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MUCC Policy Action Report for June 29, 2007This edition:
TAKE ACTION: Ballast water bill pushing through House of Representatives, but major improvements are needed. Call your Congressperson! The
Coast Guard Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2830), introduced by Congressman
Oberstar (D-MN), passed out of the House Transportation and
Infrastructure committee on June 28th.
This bill contains some of the ballast water treatment provisions that
will help protect the Great Lakes region and the rest of the United
States from invasive species. While
this bill is a good first step and Michigan can thank Congresspersons
Ehlers and Miller who sit on the committee for supporting ballast water
legislation, there are still some major changes that must be made in
order to protect the Great Lakes: 1.
The current bill would give the Secretary of Transportation until 2015
to require the installation of ballast water treatment
technologies. This is too long and we know we can do
better. More invaders are entering our Great Lakes all the
time- the Great Lakes can’t wait another 8 years! 2.
The bill does not require ships classified as having “no
ballast on board” (NOBOB’s) to immediately flush
their tanks in the open ocean, reducing the likelihood that invasive
species reside in the tanks. Instead, the bill lets the Coast
Guard take time to develop rules applying to NOBOBs. We know
NOBOB flushing will reduce the number of species in tanks,
and this exemption cannot stand. NOBOB’s
still have water in their holds that can contain invasive
species. NOBOB’s must be required flush out their
ballast water just like vessels classified as having ballast on board. 3.
Currently, the legislation contains a clause that would preempt all
state laws that regulate ballast water. The state of Michigan
has laws in place that require ocean-going vessels entering Michigan
ports to treat their ballast water in an effort to stop the influx and
spread of invasive species. Until the federal government puts
a strong federal program in place, states should not be preempted! Contact
your member of Congress and let them know that you appreciate them
moving on this issue, but we need these changes to ensure our Great
Lakes heritage and way of life is protected for future generations to
enjoy (Congressional switchboard: (202)224-3121). THANK
YOU TO THE MUCC MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY CALLED CONGRESSPERSONS EHLERS
AND MILLER. THEIR OFFICES HAVE LET US KNOW THAT THEY HAVE
HEARD US LOUD AND CLEAR! MUCC Board of Directors hires Dennis Muchmore as new Executive Director An
avid sportsman with a love for fly fishing, as well as pheasant
hunting, Dennis Muchmore has long been an advocate for
Michigan’s great outdoors, serving as a lobbyist on behalf of
the MUCC on many important conservations issues over the years,
including Michigan’s seminal bottle bill. “The
Michigan United Conservation Clubs has worked for seventy years to
protect Michigan’s important natural resources and great
outdoors,” said Muchmore. “It has led the
conservation movement in Michigan, and is considered one of the
greatest statewide conservation organizations in the county.
I want to ensure that we carry that leadership forward. The
need for a strong voice for Michigan’s outdoors has never
been greater.” Muchmore
was selected following a search that began in February and was
conducted by a committee comprised of members of the MUCC board of
directors and executive committee, as well as members of the public at
large. As
Director, Muchmore will manage the organization, direct media
relations, spearhead fundraising and promote the MUCC’s core
conservation mission. Muchmore
was a founding partner of Muchmore, Harrington, Smalley &
Associates, a leading Michigan public affairs firm, and currently is
“Of Counsel” to MHSA. Most recently he
has served as an Executive Vice President of DHR International, the
nation’s fifth largest executive recruiting firm.
