When it comes to the Asian carp debate, a long-running problem in the Great Lakes region is a laser-like focus on Chicago and its waterways. While attention is certainly due, it cannot come at the cost of ignoring all the other potential pathways and introduction methods in various states where Asian carp could find their way into the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Agencies and lawmakers in Illinois and Indiana continue to lead the way in keeping a broader perspective on the issue but a new state, Minnesota has recently taken steps that should serve as an example to the rest of the region. Led by Governor Mark Dayton, policymakers in the Gopher State are taking a proactive and level-headed approach to the issue.
Just this week, the governor convened an Asian carp summit in Minneapolis to discuss a coordinated control strategy. Attended by representatives from the state’s congressional delegation and representatives from federal and state agencies, the meeting provided a forum for constructive conversation about control efforts. With several stakeholders and experts collaborating in the same room, it’s no surprise that the dialogue produced sound and strategic ideas for managing the species in the future.
