By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-881792.mp3
LANSING, MI – Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox says the US Supreme Court was not told the whole story before it refused to shut down a Chicago shipping canal to stop the Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. Cox says he will ask the court to revisit its ruling, and consider new evidence that the invasive species poses an urgent threat.
Michigan asked the court to shut down the Chicago shipping canal to stop the Asian carp from making its way from the Mississippi River system into the Great Lakes. Attorney General Mike Cox says the court denied Michigan's request without knowing of scientific evidence suggesting some Asian carp have already slipped past every barrier set up to stop them from reaching Lake Michigan.
John Sellek is Cox's spokesman.
"The front door to the Great Lakes is wide open right now," Sellek says. "We don't know what's getting through there. Why not push the 'pause' button until and we can call get settled on what is happening in Chicago?"
The Supreme Court sided with the state of Illinois and the Obama administration in refusing to close the locks. Great Lakes governors are expected to meet soon with the White House on the Asian carp crisis. Cox says Great Lakes attorneys general should also be at that meeting.