EDITORIAL: Keep federal claws out of our CAWS

A new report by the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative proposes separating the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River to prevent the spread of Asian carp and other destructive species. It is a well-intentioned proposal, but it would have dire consequences.

The engineering plan to separate the two ecosystems -- estimated at $3.3 billion to $9.5 billion, depending on the option selected -- would cost more than the dollars to do that work. It would endanger the shipping industry as well.

The Chicago Area Waterway System, a 130-mile network of rivers, canals and locks, allows cargo to be shipped from Great Lakes ports down the Mississippi River. It is a vital industry.

A letter by 31 members of Congress urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider severing the connection between the Mississippi and the Great Lakes was not signed by a single member of Indiana's congressional delegation. That's an indication of how well Hoosiers understand the consequences of this proposed action.

"This drastic measure would punish Hoosier jobs and the ports of Indiana while negatively impacting the quality of life in Northwest Indiana," said U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind. "We must continue efforts to keep this invasive species out of the Great Lakes while protecting Indiana jobs and Hoosier families in the area."

Coats joined with Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., and Reps. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., and Mike Pence, R-Ind., in an unusual joint statement opposing any decision to sever the connection.

No one wants to see Asian carp spread to the Great Lakes, just as no one wants to see invasive species already in the Great Lakes spread to inland waterways. But there are other options than to take the drastic step of disrupting the shipping industry.

Keep the Chicago Area Waterway System open. Don't shut down a vital shipping industry to prevent the spread of Asian carp to the Great Lakes.