MADISON (WPR) Fifty members of Congress are asking federal agencies to consider stronger ways to keep Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes, including possible closing of locks near Chicago.

Last week, the Obama administration pledged $13 million to the fight against Asian Carp. Much of that money may go to build an earthen  wall to keep the invasive carp from moving from the Desplaines River into a Chicago shipping canal during a flood, upstream of electric barriers.  But 50 Midwest members of Congress say the EPA, Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies should also consider additional controls.  Wisconsin Rep. Thomas Petri says if the carp start disrupting the food chain in Lake Michigan, the fishing industry may suffer.

Petri says the federal agencies should start making plans for their next budget cycle. He says the agencies should consider major steps like ending diversion of Lake Michigan water through the shipping canal, or closing of locks in the Chicago waterway system if there's reasonable likelihood the Asian Carp are above two electric barriers. But  Rep. Petri says he's not out to stop shipping in the canal.

Petri says perhaps fish could be shocked or poisoned before barges come through the locks. Others want more underwater electric barriers installed. 9 of 10 members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation have signed the letter to the federal agencies. Rep. David Obey did not sign the document.

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Information from Wisconsin Public Radio, www.wpr.org