Sixty-three percent of Minnesota voters are concerned about Asian carp spreading into state rivers and lakes, according to a new public opinion poll commissioned by a coalition of groups fighting to keep the carp from advancing up the Mississippi River.
On the key policy question of closing the locks that allow boats to move up and down the river at Minneapolis, 63 percent of the voters responding to the poll favored the closure. But only 42 percent favored using tax dollars to compensate a handful of businesses that would be forced to use more-expensive truck or rail transportation if the locks were closed.
Fifty-eight percent supported asking recreational boaters to voluntarily quit using the locks.
The poll of 404 registered voters was conducted June 27 to June 30.
Learn more about the issue and about the Stop Carp Coalition, which commissioned the poll. Read the poll questions and responses.