Carp solution could include infrastructure spending

Posted on 10 March 2010

ShareTweet

Proposals to block Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes have largely focused on the costs and inconvenience of closing off Chicago-area waterways into Lake Michigan.

But business and environmental groups are exploring a possible upside: a broadly based infrastructure investment that would benefit much of northern Illinois, according to an article in The New York Times.

Construction, jobs in the freight sector and money-saving improvements in transportation networks could be among the results of efforts to create what environmentalists call "ecological separation" between Lake Michigan and the rivers and canals leading to the Mississippi River.

Other Great Lakes states estimate if the carp established itself in the lakes it would cause billions in economic damage. They have sued Illinois to prevent that from happening.

Tour-boat companies, barge operators, recreational boaters and others have cried out against one proposal: the intermittent closing of two locks that connect the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to Lake Michigan.

The Illinois attorney general has argued in a court filing that such closings would threaten a system that carries $16 billion in goods through the state each year. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is expected to release a report next month putting a price tag on what a lock closing could cost, the newspaper reports.

Click here for the full article.

Comments

2 Thursday, 11 March 2010 01:39

I hate to pop anyone’s bubble. But what must be must be. The only way to Eliminate the Asian Carp and the Asian Carp DNA, is to close the Chicago Area Locks. Step # 2 is to eliminate them between the northerly lock and the next lock south. 3^rd step would be to follow this same process to the next lockage to the downstream. Then keep repeating this process all the way south on the Illinois River to where it joins the Mississippi River. This same process would need to be done on the Mississippi River lock and dam system. Important: The DNA presence would need to be eliminated as well, otherwise this invasion will resume. You Say, What about other rivers and streams ? The Fox River and DesPlaines River too should be done. But how far must we go ? President Obama has committed 78 Billion dollars to this project. Let’s use it wisely! But for now the best thing we can do is GET STARTED! If the Asian Carp  are allowed to continue to migrate into Lake Michigan , All Bets Are Off !

1 Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:27

In politics, it is always about the money. To hell with the environment and the demise of the great lakes. They will just worry about that later!!!!

Add your comment

Your name:	Required, screen names acceptable
Your email:	Required, will not be published
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Comments Policy.:
Word verification:
	Post Preview

yvComment v.1.21.1