts in the field and stop playing legal games. Closing down these navigational waterways would not only disrupt billions in shipping and threaten jobs throughout the Midwest; it holds no guarantee of stopping the carp.

"In fact, it is more likely to cause widespread flooding and create new avenues for the Asian carp to enter Lake Michigan. The Supreme Court made the right call and Congress should ignore any attempts to reverse it."

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a preliminary injunction filed by Michigan also asking for the closure of the waterway to prevent the Asian carp migration.

Camp said the federal court action jeopardizes the future of the Great Lakes.

The court decision came hours before officials announced the discovery of Asian carp DNA in the breakwaters of Lake Michigan in the Calumet Harbor. No actual bodies of the invasive fish have been found, but officials vowed to resume netting and electro fishing operations in the area when weather allows.

On Wednesday, the White House said it wants to hold a meeting in early February with Great Lakes governors to discuss the problem.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.