As adopted by senate, June 20, 2019

senate resolution no.67

Senator VanderWall, Alexander, Ananich, Brinks, Bullock, Geiss, Hollier, Johnson, Lucido, MacDonald, McCann, McMorrow, Polehanki, Santana and Wojno offered the following resolution:

A resolution to recognize June 30-July 7, 2019, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week.

Whereas, Michigan and its economy are defined by the Great Lakes and depend on its great abundance of fresh water for manufacturing, tourism, fishing, public water supplies, agriculture, as well as its numerous other uses; and

Whereas, Preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species ultimately benefits Michigan, and stopping the introduction of these species would eliminate the need for the state, its businesses, industries, and citizens from employing costly methods to control and manage them; and

Whereas, Michigan is protecting the Great Lakes from aquatic invasive species from a number of pathways including ballast water, canals and waterways, organisms in trade, and recreational activities such as boating and angling; and

Whereas, Over 180 nonindigenous aquatic species are established in the Great Lakes basin, many of which are displacing native species, disrupting habitats, and degrading natural, managed, and agricultural landscapes, resulting in millions of dollars for control efforts each year; and

Whereas, Michigan has over 900,000 registered boaters and many other recreational, commercial, and industrial users of over 11,000 inland lakes and over 36,000 miles of rivers and streams in the state, many of which are impacted by aquatic invasive species; and

Whereas, Aquatic invasive species awareness is an important first step toward behavior change, which prevents the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; and

Whereas, Spring marks the beginning of water-related recreational activities in Michigan; and

Whereas, Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week is an opportunity for our state government to join forces with businesses, industries, environmental groups, community organizations, citizens, and the other Great Lakes states and provinces to take action against the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize June 30-July 7, 2019, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week; and be it further

Resolved, That all citizens must increase their understanding and awareness of aquatic invasive species, their environmental and economic impacts, and take preventative measures to stop the spread and introduction of aquatic invasive species; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Transportation, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Michigan Congressional Delegation, and Great Lakes Commission.