Keeping Asian Carp Out of Minnesota's Waterways

Fish that don't belong in the Midwest are threatening a Minnesota way of life.

Today Governor Mark Dayton is hearing a key strategy to keep Asian carp from hurting our environment and economy at the fourth "Asian Carp Summit."

Asian carp are starting to enter our waterways. In just the past few days, the DNR commissioner says two silver carp were caught in Winona, swimming up the Mississippi River.

According to Governor Dayton, the time is now to stop the spread of Asian carp or the Mississippi River could some day look like the Illinois River in Peoria, Illinois.

The Governor heard details of a new report out from Barr Engineering that found the best way to keep Asian carp out is to build a barrier using sound, bubbles and flashing lights at lock and dam number one in Minneapolis.

Another option floated around today was to use an electrical barrier but that could pose public safety risks.

Senator Amy Klobuchar discussed federal legislation she and Representative Erik Paulson are proposing to close the St. Anthony Falls lock.

Other topics discussed today include how to fish down the population of Asian carp if they do enter our waterways.

And if the state can limit recreational boats and commercial boats from using the locks on the Mississippi River.

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