Corps quickens pace on Asian carp study

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Obama administration officials say a new timetable developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should speed up the search for a permanent method of protecting the Great Lakes from Asian carp and other invasive species.

Officials said Tuesday the corps will present a short list of options by the end of 2013 for preventing the carp and other fish from migrating between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through waterways in the Chicago area. Congress will have the authority to make a final choice.

The corps previously said it would develop a single recommendation by late 2015, drawing criticism from members of Congress and state officials who said that wasn't fast enough.

White House Asian carp director John Goss said the change could bring a quicker solution.