Bill Text: MI HR0239 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the President of the United States to ensure that recreational fishing and boating are national priorities in the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force's final report and to recognize the primacy of state management in the Great Lakes region.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2010-05-05 - Adopted [HR0239 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2009-HR0239-Introduced.html
Reps. Sheltrown, Wayne Schmidt, Hansen, Lahti, Mayes, Meadows, Ball, Barnett, Terry Brown, Denby, Griffin, Robert Jones, Knollenberg, Kowall, Lori, Rogers, Tyler and Valentine offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 239.
A resolution to urge the President of the United States to ensure that recreational fishing and boating are national priorities in the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force's final report and to recognize the primacy of state management in the Great Lakes region.
Whereas, Recreational fishing and boating are a vital part of our nation's heritage and have a significant impact on employment, the economy, and the quality of life in this country. Recreational fishing is a $125 billion industry, enjoyed by more than 60 million anglers and supporting over a million jobs nationwide; and
Whereas, Nearly 1.5 million Michigan residents and visitors enjoy fishing on Michigan's rivers, inland lakes, and Great Lakes. Each year, recreational anglers pour an estimated $1.7 billion into Michigan's economy, accounting for over 27,000 jobs; and
Whereas, President Obama has created an Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend a national policy for our nation's oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. The task force has generated two interim reports with recommendations, including recommendations for a federally led process to plan future use and management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources; and
Whereas, The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force has not clearly recognized recreational fishing and boating as a national priority for the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes in its interim reports. Providing the angling public with access to public resources is no less important than, and not mutually exclusive with, conserving those resources. Without proper recognition, recreational fishing opportunities could become more limited, curtailed, or even potentially eliminated in many areas; and
Whereas, The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force has not properly recognized the role of the states in managing the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes states have jurisdiction over the Great Lakes and the lead role in managing Great Lakes resources. The interim report appears to create the potential for a larger federal role in managing the lakes, potentially infringing on state sovereignty. The maintenance of state management is imperative to maintaining efficient resource management that is responsive to recreational anglers and all other resources users; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the President of the United States to ensure that recreational fishing and boating are national priorities in the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force's final report and to recognize the primacy of state management 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, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
