Rep. David Law offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 255.

            A resolution to encourage the other Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario to enact legislation similar to 2005 PA 33 regulating ballast water discharges into the Great Lakes by oceangoing vessels.

            Whereas, Since the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, more than 30 aquatic invasive species have been introduced into the Great Lakes from ballast water discharges by oceangoing ships. Despite federal regulations, oceangoing ships entering the Great Lakes continue to introduce one to two new species, with potentially devastating impacts, into the Great Lakes each year; and

            Whereas, The Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario share a common interest in preventing new introductions of aquatic invasive species. Once introduced and established, these invaders are nearly impossible to eradicate and can spread from their initial port of introduction throughout the Great Lakes with no respect for jurisdictional boundaries. All the Great Lakes states and provinces must then live with the irrevocable changes to the Great Lakes and costs to contain the damage caused by these exotic plants and animals; and

            Whereas, In the absence of effective and timely federal law, Michigan passed the first state law (2005 PA 33) requiring oceangoing ships to treat their ballast water or refrain from discharging ballast water in Michigan's Great Lakes water. The United States District Court recently dismissed a challenge to Michigan's law by the shipping industry, confirming the power of states to protect their waters; and

            Whereas, Michigan's law is only fully effective at protecting the Great Lakes from aquatic invasive species if the other Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario pass similar legislation. Aquatic invasive species may continue to be introduced into ports outside of Michigan and spread throughout the Great Lakes despite Michigan's efforts to require ballast water treatment; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we encourage the other Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario to enact legislation similar to 2005 PA 33 regulating ballast water discharges into the Great Lakes by oceangoing vessels; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and the premier of Ontario.