January 25,  2010

            LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and his counterparts in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin today called on the Obama administration to immediately meet with them to hear first-hand the concerns of job makers and families across the region over the immediate threat of Asian carp.

            "It is our hope the bi-partisan team of Attorneys General leading the battle to protect jobs and the Lakes will have a seat at the table with the White House to help find a solution to this crisis," said Cox.

            Published reports in the news media state that Nancy Sutley, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, proposed a meeting with governors to address the Asian carp crisis during the first week of February in either Washington, D.C. or the Midwest.

            Today's letter was signed by Attorney General Cox, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett and Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

            Cox also said that President Obama, who pledged a zero tolerance policy for new invasive species in the Great Lakes, should act immediately to at least temporarily close the locks. Last week new DNA evidence of Asian carp was found in Lake Michigan at Calumet Harbor, past both the so-called electrical barrier and the O'Brien locks. The Great Lakes $7 billion fishery and over 800,000 Michigan jobs connected to the health of the Lakes were further jeopardized when the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers learned of the devastating new DNA evidence but failed to alert the Supreme Court Great Lakes Attorneys General Ask Obama for Chance to Talk Carp before it announced, four days later, it's decision not to grant an immediate injunction closing the locks.

            If President Obama continues to favor Illinois at the expense of other states, Cox said Michigan and the other states backing his efforts will need help from Congress. He praised the bi-partisan efforts of Michigan's Congressional delegation on the issue, including Rep. Dave Camp, Rep. Vern Ehlers, Rep. Candice Miller, and Senators Levin and Stabenow.

            Cox also said that public pressure on President Obama will play a vital role in changing the Obama administration's position. He urged citizens to sign an online petition to protect the Lakes at www.StopAsianCarp.com.

            Though the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said allowing Asian carp into the Great Lakes would be an "ecological and economic disaster," the Obama administration and Illinois officials are fighting against Cox's efforts to protect the Lakes.

            Click here to view a copy of the letter that was sent to President Obama

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