SR-23, As Adopted by Senate, April 22, 2015

 

 

            Substitute for Senate Resolution No. 23.

            A resolution to call on the Obama Administration and the Congress of the United States to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fully support efforts to determine the best long-term solution for preventing Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes and to move decisively to implement a solution.

            Whereas, The Great Lakes are one of our nation's great natural wonders. Bordering Michigan and seven other states, these inland seas contain nearly one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water. They support jobs in manufacturing, tourism, recreation, shipping, agriculture, science, engineering, energy, and mining throughout the region. The protection of the Great Lakes is essential to Michigan's state identity and economy as well as national economic growth; and

            Whereas, Asian carp pose an imminent threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy. Asian carp have successfully invaded the Mississippi River basin and now stand only 50 miles downstream from the Great Lakes. Asian carp can reproduce rapidly, consume large quantities of food, disrupt local ecosystems, out-compete native fish, and devastate recreational fishing and boating opportunities. There is general scientific consensus that Asian carp will be able to establish populations and thrive in areas of the Great Lakes. Once established, they will be difficult, if not impossible, to control or eradicate. Thus, the federal government has recognized Asian carp as "the most acute [aquatic invasive species] threat facing the Great Lakes today"; and

            Whereas, A permanent, long-term solution must be identified and implemented to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study identified a number of solutions, it stopped short of determining the best option. Regional efforts to reach consensus on a solution, such as those of the Chicago Area Waterway System Advisory Committee, must be supported and recommendations seriously considered; and

            Whereas, The best long-term solution will prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes while preserving as much as possible the current uses of the Chicago area waterways. Although effective Asian carp prevention is paramount and should not be compromised, the value, impacts, and costs to the barge industry must also be taken into account; and

            Whereas, Regardless of the means, immediate and decisive action is required to protect the Great Lakes. The status quo will not prevent irreparable harm. Asian carp could cause billions of dollars in lost revenues and thousands of lost jobs in the $7 billion sports and commercial fishing industry and the $9 billion recreational boating industry. In addition, damage done to the Great Lakes, rivers, and inland lakes by Asian carp would greatly harm our state's viability as an attractive vacation destination, thereby leading to decreased tourism revenue and jobs; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we call on the Obama Administration and the Congress of the United States to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fully support efforts to determine the best long-term solution for preventing Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes; and be it further

            Resolved, That we urge the Obama Administration and Congress to provide sufficient funding that will ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers moves decisively to implement a solution; and be it further

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