July 3-9, 2022: Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week

WHEREAS, Michigan and its economy are defined by the Great Lakes and depend on its great 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 of the State of Michigan, business, industry, 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 that can arrive from a number of ways, 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 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 in control efforts each year; and,

WHEREAS, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan has over 900,000 registered boaters and many other recreational, commercial and industrial users of its 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 first step toward behavioral change and the adoption of practices that prevent 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, residents, and other Great Lakes states and provinces to raise awareness and take action against the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim July 3-9, 2022 as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in Michigan.