Senator Phil Pavlov's 2014 Conservation Update
CONSERVATION UPDATE
2014
June is Great Outdoors Month • July is Parks & Recreation Month DEAR FRIEND: With our state’s natural beauty and abundant resources, there’s no better place to enjoy outdoor life than Michigan! It’s important to conserve our natural resources so the outdoor experiences we enjoy today – whether fishing on a quiet inland lake, camping in a nearby state park, hiking the Shore-to-Shore trail, boating on one of the Big Lakes, tracking a big buck at dawn, or adding to a birding life list – can be enjoyed by future generations. I know many families are interested in the conservation issues that affect Michigan’s outdoor heritage. I hope this report will help keep you up-to-date. Sincerely,
S TAT E S E N AT O R
PHIL PAVLOV
PAVLOV LEGISLATION AIMS TO STOP CANADIAN NUCLEAR WASTE PROJECT The Great Lakes are Michigan’s most treasured natural resource. As the center of our way of life and much of our economy, we are passionate about protecting our lakes from danger. I recently sponsored legislation designed to help stop the proposed construction of a Canadian nuclear waste storage facility near the shores of Lake Huron. The measures would urge the president and other leaders to start an investigation of the proposed facility and create a special Great Lakes advisory board to study the impacts of such a facility. Senate Bill 948 would also completely ban the long-term disposal of all sources of low level radioactive waste in our state to further protect Michigan families and natural resources. This legislation was unanimously passed by the Senate and awaits action in the House Energy and Technology Committee. An attempt was made in 1990 to site a low level radioactive waste disposal facility in Michigan. Due to our proximity to significant natural resources, including the Great Lakes, Michigan administrators could not safely site a facility in the state. The Great Lakes basin should not be the place to site a nuclear waste disposal facility.
SENATE TAKES ACTION ON PAVLOV BILL TO PROTECT LAKES Aquatic invasive species threaten the health and economic vitality of our beautiful lakes. More than 180 non-native species have invaded the Great Lakes and our inland waters. These pests disrupt native fish and habitat, harm water quality and recreation, and cost millions of dollars to control. I recently sponsored Senate legislation to help keep further invaders, particularly
Asian carp, from reaching our lakes. The bills would crack down on the trafficking of prohibited aquatic species and dramatically increase the fines and penalties for illegal possession, sale and transportation. The legislation is in response to repeated attempts to illegally smuggle Asian carp across Michigan into Canada. These bills are currently in the House Natural Resources Committee.
SENATOR PHIL PAVLOV • TOLL FREE 866.305.2125 • VISIT www.SenatorPhilPavlov.com
STATE’S TRAIL NETWORK – IT’S PURE MICHIGAN Michigan is the top Trails State in the nation with more than 2,600 miles of multi-use trails on the ground along with miles of water trails on the Great Lakes and historic rivers. Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature will recognize the recreational and economic importance of the growing network of “best in class” trails by adopting the Pure Michigan brand. The bills will allow for the designation of Pure Michigan Trails and Pure Michigan Trail Towns that support multi-use trails–a great way to benefit local economies. In addition, the legislation will develop a process to create a state database of local trail maps that people can access online or on their smartphone.
EXPERIENCE NATURAL MICHIGAN AT A STATE PARK In Michigan, you’re never more than half an hour from a state park, state forest campground, state recreation area or state trail system. With more than 13,000 campsites, miles of trails, and access to inland lakes as well as the Great Lakes, our state parks and recreations areas offer outdoor fun close to home. All that’s needed for park entry is the $11 annual State Recreation Passport; campsite fees are extra. Campers can make state park campground reservations at www.midnrreservations.com or by calling 1-800-4472757. The new and improved website offers plenty of information for families, including whether the site is pet friendly, has a fire pit, distance to restrooms, even a photo of the campsite!
DISCOVER MICHIGAN’S WILDLIFE From the rare Kirtland’s Warbler to the familiar white-tailed deer, we share our state with an amazing array of wildlife. In fact, Michigan is home to more than 750 kinds of fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. Check out the popular online Michigan Wildlife Viewing Guide to see some of the best places in the state to view wildlife. Some sites are barrier-free; others are rugged and undeveloped. The guide features likely wildlife, site photos, directions and more.
PAVLOV REPORTS ON LOCAL GRANTS While every corner of Michigan seems to be a special place, there’s no place like home! I am pleased to share news of recent grant awards to help provide public outdoor recreation and protect natural areas. Annual revenues from state and federal oil and gas development along with money derived from the sale of the Recreation Passport provide the funding for these special projects. Communities throughout St. Clair and Lapeer counties were awarded Michigan National Resources Trust Fund and Recreation Passport grants totaling more than $760,000.
