Bill Text: MI SR0071 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Enrolled

Michigan Senate Resolution 71 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: A resolution commemorating June 8-16, 2013, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 18-4)

Status: (Passed) 2013-06-12 - Adopted [SR0071 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2013-SR0071-Enrolled.html

SR-71, As Adopted by Senate, June 12, 2013

Senators Walker, Hansen, Casperson, Brandenburg, Green, Meekhof, Schuitmaker, Hildenbrand, Moolenaar, Pavlov, Proos, Booher, Ananich, Warren, Bieda, Kowall and Jansen offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 71.

A resolution commemorating June 8-16, 2013, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Michigan and its economy are defined by the Great Lakes and depend on its great abundance of fresh water for manufacturing, tourism, fishing, public water supplies, agriculture, and numerous other uses; and

Whereas, Preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species ultimately benefits the state of Michigan, and stopping the introduction of these species would eliminate the need of the state business, industry, and citizens from employing costly methods to control and manage them; and

Whereas, Michigan has taken the lead in protecting the Great Lakes from aquatic invasive species from a number of pathways, including ballast water, canals and waterways, organisms in trade, and recreational activities; and

Whereas, Over 180 nonindigenous aquatic invasive species have been introduced to the Great Lakes, many of which are displacing native species, disrupting habitats, and degrading natural, managed, and agricultural landscapes, resulting in millions of dollars for control efforts each year; and

Whereas, Michigan has over 1 million registered boaters and many other recreational, commercial, and industrial users of over 11,000 lakes and ponds and over 36,000 miles of streams, many of which are impacted by aquatic invasive species; and

Whereas, Aquatic invasive species awareness is an important first step toward behavior change, which prevents the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; and

Whereas, Spring marks the beginning of water-related recreational activities in Michigan; and

Whereas, Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week is an opportunity for government to join forces with business, industry, environmental groups, community organizations, and citizens to take action against the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; and now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby commemorate June 8-16, 2013, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That all citizens are encouraged to increase their understanding and awareness of aquatic invasive species and their ecological and economic impacts, and take preventative measures to stop the spread and introduction of aquatic invasive species; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Transportation, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Michigan congressional delegation, and Great Lakes Commission.