Reps. Palsrok, Brandenburg, Casperson, DeRossett, Ehardt, Farhat, Gillard, Gleason, Hager, Hoogendyk, Howell, Huizenga, Jamnick, Julian, Kooiman, Law, Milosch, Minore, Murphy, Newell, Richardville, Sak, Shaffer, Stakoe, Tabor, Vander Veen and Shulman offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 280.

            A resolution to urge the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Natural Resources, the Office of the Great Lakes, the Governor, and the Great Lakes Commission to work closely with the newly created Great Lakes Interagency Task Force.

            Whereas, Citing the Great Lakes as a national treasure, an economic engine, and a recreational haven, the President has created the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force to build on the progress that has been made in protecting and restoring this unique resource.  The task force, which is to be chaired by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, will address environmental challenges facing the Great Lakes and coordinate efforts of local, state, and tribal officials and citizen groups engaged in this work; and

            Whereas, With 90 percent of the surface freshwater of the United States and a fifth of the world's accessible freshwater, the Great Lakes clearly ought to be of the utmost concern to our nation.  With 30 million Americans and Canadians relying on the lakes for drinking water and even more people impacted by the economic role the lakes play, the quality of the Great Lakes is a critical national issue.  Threats from pollution and invasive species cannot be ignored or obscured by the many layers of governments that have direct responsibilities.  Fittingly, the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force will also work closely with Canadian officials to determine its priorities and make recommendations; and

            Whereas, Efforts to better coordinate the work of protecting the Great Lakes represent a wise investment, as does the Great Lakes Legacy Act.  It is essential that Michigan officials work closely with the task force to maximize its impact on improving our greatest natural resource; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Natural Resources, the Office of the Great Lakes, the Governor, and the Great Lakes Commission to work closely with the newly created Great Lakes Interagency Task Force; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Natural Resources, the Office of the Great Lakes, the Office of the Governor, and the Great Lakes Commission.