Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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October 18, 2022
WHEREAS, on October 18, 2022, the nation marks the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which aimed to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution in the nation’s water to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters; and,
WHEREAS, this landmark environmental legislation is especially vital to Michigan, given its location in the center of the world’s greatest freshwater ecosystem, the Great Lakes, which in many ways define us as Michiganders; and,
WHEREAS, the citizens of Michigan are dependent on clean water to protect public health; and the Clean Water Act has been central to the important progress we have made as a state in improving the quality and health of our rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and watersheds; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s abundant lakes, rivers, and streams contain 20 percent of the planet’s fresh surface water and provide its citizens with numerous recreational and commercial opportunities and greatly enhance their quality of life; and,
WHEREAS, clean water plays a vital role in the economic prosperity of the state of Michigan by providing a sustainable commercial fishing industry, supporting industry, yielding a robust tourism industry, and sustaining our tourism and agricultural sectors; and,
WHEREAS, in the last 50 years, the overall health of our marine waters, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands has also dramatically improved; and,
WHEREAS, the federal government has cooperated with states, tribes, businesses, local communities, and concerned individuals to significantly reduce all forms of water pollution, making our waters better suited for recreation and other pursuits and more hospitable to aquatic life;
NOW, THEREFORE,I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the year beginning October 18, 2022, as the Year of Clean Water in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act.