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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June 30, 2024
WHEREAS, Michigan and its economy are defined by the Great Lakes and depend on its abundance of fresh water for public water supplies, manufacturing, tourism, fishing, agriculture, and numerous other uses; and,
WHEREAS, preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species ultimately benefits Michigan, and stopping the introduction and spread of these species would eliminate the need for the State of Michigan, businesses, and citizens from employing costly methods to control and manage them; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan is protecting the Great Lakes and the state’s many inland lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species from many pathways, including ballast water, canals and waterways, organisms in trade, and recreational activities such as boating and angling; and,
WHEREAS, over 180 nonindigenous aquatic species are already established in the Great Lakes basin, many of which are displacing native species, disrupting habitats, and degrading natural, managed, and agricultural landscapes, resulting in millions of dollars for control efforts each year; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan has over 900,000 registered boaters and many other recreational, commercial, and industrial users of over 11,000 inland lakes and over 76,000 miles of rivers and streams in the state, many of which are impacted by aquatic invasive species; and,
WHEREAS, aquatic invasive species awareness is an important step toward behavior change, which prevents the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species; and,
WHEREAS, early summer marks the beginning of water-related recreational activities in Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week is an opportunity for Michigan’s government to join forces with businesses, industries, environmental groups, community organizations, citizens, and other Great Lakes states and provinces to take action against the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 30 – July 6, 2024, as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in Michigan.