Bill Text: MI HR0013 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to support the Marquette County Road Commission’s appeal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s objection to the planned construction of County Road 595.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-02-24 - Adopted [HR0013 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-HR0013-Enrolled.html
Rep. Kivela offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 13.
A resolution to support the Marquette County Road Commission’s appeal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s objection to the planned construction of County Road 595.
Whereas, The Marquette County Road Commission has the authority to lay out new roads within the county and has been planning to construct County Road 595 since 2011. Both the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives formally expressed their support for these efforts. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality was unable to issue a wetlands permit for the project due to the objection of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A good faith argument exists that the EPA's action was arbitrary, capricious and not based on the law or the facts presented to the agency. The Board of County Road Commissioners plans to appeal the decision in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. The Board has affirmed by resolution that it will only proceed with the appeal if no public funds are expended on the appeal; and
Whereas, The Marquette County Board of Road Commissioners has the mission and duty to provide safe and efficient roads and bridges for motorists in Marquette County and ensure that new projects meet the needs of the community. County Road 595 would be constructed in an environmentally responsible manner to create a primary all-season road that improves emergency, commercial, industrial, and recreational access to an isolated but key area in northwest Marquette County, connecting it to US 41; and
Whereas, The proposed routing of County Road 595 would reduce truck traffic through Marquette County population centers. Mixing heavy commercial truck traffic with personal vehicle traffic in high congestion areas and on local, state, and county roadways is detrimental to the safety of county residents; and
Whereas, Moving forward with the construction of County Road 595 will improve public safety, protect our environment, boost regional economic development, and create jobs, enhancing the natural resources-based industry as well as tourism and recreation. The project has broad and overwhelming bipartisan support from legislators representing Marquette County, the general public, business and labor organizations, conservationists, and traffic safety advocates; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we support the Marquette County Road Commission’s appeal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s objection to the planned construction of County Road 595; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States District Court of the Western District of Michigan, the Governor of the state of Michigan, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the Marquette County Board of Commissioners, and the Marquette County Board of Road Commissioners.
