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Scientists favor dividing Great Lakes, Mississippi

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Four scientists who study the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River say there's plenty of evidence that the two aquatic systems need to be separated to prevent invasive species such as Asian carp from moving between them.

In a newly published paper, the scientists contend that opponents of dividing the basins are spreading myths, including the idea that electric barriers on a Chicago-area shipping canal have proven effective at blocking the carp's path to Lake Michigan.

Fisheries specialist Bill Taylor of Michigan State University said Thursday that eliminating the man-made connection between the lakes and the Mississippi would be expensive, but in the long run would be cheaper than dealing with more species invasions.

A group representing Illinois economic interests said the scientific paper was biased.