Bill Text: MI HR0158 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the federal government to support strong ballast water rules and efforts at Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent and control the introduction and spread of invasive species in the Great Lakes region.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 33-2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-09-12 - Referred To Committee On Natural Resources And Outdoor Recreation [HR0158 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0158-Introduced.html
house Resolution No.158
Reps. Hood, Garza, Coleman, Haadsma, Witwer, Whitsett, Sowerby, Shannon, Rabhi, Cynthia Johnson, Tate, Gay-Dagnogo, Ellison, Camilleri, Pohutsky, Warren, Sabo, Brixie, Kuppa, Hoadley, Love, Hope, Peterson, Cherry, Greig, Koleszar, VanSingel, Lasinski, Pagan, Brann, Clemente, Wittenberg and Manoogian offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The Great Lakes are a critical resource for our nation and central to the economy, heritage, and quality of life in Michigan and the other seven states within the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes drive a thriving regional economy, directly supporting 1.5 million U.S. jobs and generating $62 billion in wages; and
Whereas, Aquatic invasive species have altered the basic functions of the Great Lakes and its waterways, disrupting fisheries, wildlife, and water supplies. More than 180 non-native invasive species have established themselves in the Great Lakes over the years, costing the region an estimated $100 million per year or more; and
Whereas, Aquatic invasive species are a continuing threat to the Great Lakes and its regional economy and quality of life. Asian carp are on the verge of entering the Great Lakes and are a direct threat to the $7 billion Great Lakes fishing industry. In places in the Illinois River, these invasive fish make up 90 percent of the aquatic life present; and
Whereas, Ballast water carried in ships traversing the Great Lakes can contain non-native invasive species that are introduced and spread with unknown but potentially dire consequences when the ballast water is emptied into the Great Lakes. The impact of zebra and quagga mussels not only on the basic ecology of the Great Lakes but on drinking water systems, power plants, and other water users demonstrates the magnitude of the potential threat from invasive species contained in ballast water; and
Whereas, The installation of technologies at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam would be a major step in ensuring Asian carp and other invasive species do not move into the Great Lakes. The benefits of this project go beyond the Great Lakes and will provide solutions and tools that can be utilized in waterways across the nation to combat invasive species; and
Whereas, Efforts to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes need to move forward as quickly as possible. The threat is imminent, and once invasive species get established in the Great Lakes, there is no way to clean up the problem. These harmful species will be here to stay; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the President and Congress of the United States and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to support, fully fund, and expedite the plan to build new prevention measures at Brandon Road Lock and Dam; and be it further
Resolved, That we memorialize the President and Congress to support strong ballast water rules for every Great Lakes vessel to help stop and control the introduction and spread of invasive species in the Great Lakes region; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the Commanding General and Chief of Engineers of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
