SR-58, As Adopted by Senate, June 8, 2011

            Senator Hansen offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 58.

            A resolution commemorating June 11-19, 2011, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in Michigan.

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

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

            Whereas, Michigan has taken the lead in 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; and

            Whereas, Over 180 nonindigenous aquatic invasive species have been introduced to the Great Lakes, 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 1 million registered boaters and many other recreational, commercial, and industrial users of over 46,000 lakes and ponds and over 76,000 miles of streams in the state, many of which are impacted by aquatic invasive species; and

            Whereas, Aquatic invasive species awareness is an important first step towards 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 government to join forces with business, industry, environmental groups, community organizations, and citizens to take action against the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby commemorate June 11-19, 2011, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week; and be it further

            Resolved, That all citizens are encouraged to increase their understanding and awareness of aquatic invasive species and their ecological and economic impacts and take preventive measures to stop the spread and introduction of aquatic invasive species; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Transportation, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Michigan congressional delegation, and the Great Lakes Commission.