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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 (--- 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 Cormlissioner Districit Commissioner District # 2 I -1 Commissioner District # \ Commission District # // .17 4.4Ary Commissioner District ve Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District 4 District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #07260 November 1, 2007 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Planning and Building Committee. There were no objections.