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From: Greg
Category: Shipwreck Research
Date: 01 May 2007
Time: 03:10:49
Remote Name: 12.150.40.98
The key points are the following:
(1) the "Great Lakes State Park" was already established in 1899; this legislation simply recognizes the 1899 law and gives this public park a formal name, Notice that it says that it was already established!
(2) the responsibilities for management of the Great Lakes State Park have already been allocated to various state agencies since 1899, Yet Larry, Stan and others are having a problem with it? "Have already been allocated" means that it was in effect long ago! You can't stop something that is already law!
(3) the Great Lakes State Park Preservation Pass is strictly voluntary (and should probably be called a “Decal”) -- state legislators understand that a mandatory entrance pass is not logistically or politically feasible, - So maybe calling it a Decal would be better? Still betetr than what is currently in place...NOTHING!
(4) the legislation broadens representation on the state advisory committee to include important recreation and tourism stakeholder groups, (pretty self explanitory to me) - and in general,
(5) the purpose of this package of bills is to enhance underwater recreation and tourism in Michigan, and thereby position/promote our Great Lakes as a national and international destination for underwater recreation and tourism.
It doesn't tell anyone how to dive or where to dive. It doesn't limit anoyone or anything. It doesn't change the Underwater Preserves nor the laws that protect them. It just re-dedicates a law from 1899 and lets everyone know we have the largest state park in the nation!
If you really feel that strongly about this legislation - I suggest you go back and eliminate the 1899 law as well as the others in place long before this got started. If your going to destroy growth and underwater tourism in Michigan - you might as well start from the begining!