Projects to keep destructive Asian carp out of the great lakes, help prevent sewage overflows, and clean up polluted rivers and beaches will now move forward thanks to bipartisan support to override President George Bush’s veto of the federal Water Resources Development Act.
Critics said that bill was just more pork barrell spending from Washington. But, for once, some of that pork barrell money is coming home to Michigan.
U.S. Rep Candace Miller, R-Macomb County, offered a blunt rebuff to the president and a strong argument for how closely Michigan’s economic future is tied to the Great Lakes…
“There is nothing more important to the identity and economy of the state of Michigan than our magnificent Great Lakes. And now our lakes face significant challenges that threaten their health today and for future generations… We are experiencing historically low water levels that reduce the amount of cargo that freighters can carry, which is putting serious strain on our industrial economy. These low levels also disrupt local recreational harbors that are critical to tourism, another vital part of the Michigan economy. In addition, we have seen numerous invasive species enter our lakes and threaten the delicate ecosystem… Enough is enough. It’s time for every public official and citizen to stand up to protect our Great Lakes.”
So, Michigan’s elected leaders in Washington came through on this one.
Next up, it’s Lansing’s turn.
The futures of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality remain in limbo because of legislative ignorance and mostly out-of-state dogma.
As the Center for Michigan outlined in last month in a nationwide study of hunting and fishing license fees, Michigan outdoors enthusiasts are receiving an unsustainable bargain.
“If you’ve wondered why Michigan legislators haven’t voted to allow the Department of Natural Resources to raise the fees for hunting and fishing licenses, the answer is simple. The National Rifle Association won’t let them,” says Freep Outdoors Writer Eric Sharp. “…The NRA has no business holding Michigan’s hunting and fishing future hostage to its political ambitions. If you want to increase the number of hunters and anglers in this state, the way to do that is not by crippling the only agency that can take the steps to create those increases.
Who knows more about Michigan’s natural resources and how much money it will take to protect them? The NRA? Or a team of many outdoors groups, including hunters and anglers, who worked with the DNR for many months to study how best to fund natural resource and outdoors programs. We’ll side with thd DNR on this one.
There’s some talk in Lansing of setting aside some sales tax revenue to clear up the DNR and DEQ budget deficits. No matter where the money comes from, the Legislature must follow the lead of our water-minded Congressional delegation and take care of the state’s natural resources. The alternatives, as the DNR has outlined very clearly for many months, are terrible for Michigan’s future.
