ADOPTED - APRIL 14, 2009

Agenda Item No. 14

 

Introduced by the County Services Committee of the:

 

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE RELINQUISHING OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN’S AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER THE FEDERAL WETLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM AND THE REPEAL OF PART 303, WETLANDS PROTECTION, OF PUBLIC ACT 451 OF 1994

 

RESOLUTION #09-090

 

WHEREAS, a proposal pending in the Michigan Legislature to relinquish the State’s authority to administer the federal wetland protection program and repeal Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of Public Act 451 of 1994 will jeopardize our water resources; and

 

WHEREAS, this proposal would reduce local and state control and oversight of one of Michigan’s most valuable resources, its wetlands; and

 

WHEREAS, wetlands protect water quality, retain or remove nutrients and pollutants, provide vital habitat to fish, wildlife, and waterfowl; and

 

WHEREAS, healthy wetlands decrease flooding, safeguard downstream property owners, and replenish ground water; and

 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is experiencing considerable time delays on permit reviews, which would slow and put a burden on critical economic development in Michigan; and

 

WHEREAS, the federal government does not have any time requirements for review and decision-making on wetland permits; and

 

WHEREAS, most permits under State of Michigan wetland regulations are required to be issued within 90 to 120 days of application; and 

 

WHEREAS, the state program regulates 95.1% of Michigan’s wetlands along with activities not currently, nor proposed to be regulated by the federal program, such as wetland excavation, dredging, and some drainage activities; and

 

WHEREAS, sending the wetlands program to the federal government could result in many Michigan wetlands not being regulated or protected, such as isolated wetlands not regulated by the federal program.

 

WHEREAS, at a minimum, 930,000 acres of Michigan wetlands are “isolated” wetlands and would not be protected if Part 303 should be repealed.

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners opposes the relinquishing of the State’s authority to administer the federal wetland protection program and opposes the repeal or modifi-cation of Part 303,  Wetlands Protection,  of Public Act 451 of 1994,  in Senate  Bill 187 and  House  Bills 4153

 

ADOPTED - APRIL 14, 2009

Agenda Item No. 14

 

RESOLUTION #09-090

 

and 4542, because these proposals would jeopardize our valuable water resources in Ingham County and the State of Michigan.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners requests that the Ingham County Clerk forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor of Michigan, the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, and to the Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate, State Representatives and State Senators representing Ingham County, and to the Chairs of all relevant Committees dealing with these bills.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners directs the Ingham County Controller/Administrator to forward a copy of this resolution to the Michigan Association of Counties on its behalf. 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners requests that the Michigan Association of Counties actively oppose the repeal or modification of Part 303 including rejection of Senate Bill 187 and House Bills 4153 and 4542.

 

COUNTY SERVICES:  Yeas:  Celentino, Koenig, Holman, Copedge, Grebner

  Nays:  None         Absent:  Vickers        Approved 4/7/09