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Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Sens. Jason Allen and Patricia Birkholz and Rep. David Palsrok today joined forces to help protect Michigan waters by launching the state's first Great Lakes Protection Fund Decal.

Proceeds from decal sales will support education and research to help eliminate zebra mussels and other invasive pests from the Great Lakes and Michigan waters.

Land, Allen, Birkholz and Palsrok unveiled the decal during a news conference at the Anchorage Marina in Holland. The 2005 design features a leaping fish, bright sun over blue waters and an outline of Michigan, all encircled by a blue ring declaring "Protect Michigan's Great Lakes."

"Michigan has so many great features, it wasn't easy deciding what should be on the decal," said Land, who worked with the three lawmakers in selecting the best design elements from more than 350 entries submitted in May.

"Information for ordering a decal will be available on the department's Web site. When you purchase a decal, you help protect the state's water quality by fighting against invasive species."

Decals will be available for purchase online Oct. 1, cost is $35, with proceeds earmarked for the Great Lakes Protection Fund. To ensure the program is fiscally responsible, a minimum of 2,000 decals must be sold in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2005, and at least 500 decals must be sold each year thereafter for the program to continue.

"These invasive pests costs businesses and government millions of dollars yearly," said Birkholz, R-Saugatuck. "If we are to keep their numbers in check and reduce the possibility of new invasions, we must have the resources at hand to do the job."

The 3-inch square decal is decorative only and does not replace any required watercraft registration or identification stickers. The decal adheres best to flat, smooth surfaces and may be placed wherever desired, including cars, trucks, trailers, boats and other vehicles.

"The Great Lakes are, without a doubt, one of the nation's most significant natural resources," said Allen, R-Traverse City. "We need to take the proper steps now to ensure they are protected for future generations."

"Aquatic nuisance species pose a serious threat to the state's recreational and tourism industries," said Palsrok, Republican chair of the House Great Lakes and Tourism Committee and a Manistee native. "Look at the damage the sea lamprey has done to sport and commercial fishing."

According to the Aquatic Nuisance Species task force, Great Lakes water users spend tens of millions of dollars on zebra mussel control every year. Invasive species also threaten the $4.5 billion sport- and commercial-fishing industries whose game fish are harmed by invasions of the sea lamprey, ruffe and round goby.

Aquatic nuisance species also damage environments through predation, parasitism, competition for resources, by introducing new pathogens and genetics, as well as by altering native habitats.

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