By Ashley Hassett
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-945103.mp3
Buffalo, NY – U.S. and Canadian environmental and conservation groups are calling on the federal government to speed up a study on the possibility of Asian Carp entering the Great Lakes.
The first of 12 public meetings to discuss the threat from the potentially invasive species was held in Buffalo Tuesday.
The current research is expected to stretch 5 years, but the groups are hoping for a more expeditious 18-month study. The Chicago area portion of a regional study looks at preventing the Asian Carp from moving up Mississippi River into the Great Lakes.
David Berczek off the Army Corps of Engineers spoke at the hearing. He understands some of the criticism about the study, but says his team wants to be comprehensive.
Asian Carp are extremely prolific, consume vast amounts of food and can grow to 100 pounds. The absence of natural predators translates to an expected disruption in the food chain.
The Chicago Area Waterway System is the only known continuous connection between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. It makes it the primary pathway for transferring invasive species between North America's greatest freshwater ecosystems.
Environmental and conservation groups also urging the Corps to hold hearings in Canada.