TRAVERSE CITY — An American Indian tribe based in Leelanau County requested permission Tuesday to join a lawsuit demanding stronger action to prevent Asian carp from infesting the Great Lakes.
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians said it fears that five states suing the federal government and Chicago officials over the carp issue will not devote enough attention to the tribe's interests — particularly fishing rights provided under an 1836 treaty.
In a brief filed in U.S. District Court for northern Illinois, the tribe contended those rights are "paramount" to the economic needs of Chicago-area businesses that favor continued operation of navigational locks and gates through which the carp could gain access to the lakes.
A lawsuit filed by Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota and Pennsylvania accuses the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago of creating a public nuisance by refusing to close the locks and gates. A hearing on the suit resumes Sept. 7.
The states want Judge Robert M. Dow Jr. to issue a preliminary order to shutter the locks and take other steps to keep the carp out. The Grand Traverse tribe's motion asks to intervene on the states' side — first as an observer, and later as a full participant if the case advances beyond the preliminary injunction stage.
"Historically, fishing played a central role in the spiritual and cultural framework of Native American life," the tribe said in a brief filed by attorney Bill Rastetter of Traverse City and Matthew Fletcher, a Michigan State University law professor.
"Not only are the Great Lakes fish culturally important to the tribes, these communities depend upon fisheries resources for their livelihoods."
Bighead and silver carp, both Asian varieties, have been migrating up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers toward the Great Lakes for decades. Biologists fear if the ravenous fish get into the lakes, they could decimate a $7 billion-a-year fishing industry by gobbling plankton, a key link in the food chain that supports prized species such as salmon and walleye.
DNA from Asian carp has been detected past an electronic barrier designed to prevent them from reaching Lake Michigan through Chicago waterways. A single 20-pound carp was found in one of the waterways in June, the first seen above the barrier system, although scientists say it's unclear whether the fish got there by eluding the devices or by some other means.
The Obama administration, the state of Illinois and business groups there say closing the shipping infrastructure would damage the area economy with no guarantee of keeping the carp out of the lakes.
Region
Tribe wants to join Asian Carp lawsuit
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Housing project 'moving forward'
Traverse City commissioners recently approved what officials expect to be the last change in long-running negotiations to sell city property near the former railroad depot off Eighth Street to two affordable housing agencies.
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Septic tank tax appears inevitable
A $30 to $40 yearly tax assessment on properties with septic tanks in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau's Elmwood Township appears inevitable.
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DEQ seeks public input on Brown Bridge Dam removal
The state Department of Environmental Quality seeks public comment on Traverse City's request for a permit to remove Brown Bridge Dam and restore three miles of Boardman River channel.
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Man charged in Crystal Lake incident
A downstate man who attempted to evade authorities by jumping into Crystal Lake spent his Memorial Day weekend in jail.
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Traverse City to expand TC Saves energy program
The city is expanding a program designed to help residents save on their energy bills.
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Elk Lake boat launch closed for repairs
The Elk Lake boat launch located three miles south of Kewadin is temporarily closed for repairs.
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Suspect arrested in parking meter thefts
Police arrested a man they said stole parking meters in Traverse City.
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TC Central, West on another 'best' list
Two Traverse City high schools made another national list of the best in the country.
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Traverse City man faces theft charge
A Traverse City man faces a criminal charge after police believe he stole cash and other items from a friend's parents.
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Detroit chamber wants help for new campaign
The Detroit Regional Chamber is asking private companies to contribute $2 million a year for a new campaign to promote economic development in southeastern Michigan.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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Video: 'Taps' at Memorial Day service at Oakwood Cemetery
An excerpt of horn player Don Sattler and drummer David Sattler performing "Taps" at the conclusion of the Memorial Day service at Traverse City's Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May. 28, 2012.
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Memorial Day: Traverse City honors heroes
A Memorial Day ceremony included a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps" and a speech from Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Inman.
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Get to work without using your car
- Monday, May 28, 2012
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City to discontinue spring cleanup
City crews will stop collecting residents' clutter each spring.
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Terry Wooten: WWII soldier's story told in poems
Jack Miller, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and a POW during World War II, won't be in any Memorial Day parades today.
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Remembering the fallen veterans
Below is a list of military veterans from the region who died during the past year (May 28, 2011, through May 25, 2012).
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Memorial Day events
A roundup of Memorial Day-related events in northern Michigan:
Continued ... - Sunday, May 27, 2012
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Travel season begins
Tourism analysts at Michigan State University project a 3 percent increase in Michigan travel volume this year.
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Restored cemetery to be honored on Memorial Day
The "Old Ones" buried in the once-overgrown and abandoned Onominese Indian Cemetery near Northport will be honored in a Memorial Day service and traditional re-dedication ceremony.
Continued ... - 2012 Memorial Day weekend event listing
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Underwater archaeology school returns to NMC
People from around the world will dive deep into the study of underwater archaeology next month at Northwestern Michigan College.
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Change may be on the way for kindergarten cutoff date
State lawmakers are considering moving up the cutoff date for kindergarten to level the academic playing field for new students, but school officials in Traverse City said it's more important to focus on universal preschool.
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Paving under way on 6.5-mile stretch of Leelanau Trail
Cyclists soon find a much smoother ride from Traverse City to Suttons Bay.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 26, 2012
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July 4 to sparkle for years to come
Local supporters saved the threatened patriotic pyrotechnics last year. Now, the group launched the nonprofit Traverse City Boom Boom Club to plan and pay for an annual Independence Day show.
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GT Road Commission won't renew Gillis' contract
Mary Gillis' bosses refused to renew her contract, so the Grand Traverse County Road Commission's manager has to figure out her next move.
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