Testimony Done In 5-state Suit To Close Locks
Testimony is over in a potentially far-reaching federal lawsuit seeking to close two Illinois shipping locks to thwart the invasive Asian carp.
Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin say that would ensure the carp can't overrun the Great Lakes. Their witnesses testified that such an invasion would devastate a $7 billion-a-year fishing industry.
But the city of Chicago, barge companies and others called experts who said closing the locks would undermine flood-control measures and cost businesses billions.
After three days of testimony in Chicago, Judge Robert Dow told lawyers Friday he'd hear oral arguments sometime in October.
The states say carp could enter Lake Michigan from Chicago waterways at any time, so Dow could rule soon after oral arguments.
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