March 22,
2010
LANSING -
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox today said he is disappointed
with a new U.S. Supreme Court decision today regarding Asian carp that denied
Michigan's renewed request for a preliminary injunction to close Chicago-area
locks. The renewed motion came in response to new DNA evidence of Asian carp
getting past the O'Brien Lock and into Lake Michigan. That information was not
delivered to the court by the federal government prior to the Court's January 19th
decision on the original injunction request. Cox also delivered a new economic
study authored by a Wayne State University transportation expert which showed
much lower potential losses to the Chicago economy than was claimed by the State
of Illinois.
"Our motion was an extraordinary
attempt to protect the Great Lakes, but we felt it was necessary to because the
Court deserved to have access to the new DNA and economic information before
making a decision," said Cox. "We will continue to focus on the reopening of
the diversion case in April, with the goal of developing an effective plan to
protect the entire Great Lakes region from the devastating threat of Asian
carp."
Cox noted that Michigan's request
to reopen the "Chicago Diversion" case is supported by Pennsylvania, New York,
Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana and the Province of Ontario. The Supreme
Court has scheduled an April 16th review of Michigan's request for hearings to
develop a long-term solution to the crisis that will protect the ecology and
economy of the Great Lakes.
Cox also said that President
Obama, who previously pledged a zero tolerance policy for new invasive species
in the Great Lakes, should act immediately to at least temporarily close the
locks. Cox praised the bi-partisan efforts of Michigan's Congressional
delegation on the issue, including legislation recently introduced by Rep. Dave
Camp and Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
Cox reminds the public that they
can help bring attention to the issue by signing an online petition to protect
the Lakes at
www.StopAsianCarp.com.
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