The Obama administration will spend about $50 million in 2012 to shield the Great Lakes from greedy Asian carp and determine whether the destructive fish have established a foothold in Lakes Michigan and Erie.

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to order emergency measures that might prevent Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes, despite a warning that the fish pose a "dire threat" to the region's environment and economy.

Groups have drafted a plan to separate the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River watershed in order to stop the spread of Asian carp.