Corps rejects closing locks to block Asian carp

By AP

TRAVERSE CITY, MI –

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it has no immediate plans to close shipping locks near Chicago to prevent Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes.

The Corps on Thursday outlined short-term measure it will take to help keep the unwanted fish out of Lake Michigan.

Environmentalists and Great Lakes fishing groups have pushed to close two locks on Chicago waterways that are infested with bighead and silver carp. They fear the carp would ruin the lakes' $7 billion fishing industry.

But the Corps says it needs more time to evaluate closing the locks for long periods or permanently.

In the meantime, it will place screens near one lock and consider closing both temporarily if requested by other agencies to support fish eradication measures.