Critical legislation regarding Michigan's water

As many of you know, I am pretty active with Trout Unlimited.  Trout Unlimited is not about fishing, but instead works on conserving, protecting and restoring coldwater streams and rivers. 

There is pending legislation on the floors of the Michigan Senate and House that will regulate large water withdrawals in Michigan. These laws are required under the terms of the Great Lakes Compact and are tie-barred to the Compact legislation.

The two chambers have worked through most of their differences in the bills except for a couple of huge issues. Both bills are based on limiting withdrawals using habitat criteria - ie - they will allow a certain amount of water to be withdrawn based upon a predicted adverse impact on a stream or river's "thriving species."

The Senate Bill SB 860 (S-3) will allow withdrawals from cold water streams and rivers that will cause a 3% and 5% decline in the thriving species, respectively.  In most rivers, the amount of water withdrawn will represent about 25% of the historical summer volumes.  This means that the proposed senate bill will allow the removal of up one quarter of a stream or river's water during low summer flows.  Current science suggests that this will eliminate 5% of the fish.  This level of withdrawal will also cause problems for canoes, docks, tubers and will eventually affect the surrounding lakes and marshes.

Alternatively, the House bill allows withdrawals from cold water streams and rivers that will cause a <1% decline in the thriving species. In most rivers, this will represent water withdrawals of about 12% of the historical summer volumes.  

Obviously, we would prefer the House version and contrary to the press on this issue, it allows for water withdrawals but still provides protection for the resource.  If this makes sense to you, it is extremely important that you contact your representatives in Lansing and especially your Senator within the next day or so.  I have included a sample email that you can use. Please feel free to edit as needed and include your name and address.  Phone calls are encouraged as well. 

Do this for your children and their children. 

Thanks for your consideration and involvement.

Senator  [      ]

Michigan's coldwater resources are an extremely valuable, renewable resource that needs to be used responsibly to benefit all users while still protecting the natural ecosystem.

They are also fundamental to the uniquely high-quality of living we have here in Michigan - our way forward into a new economy.  A recent study estimated that $500 million, in direct spending, is supplied by fishing recreation in the Driftless area trout streams of Wisconsin and Minnesota.  This area pales in comparison to the scope and quality of groundwater fed trout fishing in Michigan.  If we conducted an economic valuation of what our coldwater fisheries are worth to our economy it would doubtlessly be in the billions of dollars per year.  Past legislation has recognized, grandfathered, and protected current "water users" because of their economic investment, but where is the protection and support for the current water users with economic investments that benefit from thriving fish populations and using water in its place?

Michigan's coldwater resources are our highest quality rivers and streams, are part of the unique fabric of Michigan and its quality of life, and are the economic backbone for the majority of northern Michigan communities.  Individuals purchase vacation properties and homes in certain communities because of these fisheries and pay taxes which support these communities; in-state and out-of-state residents travel to these areas and contribute money to local businesses because of these fisheries; and current businesses such as licensed fishing guides, fishing lodges and motels and canoe liveries directly depend on the characteristics of rivers, the abundance of fish in them and the amount of water flowing in them during summer.

The pending Senate bill, SB 860 will allow water withdrawals from coldwater streams that result in a reduction of summer flows up to about 25% and an adverse affect of 5% on the thriving species.  Imagine canoeing the AuSable, Rifle or Manistee rivers in the summer with a quarter of the water removed.

Conversely, the House bill, which limits water withdrawals such that the adverse impact on the thriving species is less than 1%, will still allow a withdrawal of about 12 - 14% in most coldwater streams and rivers.

At the beginning of the 20th century, grayling thrived in many of Michigan's northern streams. Unfortunately, they were on the short end of an "economic trade" that fueled Michigan's lumber industry and are now extinct in this state. We should learn from past mistakes and not allow a "water trade" to have a similar impact today.

I believe water withdrawals should be made in a responsible and judicious fashion.   I cannot accept a law that allows the degradation of Michigan's coldwater resources. 

Please oppose the proposed 3% and 5% adverse affect regarding cold water streams and rivers in the current proposed SB 860 S-3, but instead adopt the <1% limits as proposed by the House. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Name]
[Address]

Chris Moshier