Ohio: No More "Study and Monitor" On Carp

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, with the support of Attorney General Richard Cordray, took a major swipe at the "study and monitor status quo" policy that has marked the battle to keep Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes.

They say that prevention of an ecological disaster is still possible, but the "window is closing," and "while the research efforts contemplated by the Durbin-Stabenow bill and the Great Lakes Commission continue to be important, simply relying on further study and delay is no longer acceptable."

In separate letters to the president, Great Lakes governors and attorney's general, and the Ohio congressional delegation, Strickland and Cordray called for:

1. an emergency Asian Carp summit to take place by July 19th.

2. immediate construction of a permanent physical barrier.

3. the appointment of a full-time Great Lakes Preservation Person of the caliber of Robert Kennedy Jr. or Christine Todd Whitman.

Bordering on Lake Erie, Ohio has the Great Lakes largest fishery and the most to lose should Asian Carp become established.

Here's a link to the Strickland/Cordray press release and the letters to the president, Great Lakes governors and attorneys general, and the Ohio congressional delegation.

http://governor.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1728 

gw