Bill Text: MI SCR0011 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A concurrent resolution to express opposition to the President's proposal to make major cuts to funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and to memorialize the U.S. Congress to reject the reductions.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 13-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-02 - Referred To Committee On Natural Resources, Environment And Great Lakes [SCR0011 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-SCR0011-Introduced.html
Senators Hansen, Walker, Casperson, Proos, Booher, Hildenbrand, Meekhof and Jones offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11.
A concurrent resolution to express opposition to the President's proposal to make major cuts to funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and to memorialize the U.S. Congress to reject the reductions.
Whereas, The Great Lakes are our most valuable natural resource and the centerpiece of our communities. We must ensure that we preserve and strengthen the lakes not only for our quality of life, but also as a tremendous economic asset to our state and the seven other Great Lakes states. A recent study of Michigan charter fishing demonstrates the economic importance of the lakes. The charter fishing industry has contributed nearly $400 million to coastal communities along the state's four Great Lakes over the past 20 years; and
Whereas, The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a critical program investing in the future of the Great Lakes and our state. This five-year, $2.2 billion program is a significant first step in implementing the restoration strategy developed under the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration. The collaboration was an unprecedented effort by regional leaders, stakeholders, and citizens to develop a unified strategy to protect and restore the majesty of these national treasures; and
Whereas, The first year of federal funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has helped support nearly 300 projects that will protect the environment and remove impediments to economic growth. These projects will help clean up toxic hot spots along the Great Lakes shoreline that contribute to high contaminant levels in fish, prevent sewer discharges that foul beaches and threaten drinking water supplies, and keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. However, this initial investment only represents 2 percent of the funding needed to restore the Great Lakes; and
Whereas, After only its first year, the President has proposed more than a 25 percent cut in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in both FY 2011 and FY 2012. While understanding the need to rein in the federal budget, budget cuts of this magnitude could stall current restoration efforts. The initiative must remain a priority for future funding; and
Whereas, Every dollar invested in the Great Lakes creates new jobs and enhances economic development opportunities. In 2007, the Brookings Institution estimated that fully implementing the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration strategy would produce a return of two to four times on the investment from increased short-term and long-term economic activity, including $7 billion to $13 billion of short-term economic gains for Michigan; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we express opposition to the President's proposal to make major cuts to funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and memorialize the U.S. Congress to reject the reductions; 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, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
