Senators Van Woerkom, Birkholz, Barcia, Prusi, Stamas, Jelinek, Gilbert, Brown, Allen, Jansen, Whitmer and Gleason offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 224.

            A resolution to urge the Great Lake states, including the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, to coordinate a regional response to chronic wasting disease and to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase its assistance to the states on this issue.

            Whereas, Since its identification in Colorado in the late 1960s in captive mule deer as a fatal wasting syndrome and in the wild in elk in 1981, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has emerged as a significant threat to the health of deer, elk, and other cervids. While most frequently found in the tri-state area of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado, this fatal condition has extended far beyond that part of the country. It has been identified in the Canadian west and as far east as New York state. In the Great Lakes region, a large number of cases have been identified in Wisconsin; and

            Whereas, The August 2008 announcement of the discovery of a case of CWD in a captive deer in Kent County has generated considerable discussion about deer herd management strategies in Michigan. In addition to the potential impact of this case on hunting with the imposition of an immediate ban on baiting, there is an increased awareness of the need to pursue the best policies and practices not only within Michigan, but across the region; and

            Whereas, It is vital that the states coordinate their activities and findings to the greatest extent possible. Clearly, the most effective protections cannot be established without strong cooperation and collaboration; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Great Lake states, including the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, to coordinate a regional response to chronic wasting disease and to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase its assistance to the states on this issue; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the governors of the Great Lake states, the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.