substitute for
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 149
Whereas, The Great Lakes system, including Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and the St. Lawrence River, is a globally significant resource and ecosystem, holding 21 percent of the world's surface freshwater; and
Whereas, The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River provide drinking water to more than 48 million Americans and Canadians and supply 56 billion gallons of water per day for municipal, agricultural, and industrial use; and
Whereas, On September 7, 2012, by signing a revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the United States and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to binational cooperation "to restore, protect, and enhance the water quality of the Great Lakes to promote the ecological health of the Great Lakes basin"; and
Whereas, According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 30 million people live in the Great Lakes basin, equating to 10 percent of U.S. residents and 30 percent of Canadian residents. More than 3,500 species of plants and animals inhabit the Great Lakes basin, including 170-plus species of fish; and
Whereas, An abundant supply of clean, affordable water is essential to support a healthy population, a thriving economy, and a well-functioning ecosystem; and
Whereas, As the major source of water for communities located within the Great Lakes basin, the Great Lakes system is a vital resource in which all the region's residents share a common interest; and
Whereas, The Great Lakes system is an economic powerhouse for the region, supporting industries such as shipping, agriculture, technology, manufacturing, recreation, and tourism; and
Whereas, The waters and shoreline of the Great Lakes system provide exceptional habitat for thousands of species of native mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, and plants; and
Whereas, The Great Lakes basin is home to numerous beaches, parks, forests, harbors, marinas, piers, lighthouses, boardwalks, and islands that provide recreational opportunities for swimming, hiking, surfing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, photography, wildlife watching, and more; and
Whereas, Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes and is home to the world’s longest freshwater coastline and the world’s largest freshwater dune system making the Great Lakes one of our most valuable natural resources, providing water for drinking and industry, shipping of commodities, fishing, and waterborne transportation. Michigan’s beaches helped attract 122.4 million visitors in 2017 who spent $24.7 billion. This generated $2.7 billion in state and local taxes; and
Whereas, People greatly value the opportunity to live, work, and play in areas near waters that are vibrant, beautiful, and life sustaining; and
Whereas, The region's environment, economy, and residents rely on the clean, healthy waters of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 7, 2019, as Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Appreciation Day in Michigan. We urge appropriate observance of this occasion throughout Michigan and the states that share the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River and encourage all Michiganders to learn about the importance of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River to the economy and the environment of Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the governors of Michigan and the states that share the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.