Bill Text: MI SR0069 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to designate August 19, 2019, as Michigan Water Trails Day.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-08-28 - Adopted [SR0069 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-SR0069-Introduced.html
senate resolution no.69
Senator Lauwers offered the following resolution:
A resolution to designate August 19, 2019, as Michigan Water Trails Day.
Whereas, Michigan has more miles of Great Lakes coastline than any other state and thousands of miles of rivers and streams; and
Whereas, The use of waterways for transportation in Michigan is not new. Native Americans first used them for sustenance and trade, early European settlers used them to transport goods and timber water. Such resources were the foundation of Michigan’s earliest manufacturing and shipping industries; and
Whereas, Michigan has over 4,700 miles of water trails, traversing some of Michigan’s most remote and natural environments as well as some of the state’s most industrial and urban environments. These water trails exist along Michigan's Great Lakes coastline, connecting to water trails in other states and provinces throughout the Great Lakes basin; and
Whereas, Water trails help support and promote environmental awareness and stewardship of Michigan’s waterways and water quality; and
Whereas, A water trail is a designated route on a navigable waterway such as a lake, river, canal, or bay, that is designed and managed to create a positive outdoor recreation experience for the user; and
Whereas, Water trails also feature well-developed access points, often near significant historical, environmental, or cultural points of interest, and often have nearby amenities like restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds; and
Whereas, Paddling Michigan's waterways for recreation and other purposes has been a part of Michigan's long history. Paddle sports are one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in the nation, contributing more than $140 million to Michigan’s economy; and
Whereas, A formal state water trail and designation program was recently established by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources working in conjunction with local paddle groups, local units of government, the Land and Information Access Association, the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, and other non-profit partners to designate and support existing water trails and help solidify best practices and standards for future water trail development; and
Whereas, Eight waterways totaling 540-plus miles that flow through more than a dozen counties have been selected as the first state-designated water trails in Michigan, which include all of the following:
·Central River Raisin Water Trail, 11 miles in Monroe County;
·Chain of Lakes Water Trail, more than 80 miles in Antrim and Kalkaska counties;
·Huron River Water Trail, 104 miles in Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties;
·Island Loop Route, 10 miles in St. Clair County;
·Flint River Trail, 72 miles in Genesee and Lapeer counties;
·Middle Grand River Water Trail, 87 miles in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Ionia counties;
·Shiawassee River Trail, 88 miles in Genesee, Oakland, Saginaw and Shiawassee counties;
·Upper Grand River Water Trail, 91 miles in Eaton, Ingham and Jackson counties; and
Whereas, Outdoor recreation-based tourism is experiencing major growth right now. Designating these rivers as official water trails shines an even brighter light on our incredible natural resources; and
Whereas, Highlighting water trail opportunities in Michigan will encourage more outdoor recreation and healthier lifestyles and also serve as regional destinations that will give a boost to local economies; and
Whereas, With Michigan leading the nation in land-based trail mileage and the unmatched water resources we have, celebrating our water trails is another important step we can take to provide our citizens with a world-class trail system; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize and celebrate water trails as this new component of the nation’s leading trail program, while establishing August 19, 2019, as Michigan Water Trails Day.
