This past week the House finished passing all of the bills in their water withdrawal legislative package. Both Senate and House water bill packages now stand even in progress, and remain to be negotiated. Some differences remain:

Adverse Resource Impact Definitions for Coldwaters: The Senate bill allows a 3% reduction to thriving fish for Coldwater "streams" while the House version calls for "less than 1%" reduction of coldwater fish abundance in the coldwater streams and small rivers.

Permitting: the Senate calls for permitting only for new withdrawals over 2 million gallons per day average. The House calls for permitting for new withdrawals over 1 million gallons per day.

Date of Effect: House recommends immediate effect (consistent with existing law in effect that prevents an "Adverse resource impact"). The Senate recently introduced a last minute exception to allow for 1 full year before this law takes effect. This would allow new uses of water to be exempt of causing damage for a  one year period. This would create a large incentive for future users to rush in and register large quantity withdrawals before these laws (and existing ones) would apply to them (aka: be without rules for a year).

During the past week, their has been indication from the leaders of both parties, and the Governor's Office, that a formal conference committee may be purposefully avoided. The intent would be to drive the stakeholder groups involved in this to a final compromise faster (with less regard for the actual outcome). The indications and information received recently suggest that the politics involved on this may not have the compromise coming out evenly, with a forced settlement possible, as early as next week. This possible outcome is not certain, but is a possibility.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 3, 2008

Trout Unlimited works with Huron Pines to improve coldwater streams

There are nonprofit organizations that work on projects. There are nonprofit organizations that strongly advocate for what they believe in. There are nonprofit organizations that provide funding for projects. And then there’s the Paul H. Young Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

This TU Chapter, based out of southeast Michigan, takes all three approaches to conservation in their effective effort to improve and protect coldwater streams in northern Michigan.

Helping in all three areas is a rarity among organizations, but the chapter shows up time and again to work in the streams, financially support innovative new conservation projects, and always put the resource first. What’s not known to many is the level of effort the organization puts forth to make a difference for stream restoration. The recipient of the 2006 Huron Pines Award, the Paul H. Young Chapter has once again stepped forward with actively making a difference. In recent years they have put thousands of dollars and volunteer hours into projects throughout the Au Sable River Watershed. This past weekend they volunteered up on the Ocqueoc River in Presque Isle County to help reduce streambank erosion.

“The work weekends, a long standing tradition with the Chapter, provide an opportunity for volunteers to get their hands dirty protecting and preserving Michigan’s coldwater resources. The commitment and dedication of the work weekend volunteers inspires others to become involved in other Chapter activities,” Chapter President Bob Thorsen stated.

“The PHY work weekend projects are performed in joint partnership with HP. The coordination and expertise of HP is the key to the success of the work weekend projects,” Thorsen added.

URGENT!  PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW!

THE MICHIGAN SENATE PASSED GROUNDWATER LEGISLATION THAT THREATENS COLD WATER FISHERIES

For many months the State House and Senate have been negotiating legislation to implement the Great Lakes Compact and separate legislation to regulate the withdrawal of one of Michigan’s most precious resources – clean groundwater that supplies fresh water to the rivers and streams in this State.

Last week, the Senate approved its version of the Great Lakes Compact including enabling water withdrawal legislation (SB 860).

SB 860 is BAD for Michigan and cold water fisheries because: 

It allows 3% of the trout in trout streams to be eliminated.  We believe negative impacts from water withdrawals should limited to less than 1% of thriving fish species. 

It also:

- Requires a permit only for water withdrawals greater than 2,000,000 gallons per day. [Permits should be required for all withdrawals exceeding 1,000,000 gallons per day.];
and
- It does not allow the public to provide comments on withdrawals that are approved using a computer program. [The public should be allowed to comment on ALL water withdrawals];
 - It does not recognize that groundwater is held in trust for the public. [Groundwater, like the lakes and streams it feeds, should be recognized as being held in the public trust.]

We expect the House to vote on SB 860 as early as Tuesday, May 20th.  Groundwater legislation is extremely important and if not done correctly will adversely affect one of the State’s biggest economic drivers: coldwater trout fisheries.  Withdrawing too much groundwater or withdrawing it from the wrong location can result in reduced stream flows that adversely affect trout populations and eliminate recreational activities.  

Contact your representatives in the House this weekend, but no later than May 19th and let them know you oppose any legislation similar to SB 860.  

You can find your appropriate representative online at: www.house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp.  Of particular importance is contacting Republican legislators, as Democrats are already largely in favor of the better House bill, but letting all of the legislators know your opposition or support is crucial.  

NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD – CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES OR SEND AN EMAIL!