RESOURCES: Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities www.boat-ed.com/michigan Michigan State Parks map search www.michigan.gov/stateparks Recreation Passport www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport 2014 Michigan Fishing Guide www.michigan.gov/fishingguide Weekly Fishing Report www.michigan.gov/fishingreport
SENATOR PHIL PAVLOV • TOLL FREE 866.305.2125 • VISIT www.SenatorPhilPavlov.com
2014
June is Great Outdoors Month • July is Parks & Recreation Month DEAR FRIEND: With our state’s natural beauty and abundant resources, there’s no better place to enjoy outdoor life than Michigan! It’s important to conserve our natural resources so the outdoor experiences we enjoy today – whether fishing on a quiet inland lake, camping in a nearby state park, hiking the Shore-to-Shore trail, boating on one of the Big Lakes, tracking a big buck at dawn, or adding to a birding life list – can be enjoyed by future generations. I know many families are interested in the conservation issues that affect Michigan’s outdoor heritage. I hope this report will help keep you up-to-date. Sincerely,
S TAT E S E N AT O R
PHIL PAVLOV
PAVLOV LEGISLATION AIMS TO STOP CANADIAN NUCLEAR WASTE PROJECT The Great Lakes are Michigan’s most treasured natural resource. As the center of our way of life and much of our economy, we are passionate about protecting our lakes from danger. I recently sponsored legislation designed to help stop the proposed construction of a Canadian nuclear waste storage facility near the shores of Lake Huron. The measures would urge the president and other leaders to start an investigation of the proposed facility and create a special Great Lakes advisory board to study the impacts of such a facility. Senate Bill 948 would also completely ban the long-term disposal of all sources of low level radioactive waste in our state to further protect Michigan families and natural resources. This legislation was unanimously passed by the Senate and awaits action in the House Energy and Technology Committee. An attempt was made in 1990 to site a low level radioactive waste disposal facility in Michigan. Due to our proximity to significant natural resources, including the Great Lakes, Michigan administrators could not safely site a facility in the state. The Great Lakes basin should not be the place to site a nuclear waste disposal facility.
SENATE TAKES ACTION ON PAVLOV BILL TO PROTECT LAKES Aquatic invasive species threaten the health and economic vitality of our beautiful lakes. More than 180 non-native species have invaded the Great Lakes and our inland waters. These pests disrupt native fish and habitat, harm water quality and recreation, and cost millions of dollars to control. I recently sponsored Senate legislation to help keep further invaders, particularly
Asian carp, from reaching our lakes. The bills would crack down on the trafficking of prohibited aquatic species and dramatically increase the fines and penalties for illegal possession, sale and transportation. The legislation is in response to repeated attempts to illegally smuggle Asian carp across Michigan into Canada. These bills are currently in the House Natural Resources Committee.
SENATOR PHIL PAVLOV • TOLL FREE 866.305.2125 • VISIT www.SenatorPhilPavlov.com
STATE’S TRAIL NETWORK – IT’S PURE MICHIGAN Michigan is the top Trails State in the nation with more than 2,600 miles of multi-use trails on the ground along with miles of water trails on the Great Lakes and historic rivers. Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature will recognize the recreational and economic importance of the growing network of “best in class” trails by adopting the Pure Michigan brand. The bills will allow for the designation of Pure Michigan Trails and Pure Michigan Trail Towns that support multi-use trails–a great way to benefit local economies. In addition, the legislation will develop a process to create a state database of local trail maps that people can access online or on their smartphone.
EXPERIENCE NATURAL MICHIGAN AT A STATE PARK In Michigan, you’re never more than half an hour from a state park, state forest campground, state recreation area or state trail system. With more than 13,000 campsites, miles of trails, and access to inland lakes as well as the Great Lakes, our state parks and recreations areas offer outdoor fun close to home. All that’s needed for park entry is the $11 annual State Recreation Passport; campsite fees are extra. Campers can make state park campground reservations at www.midnrreservations.com or by calling 1-800-4472757. The new and improved website offers plenty of information for families, including whether the site is pet friendly, has a fire pit, distance to restrooms, even a photo of the campsite!
DISCOVER MICHIGAN’S WILDLIFE From the rare Kirtland’s Warbler to the familiar white-tailed deer, we share our state with an amazing array of wildlife. In fact, Michigan is home to more than 750 kinds of fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. Check out the popular online Michigan Wildlife Viewing Guide to see some of the best places in the state to view wildlife. Some sites are barrier-free; others are rugged and undeveloped. The guide features likely wildlife, site photos, directions and more.
PAVLOV REPORTS ON LOCAL GRANTS While every corner of Michigan seems to be a special place, there’s no place like home! I am pleased to share news of recent grant awards to help provide public outdoor recreation and protect natural areas. Annual revenues from state and federal oil and gas development along with money derived from the sale of the Recreation Passport provide the funding for these special projects. Communities throughout St. Clair and Lapeer counties were awarded Michigan National Resources Trust Fund and Recreation Passport grants totaling more than $760,000.
RESOURCES: Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities www.boat-ed.com/michigan Michigan State Parks map search www.michigan.gov/stateparks Recreation Passport www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport 2014 Michigan Fishing Guide www.michigan.gov/fishingguide Weekly Fishing Report www.michigan.gov/fishingreport
SENATOR PHIL PAVLOV • TOLL FREE 866.305.2125 • VISIT www.SenatorPhilPavlov.com
