AQUATIC NUISANCE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
House Bill 6210
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Meyer
Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 7-31-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6210 AS INTRODUCED 6-18-02
The bill would add provisions relating to the "aquatic nuisance rapid response team," which would consist of the directors, or their designees, of the Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Agriculture (MDA), and Natural Resources (DNR), to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Public Act 451 of 1994).
Beginning October 1, 2003, within 30 days after the DEQ, MDA, or DNR received substantiated information of an aquatic nuisance threat (defined to mean the discovery of a new aquatic nuisance species in the waters of the state or a significant geographic proliferation or population increase of an aquatic nuisance species in the waters of the state), the rapid response team would prepare a report describing the threat, the environmental and economic ramifications, and any legislative and other recommendations for addressing the threat. The report would be submitted to the Commission of Natural Resources, Commission of Agriculture, the House and Senate standing committees with jurisdiction over environmental protection, natural resources, and agriculture issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, the governor of each state and the premiere of each Canadian province with territory within the Great Lakes basin, and each domestic dependent sovereign with Indian country within the Great Lakes basin.
By October 1, 2003 and October 1 of each subsequent year, the rapid response team would develop a written inventory of known aquatic nuisance species in the state and submit the inventory to each officer or entity listed above. In preparing the report or inventory, the rapid response team would be permitted to consult with any officers or entities listed above, or any other person.
By January 1, 2003, the directors of the DEQ, MDA, and DNR would enter into a memorandum of understanding providing the procedures necessary to implement the provisions of the bill, including any cost sharing.
In addition, the bill would add genetically engineered aquatic species to the definition of 'aquatic nuisance species', so that the phrase would be defined to mean "a nonindigenous or genetically engineered aquatic species that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent on such waters."
MCL 324.3101
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.