Bill Text: MI HR0245 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to express opposition to a federal takeover of the Great Lakes.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 14-2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-15 - Referred To Committee On Great Lakes And Environment [HR0245 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2009-HR0245-Introduced.html
Reps. Walsh, Haveman, Haines, Knollenberg, Bolger, Crawford, Daley, Hansen, LeBlanc, Liss, Lund, Meekhof, Pearce, Rogers, Wayne Schmidt and Tyler offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 245.
A resolution to express opposition to a federal takeover of the Great Lakes.
Whereas, A federal task force has proposed new policies that could ultimately lead to a federal takeover of the Great Lakes. The Interagency Task Force on Ocean Policy's Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning proposes regional planning and management overseen by a National Ocean Council with no state representation. Such a move would infringe on the Great Lakes states' rights to manage their natural resources; and
Whereas, The Great Lakes states and provinces have demonstrated for decades their ability to manage the Great Lakes collaboratively. They understand how important the Great Lakes are to the region's livelihood and that the actions taken by any state or province can affect the other states and provinces. The states and provinces have created regional structures, such as the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and regional agreements, such as the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and Agreement, to facilitate joint management of the lakes for the greater benefit of the region; and
Whereas, the proposed system would potentially replace this successful management model with a distant and inaccessible federal bureaucracy. The 23 federal departments, agencies, and offices that would comprise the National Ocean Council answer to the President, not the states. Decision-making for the Great Lakes could be delayed or impeded in a lengthy federal process with decisions made by federal bureaucrats far removed from the region's economic or environmental priorities, with no vested interest in the well-being of the lakes, and who do not have to answer to the states; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we express opposition to a federal takeover of the Great Lakes and urge the U.S. Congress to reject any proposed takeover; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
