Bill Text: MI HR0159 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the President and Congress of the United States and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to commit to assisting states in reducing nutrient pollution in the western Lake Erie basin by 40 percent by 2025.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 32-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-09-12 - Referred To Committee On Natural Resources And Outdoor Recreation [HR0159 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0159-Introduced.html
house Resolution No.159
Reps. Camilleri, Coleman, Garza, Haadsma, Witwer, Whitsett, Sowerby, Shannon, Rabhi, Cynthia Johnson, Tate, Gay-Dagnogo, Ellison, Pohutsky, Warren, Sabo, Brixie, Kuppa, Hoadley, Love, Hope, Peterson, Cherry, Greig, Koleszar, Lasinski, Pagan, Brann, Clemente, Wittenberg and Manoogian offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Harmful algal blooms threaten drinking water, outdoor recreation, and fish and wildlife in the Great Lakes region. These nutrient-fed toxic outbreaks in western Lake Erie and other areas of the region can impact large areas, with consequences for people's quality of life and for the water-dependent economy of Michigan and the other seven Great Lakes states; and
Whereas, The threat of harmful algal blooms is not hypothetical. Harmful algal blooms in the western Lake Erie basin are increasing in frequency and intensity, impacting Michigan's and Ohio's Great Lakes shoreline and recreation in these areas. Toxins produced by these harmful algal blooms can sicken people and pets exposed through swimming, wading, or boating and contaminate drinking water; and
Whereas, Little progress has been made toward reaching targets for nutrient reduction. Under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the United States and Canada committed to reducing total phosphorus loads to Lake Erie by 40 percent, with Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario committing to hit this target by 2025. These ambitious targets require aggressive action, but unless efforts increase soon, these will end up being empty promises; and
Whereas, The potential for harmful algal blooms will only increase in the future. The continuing trend of higher temperatures and more intense rainfall expected with climate change create a recipe for larger and longer-lasting blooms with consequences for all water users; and
Whereas, States are doing their part to address harmful algal blooms. Michigan and other Great Lakes states have developed action plans to address nutrient pollution in Lake Erie. States need a robust and active federal partner to address the threat from harmful algal blooms; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the President and Congress of the United States and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to commit to assisting states in reducing nutrient pollution in the western Lake Erie basin by 40 percent by 2025 by focusing federal funding, resources, and expertise to the problem while still maintaining the commitment to monitor, report, and reduce nutrient pollution in the other Great Lakes and regional water bodies; 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 Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
