Reps. Pavlov, Farhat, Acciavatti, Hansen, Booher, David Law, Schuitmaker, Baxter, Nitz, Moore, Mortimer, Palsrok, Walker, Accavitti, Ball, Bieda, Brandenburg, Byrnes, Caul, Donigan, Gillard, Hildenbrand, Kooiman, LaJoy, Leland, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Marleau, Meyer, Palmer, Pastor, Pearce, Plakas, Proos, Rocca, Shaffer, Alma Smith, Stahl, Stakoe, Taub, Tobocman, Vander Veen, Wojno, Zelenko and Jones offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 143.

            A resolution to urge the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration and the United States Congress to implement the Action Plan to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes.

            Whereas, Over 40 percent of the Great Lakes are under Michigan’s jurisdiction and the Great Lakes contain 95 percent of North America’s fresh surface water; and

            Whereas, The Great Lakes affect all aspects of life in Michigan and are inextricably linked to Michigan’s history, culture, and economy.  The Great Lakes have for thousands of years supported native communities' culture and way of life; and

            Whereas, The Great Lakes fuel Michigan’s tourism and recreation industry.  Recreational fishing alone adds $1.4 billion annually to the state’s economy; and

            Whereas, The state of Michigan has historically been a leader in protecting the Great Lakes, including efforts to regulate ballast water discharges that could harbor invasive species and to eliminate the disposal of dangerous contaminants in the Great Lakes; and

            Whereas, Despite Michigan’s efforts, the Great Lakes are ailing from a multitude of stressors, including aquatic invasive species, toxic contamination of river and lake sediments, partially or inadequately treated sewage discharges, pollution from nonpoint sources, and coastal habitat loss.  Combined, these stressors will have long-lasting effects on the Great Lakes, Michigan’s economy, and our way of life; and

            Whereas, There has been an unprecedented collaborative effort on the part of 1,500 people representing federal, state, and local governments, Native American tribes, nongovernmental entities, and private citizens to develop an Action Plan to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes; and

            Whereas, Implementation of the action plan can restore the ecology of the Great Lakes and avert impending environmental threats to the region; and

            Whereas, The action plan includes recommendations that call on the states and federal government to take substantial new steps jointly in the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration and the United States Congress to take prompt action to finalize, endorse, implement, and invest in the Action Plan to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes; and be it further

            Resolved, That we intend for the state of Michigan to continue its proud tradition of Great Lakes stewardship and fulfill its commitment to restoring the Great Lakes by taking substantial steps and, whenever practical, match federal funding to implement the Action Plan to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes; 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, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the Great Lakes Commission, the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, the International Joint Commission, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.