Along with serving on several corporate and educational boards,
Muchmore is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Michigan State
University Public Policy Program. He has served as Vice
President of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and consultant to the
Michigan Senate Select Committee on Municipal Finance. New policies emerge from MUCC 2007 Annual Convention This
year MUCC’s Annual Convention took place in Sault Ste. Marie,
MI. In addition to approving the new Executive Director, the
board also took action on numerous resolutions, passing some of them to
become official policy of the organization. Resolutions passed at the 2007 MUCC Annual Convention: Resolution 03 – Clarification of Casing/Uncasing a Firearm from a Vehicle Resolution 04 – Use of Hunter Orange during Predator Hunting Resolution 08 – Reduction of Yellow Perch Limits Resolution 09 – Darkhouse Angling Resolution 11 – Lake Sturgeon License Requirement Resolution 13 – Deer Baiting (Against) Resolution 14 – Eurasian Milfoil Control on Inland Lakes and Waterways Resolution 15 – Michigan Department of Natural Resources License Fee Package Resolution 18 – Support for Nuclear Energy Resolution 20 – Great Lakes Shipping Resolution 21 – Funding the Management of Michigan’s Natural Resources Resolution 22 – Doe Permit Distribution Resolution 23 – Lake St. Clair Pike Regulations Resolution 24 – Protecting Michigan Hunting Heritage Resolution 27 – Coyote Hunting in the Lower Peninsula (during firearm deer season) Resolution 29 – ORV Use on County Roads (Prohibit) *Resolutions
detailing legislative/regulation change required a 2/3 majority vote to
pass per MUCC bylaws Resolution 03 – Clarification of Casing/Uncasing a Firearm from a Vehicle THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, that MUCC work with the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources (MDNR) and the Michigan Legislature to clarify the regulation
to allow casing or uncasing of a transported firearm when the vehicle
is stopped and the person is outside the vehicle. Resolution 04 – Use of Hunter Orange During Predator Hunting THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs shall work
with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the
Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to allow the exemption of hunter
orange for predator hunting except during the Michigan firearm deer
season. BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a person would be required to wear an article
of hunter orange clothing (per DNR regulations) while in transit (up
until seated). Resolution 08 – Reduction of Yellow Perch Limits THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the daily possession limit of yellow perch on
Brevort Lake, Mackinac County, Grand Lake (Presque Isle and Alpena
Counties) and Long Lake (Alpena Counties) be revised from fifty (50)
per person per day; and BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs works
with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to establish a
daily possession limit of thirty-five (35) per person, with a size
limit of seven (7) inches. Resolution 09 – Darkhouse Angling THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) works
with the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division and Natural
Resources Commission to extend the Darkhouse angling (spearing) season
to add the month of December and the first two weeks of March to the
existing January and February season. Resolution 11 – Lake Sturgeon License Requirement THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Sturgeon for Tomorrow, and the Michigan United
Conservation Clubs will work with and support the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources (MDNR), the National Resources Commission (NRC),
legislators, and other advocacy groups to support the passage of
legislation to require an all species license for fishing sturgeon. Resolution 13 – Deer Baiting (Against) THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that MUCC is on record as opposing the continued use of
bait as a means of harvesting whitetail deer in Michigan. Resolution 14 – Eurasian Milfoil Control on Inland Lakes and Waterways THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work to develop a program similar to Maine’s that will create a fund to be used to help treat Eurasian milfoil and other nuisance plants found in Michigan’s public inland lakes and waterways; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that MUCC work to ensure that this program also
helps educate citizens about changing their behavior to help stop the
spread of nuisance plants and species in the State of Michigan. Resolution 15 – Michigan Department of Natural Resources License Fee Package THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the Michigan Legislature to increase all license fees to the amount needed to fund the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at the 2005 budget level for a period of two (2) years; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MUCC work with the Michigan Legislature to
find a permanent funding source for the MDNR that equally spreads the
burden of its funding for all citizens, as well as visitors to our
state. Resolution 18 – Support for Nuclear Energy THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) encourage public acceptance of nuclear generation of electricity as an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuel generation; and BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MUCC urge the National Wildlife Federation
(NWF) to reconsider the issue of nuclear energy as a part of a
comprehensive alternative energy policy initiative. Resolution 20 – Great Lakes Shipping THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the proper authorities to enact legislation preventing sea-going vessels from entering the St. Lawrence Seaway without methods for treating onboard ballast water; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MUCC work with the proper authorities to
enact federal legislation and international treaties requiring the
treatment of ballast water in all Great Lakes vessels in order to
prevent the spread of invasive species; and BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED the MUCC work with the proper authorities to enact
federal legislation requiring an annual inspection of all Great Lakes
vessels to assure compliance with the treatment requirement. Resolution 21 – Funding the Management of Michigan’s Natural Resources THEREFORE
IT BE RESOLVED, that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work
with the Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the Natural
Resources Commission (NRC) to develop, support, and work to get passed
a proposal that funds the management of Michigan’s natural
resources in perpetuity. Resolution 22 – Doe Permit Distribution THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) urge
the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) to change the doe permit
requirements. Resolution 23 – Lake St. Clair Pike Regulations THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs work to get
the pike limit reconsidered for Lake St. Clair back to five (5) per day
and the combination limit back to the 2002 mix. Resolution 24 – Protecting Michigan Hunting Heritage THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that MUCC initiate and take action to inform the public
on hunting, trapping, harvest ethics, actual game laws, and the
benefits of sustainable wildlife management due to hunting, fishing,
and trapping. Resolution 27 – Coyote Hunting in the Lower Peninsula (during firearm deer season) THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) support the taking of coyotes during the regular firearms deer season in the Lower Peninsula as a necessary management tool for coyote control; and BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MUCC work to have the regulation changed to
meet that goal, provided it does not jeopardize federal delisting of
the gray wolf. Resolution 29 – ORV Use on County Roads (Prohibit) THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) opposes any change to Part 811 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act that would authorize the use of ORVs on any public land other than designated trails managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) between M-46 and the Mackinaw Bridge. |
MUCC Policy Action Report
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