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From: Senator
Category: Shipwreck Research
Date: 01 Jun 2007
Time: 16:20:08
Remote Name: 64.73.69.5
MICHELLE McMANUS Assistant Majority Leader 35TH DISTRICT P.O. BOX 30036 LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-7536 PHONE: (517) 373-1725 FAX: (517) 373-0741
Dear Scuba Diving Enthusiasts,
I understand there has been some confusion surrounding the Great Lakes State Park legislation that was introduced in the Michigan House and Senate. I hope this letter can inform you of the intent of this legislation and clear up any misconceptions.
In 1899, Michigan adopted legislation declaring the bottomlands of Michigan’s Great Lakes to be a public park. The package of bills currently before the Legislature would give the park a name and require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with the assistance of the underwater advisory committee, to create a management plan for it. This management plan would only be phased in when the DNR has the funds to do so.
The Great Lakes State Park package also reconfigures the advisory committee to the following:
Two individuals from the DNR, one individual for park and recreation planning and one from law enforcement; One individual from Travel Michigan; One individual from the Department of Environmental Quality; One individual from the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries; and Six individuals appointed by the Governor from the general public. The six appointed individuals will represent the marine salvage and construction companies, retail dive shops, dive charter boat operations, maritime museum organizations, academic researchers and others in state organizations with an interest in Great Lakes bottomlands preserves.
This advisory committee will make recommendations to the DNR regarding the management plan, but the plan can only be implemented with the consent of the Legislature.
The legislation also sets up a fundraising program for Great Lakes State Park enhancements in the form of an annual Great Lakes State Park Voluntary Decal. This voluntary decal would not be required to dive in the Great Lakes State Park, but would give divers the opportunity to show their support for Great Lakes diving. Like a specialty license plate, the decal would give divers an easy way to support the sport they love.
The funds raised through purchases of the decal will be used to enhance the Great Lakes State Park as outlined in the management plan. The price for this voluntary decal is set in the bill. The bill does not give the DNR the authority to raise the price or make the voluntary decal mandatory.
This package of bills was created to enhance underwater recreational growth opportunities in our state, not to increase regulations for scuba diving or any other maritime activity, including the operation of commercial or pleasure watercraft. The bills place no regulatory burden on the DNR. The only administrative task given to the DNR is the collection, management and distribution of decal revenues. Our hope is that these bills will bring more attention to Great Lakes diving in Michigan and create further interest in the sport.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We are happy to work with anyone who may have some recommendations on how to improve this legislative package. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Michelle McManus
State Senator
35th District