September 19, 2012, Introduced by Senator MOOLENAAR and referred to the Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.
A bill to provide for the designation of Iosco county as the
birding capital of the state; and to prescribe the powers and
duties of certain state agencies and officials.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. The legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) That the national Audubon society has designated the
following 3 areas within Iosco county as important bird areas:
(i) The scenic byway along the AuSable river for wintering
trumpeter swans.
(ii) Management areas within the county for nesting Kirtland's
warblers.
(iii) Tawas point, which provides critical habitat for the
spring migration of a variety of bird species.
(b) That Iosco county contains a large nesting population of
the endangered Kirtland's warbler.
(c) That Iosco county contains a large population of nesting
bald eagles.
(d) That Iosco county contains the only identified nesting
populations of the endangered piping plover on the west side of
Lake Huron.
(e) That Iosco county has held the annual meeting of the
Michigan Audubon society.
(f) That the designation of areas in the state where
significant numbers of rare birds and critical habitat for birds
are found will promote tourism and economic development and the
population of birds and bird habitat in the state.
Sec. 2. In acknowledgment of the legislature's findings and
declarations under section 1, Iosco county is designated as the
birding capital of the state.
Sec. 3. The department of natural resources and travel
Michigan shall promote Iosco county as the birding capital of the
state in their promotion of statewide natural resources and tourism
opportunities.