HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2007.10.04 - 9362Miscellaneous Resolution # 07260
BY: Commissioners Jim Nash. District 415, David W. Potts, District 420, Tim Burns,
District 419, Karen Spector, District 416, David Woodward, District 418, Eric Coleman,
District #23, Helaine Zack, District 422, David Coulter, District 425, Marcia Gershenson,
District #17, David Greimel, District #11
RE: Board of Commissioners — Support of the Great Lakes, Great Michigan Platform: A
Bipartisan Legislative Package to Protect Michigan's Water for Future Generations
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS increasing global demand for fresh water will pit in-state water users against water
takers; and
WHEREAS Michigan's water resources are a vital part of the state's identity and heritage, a
major source of economic wealth, important to tourism, and critical to human health as a source
of drinking water; and
WHEREAS the Great Lakes are under increasing pressure from conflicting human uses, invasive
species and climate change; and
WHEREAS all waters should be held in trust for the public, that includes surface water.
wetlands, streams and groundwater; all of which are vital to the health of our economy. drinking
water supply, recreation and ecosystems: and
WHEREAS protection for water resources must acknowled ge that ecosystems function as a unit:
their health depends on the interrelationship of streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater.
Therefore, state laws must ensure protection of the system as a whole; and
WHEREAS public participation and input into water use decisions must be elevated. Local
actions and voices must figure prominently into decisions; and
WHEREAS large-scale water users should be required to use water efficiently and evaluate
conservation measures to protect water resources from the uncertainties of drought, climate
change and overuse; and
WHEREAS large-scale water users must be carefully examined to assess their impact on a river
or stream. Any new water bottling plant should also be carefully examined, and the impacts on
its neighbors studied and approved only if the public is truly protected; and
WHEREAS the Great Lakes will only truly be protected when all users join in efforts to protect
it and restore degraded waterways; and
WHEREAS a broad coalition of lakes defenders have proposed strong new measures, known as
the Great Lakes, Great Michigan platform. to keep Michigan's water from being shipped out of
the Great Lakes and protect Michigan's lakes, rivers and streams from the impacts of water
withdrawal; and
Commissionci\David W. Potts
District #20
WHEREAS as the Great Lakes, Great Michigan platform calls for comprehensive water use
laws that will make Michigan a leader in water conservation by:
1) Extending Public Trust Doctrine to all water
2) Preventing adverse impacts to Michigan's water and wetlands
3) Promoting meaningful conservation
4) Strengthening permitting process for water withdrawals
5) Supporting greater community involvement
6) Investing into Michigan's water through restoration efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
affirms that the policy reforms set forth by the Great Lakes, Great Michigan Coalition are needed
to ensure Michigan plays a leadership role in the protection of the Great Lakes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that that Oakland County Board of Commission supports the
Michigan House of Representatives Bi-Partisan Water Protection Package of 2007, as proposed
on July 2, 2007, which includes House Bills:
5065 - Amend Definitions to Strengthen Protections
5066 - Water Conservation Measures and Registration and Reporting Changes
5067 - Strengthen Enforcement
5068 - Strengthen Environmental Review and Public Interest Protections
5069 - Authorization of Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool
5070 - Enhance Public Participation in Protecting Water Resources
5071 - Strengthen Environmental and Public Interest Protections for New Municipal Water
Supplies
5072 - Strengthen Environmental and Public Interest Protections for Bottled Water
5073 - Provide the Department of Environmental Quality Rule making Authority
4343 - Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward a copy of
this adopted resolution to all the Michigan House and Senate Delegation representatives of
Oakland County, the Michigan Association of Counties and the legislative lobbyists for Oakland
County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Commission lobbyist be instructed to
work towards the adoption of this legislations
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution,
t
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CO-Mmissioner Jim Nash
Dtrict #15
Commissioner Tim Burns
District #19
VeLez:
Commissioner Fre/lame Zack
District #22
Coinmissi
District #16
aren Spector
Eric Coleman
District #23
ComMissioner David Coulter
District #25
Commissioner David Woodward
District # I S
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Resolution #07260 November 1, 2007
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Planning and Building Committee. There were no
objections.