Waterways leading into the Great Lakes are acting like a “carp highway.”
The comparison from Michigan’s assistant attorney general came in federal court Monday, as a judge heard the first round of arguments in a lawsuit calling for tougher steps to prevent asian carp from entering Lake Michigan.
Five states, including Wisconsin, filed the lawsuit in an attempt to close locks around Chicago and install more barriers to prevent the fish from finding a way into the Great Lakes. Experts worry asian carp could quickly reproduce and devastate the ecology of the lakes.
However, Federal officials have argued that closing the locks could have a damaging impact on shipping routes through the region, and likely would not stop the carp from advancing.
The lawsuit will be back before the judge on September 7th for another hearing.