Bill Text: MI SCR0051 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: A concurrent resolution to urge the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Enbridge Energy Partners, and local authorities to respond swiftly and thoroughly to the oil pipeline spill in Marshall Township.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 20-6)
Status: (Passed) 2010-08-18 - Referred To Committee On Great Lakes And Environment [SCR0051 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2009-SCR0051-Engrossed.html
SCR51, As Adopted by Senate, July 28, 2010
Senators Birkholz, George, Nofs, Brown, Richardville, Jelinek, Kahn, Van Woerkom, Jansen, Hardiman, Pappageorge, Cropsey and Bishop offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 51.
A concurrent resolution to urge the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Enbridge Energy Partners, and local authorities to respond swiftly and thoroughly to the oil pipeline spill in Marshall Township.
Whereas, A malfunctioning pipeline has spewed about 840,000 gallons of oil into Talmadge Creek, a tributary of the 166-mile long Kalamazoo River, whose watershed is home to tens of thousands of people in cities such as Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Plainwell, Allegan, and Saugatuck. The oil reached the Kalamazoo River shortly after the spill occurred. A thick layer of oil is now making its way west, leaking past the barriers set up to contain it; and
Whereas, The potential impact of this spill on downriver communities could be significant. Dead fish have already washed up on the banks of the river, and downriver residents can smell the oil as far west as Battle Creek. Some people have been evacuated from their homes, and people have been told not to fish or swim in the river. These are distressing consequences for people who live in downriver communities; and
Whereas, The spill threatens fish and wildlife that depend on the river. The Kalamazoo area thrives with abundant fish and wildlife species, and parts of the river are designated as a "wild scenic river" under the Natural Rivers Protection Program. Oil from this spill could potentially reach all the way to Lake Michigan; and
Whereas, It is imperative that those responsible for the spill, as well as federal, state, and local authorities, act decisively and spare no resource to contain and clean up the oil. Let the response to this spill be a positive example of how federal, state, and local officials can work with a private company to address an environmental emergency. All who live in the Kalamazoo River watershed--both people and wildlife--deserve no less; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Enbridge Energy Partners, and local authorities to respond swiftly and thoroughly to the oil pipeline spill in Marshall Township; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the director of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Board of Directors of Enbridge Energy Partners, and the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department.
