HCR28, As Adopted by Senate, March 4, 2010

            Substitute for House Concurrent Resolution No. 28

            A concurrent resolution to urge the United States Congress to continue to provide funding in the coming years for cleaning up the Great Lakes and protecting them from invasive species.

            Whereas, The Great Lakes contain more than 18 percent of the world's, and more than 90 percent of North America's, fresh surface water and provide drinking water to nearly 10 million Michigan residents; and

            Whereas, Michigan and its economy are defined by the Great Lakes and depend on its abundance of freshwater for manufacturing, tourism, fishing, public water supplies, agriculture, and numerous other uses. The Great Lakes provide Michigan with 823,000 jobs that represent nearly 25 percent of Michigan's payroll; and

            Whereas, The health of the Great Lakes is jeopardized by threats such as toxic contamination, wetlands degradation, sewage overflows, and invasive species. Inaction or delay in confronting these threats will make the problems worse and the solutions more costly; and

            Whereas, Regional and state restoration plans are ready for implementation to address these threats. The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration proposed a multi-year strategy of implementable solutions to restore and protect the Great Lakes and to overcome the hurdles facing them. The Michigan Great Lakes Plan provides a framework for protecting, restoring, and sustaining Michigan's Great Lakes; and

            Whereas, Congress has appropriated $475 million in federal money to initiate a multi-year effort to protect and restore our Great Lakes, consistent with the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy's recommendations. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will fund on-the-ground work to cleanup toxic hotspots, restore habitat, and combat invasive species; and

            Whereas, More than $20 billion will be needed over the next 15 years to implement fully the regional strategy. While the $475 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a tremendous start, similar funding will be needed for many years to restore the Great Lakes to their full grandeur; and

            Whereas, A substantial investment in the Great Lakes system's health will create jobs and improve Michigan's quality of life. In 2008, Michigan Sea Grant determined that a $25 billion investment in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy would create $7 billion to $13 billion in short-term economic gains for Michigan from increases in tourism, the fishing industry, and recreational activity, reduced costs to municipalities, and increased property values in coastal areas; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we urge the United States Congress to make a long-term commitment to the Great Lakes and continue to provide funding in the coming years for cleaning up the Great Lakes and protecting them from invasive species; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.