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Plan To Curb Asian Carp Raise Job Loss Concerns

By Anthonia Akitunde in News on Feb 13, 2010 10:00PM

In the fight to control the invasive Asian carp population, some wonder if there will be another casualty apart from the meddlesome fish: jobs.

During a three-hour public hearing, state and federal officials tried to convince the audience that a federal plan to "control and eradicate" Asian carp was "worth the economic risk and loss of jobs," Chicago Breaking News reports.

More than 300 people gathered on Friday to ask questions and air their grievances with the nearly $80 million plan to stop Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. The plan, which debuted Monday at the White House, includes building new barriers and increasing the study of the carp, according to the report.

The point that drew the most ire was the call to partially close navigational locks, dams and barge traffic for up to four days, the report said. According to the report, dozens of people whose very livelihood depend on Lake Michigan "chastised" the panel for even considering partial closure as an option, citing the potential for huge economic fallout, job loss, rise in cost and an increase in using trucks and trains to move goods.

"It would put us in a boom and bust cycle that may not be able to be sustained," said John Kindra, president of Kindra Lake Towing in Calumet Harbor.

[Chicago Breaking News]