SCR-12, As Adopted by Senate, June 5, 2007

            Senators Birkholz, Allen, Kuipers, Jansen, Patterson, Stamas, Van Woerkom, Gilbert, Hardiman, Brown, Pappageorge, Cropsey, Cassis, Richardville, Jelinek, Kahn, Garcia, George, Sanborn, Gleason, Cherry, Brater, Barcia, Whitmer, Hunter, Scott, Thomas, Schauer, Switalski, Jacobs, Clark-Coleman, Basham and Anderson offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 12.

            A concurrent resolution to urge Michigan's congressional delegation to secure supplemental funding to control the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia in fish populations.

            Whereas, Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) is a nonnative fish disease, potentially affecting at least 37 fish species living in the Great Lakes region. Introduced to the Great Lakes in the last five years, VHS causes often fatal internal and external hemorrhaging in fish, including trout, salmon, and other important species. Beginning in 2005, large fish kills in Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River, the Detroit River, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River have been attributed to VHS; and

            Whereas, VHS threatens Michigan's vibrant recreational and commercial fishery. Michigan's fishery is a $4.5 billion industry. Each year, nearly 1.4 million people fish in Michigan, including nearly 400,000 nonresidents, contributing more than $800 million directly to Michigan's economy. VHS could undermine this fishery by reducing the available catch as well as scaring away anglers even though infected fish are safe to eat; and

            Whereas, Immediate funding is needed to help federal and state officials take appropriate actions to slow the spread and limit the impact of VHS to the Great Lakes fishery. Funding to support surveillance, enforcement, outreach, research, and other activities is vital to contain VHS and give time for Michigan and the other Great Lakes states and provinces to develop effective management strategies; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge Michigan's congressional delegation to secure supplemental funding to control the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia within the Great Lakes and prevent its spread to Michigan's inland lakes, rivers, and aquaculture facilities; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.