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Michigan Indian tribes join fight against Asian Carp

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-921435.mp3

LANSING, MI – A Native American tribe in Michigan has decided to join the five Great Lakes states that are in court trying to keep Asian Carp out of the lakes.

Michigan and four other states are suing the Army Corps of Engineers to immediately close the locks between the Mississippi River system and the Great Lakes. They say that's the best way to keep the invasive fish out of the lakes until a more permanent solution can be found. Now, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has asked to join that lawsuit.

The tribe's court brief says, "Not only are the Great Lakes fish culturally important to the Tribes, these communities depend upon fisheries resources for their livelihoods."

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox says an infestation of Asian Carp could destroy the state's fishing industry. A federal court in Chicago will continue hearings on the lawsuit next week.

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