(AP) -- Legislation has been introduced to speed up research on ways to stop the spread of the invasive Asian carp by permanently separating waterways linking the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes.
Democratic U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Dick Durbin of Illinois introduced the "Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act" Wednesday in the Senate, while Republican Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan introduced it in the House.
The legislation would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete research on so-called hydrological separation within 18 months.
The Army Corps has said research could take up to five years.
The action comes after officials announced last week that an Asian carp was found beyond electric barriers meant to keep them out of the Great Lakes.
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