The history of zebra mussels invading the Great Lakes provides a good lesson for the current efforts to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes.

Read more from Jeff Alexander, author of Pandora's Locks, on the National Wildlife Federation's blog.

American philosopher George Santayana once made a chilling comment about those who forget the lessons of history, saying: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Santayana's comment is particular relevant considering the current, frantic effort to keep Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes.

A heated debate is brewing over whether to close locks in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan and, ultimately, colonizing all the Great Lakes. Shipping interests argue that closing the canal would hurt their industry.

The question at hand is whether dramatic -- perhaps radical -- action is needed to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. That's where history can teach government officials an important lesson.

Read the full article at the National Wildlife Federation's blog.

Jeff Alexander is an award winning author and a former environmental journalist. He covered Great Lakes issues for the past 20 years for several Michigan newspapers, most recently for The Muskegon Chronicle. He currently works for the National Wildlife Federation.

Jennifer Janssen is a contributor from the Great Lakes Regional Center of the National Wildlife Federation. She writes about connecting with nature, supporting solutions to climate change and protecting the Great Lakes. She can be reached at janssenj@nwf.org.