[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 12, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14807-S14808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. Levin):
  S. 1850. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
study of maritime sites in the State of Michigan; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Michigan 
Lighthouse and Maritime Heritage Act, a bill to promote and protect 
Michigan's Great Lakes history including its lighthouses and maritime 
museums.
  Before I discuss this bill, I want to say that it is extremely 
fitting that we are discussing the importance of Michigan's Great Lakes 
history, because today is an important day in that long history. Two 
years ago today, President Bush signed into law the FY 2003 Energy and 
Water Appropriations bill, which included a provision which I authored 
to place a two year ban on oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes and 
protect them from the imminent threat of drilling.
  At the time, Governor Engler's administration was moving forward with 
plans to issue permits for oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes 
despite the overwhelming opposition of the citizens of Michigan and the 
Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes drilling ban had overwhelming 
bipartisan support of the Great Lakes Senators and House members; so 
much so, that Senator Voinovich and I worked together to re-extend the 
drilling ban for an additional two years, through the end of FY 2005, 
in last year's Omnibus Appropriations bill.
  One of the reasons the Great Lakes drilling ban had such broad 
support is that as the elected stewards of this precious natural 
resource, we all understood how important the Great Lakes are to our 
region and the Nation. The Great Lakes make up 20 percent of the 
world's fresh water supply, and thirty-three million people rely on the 
Great Lakes for their drinking water, including 10 million for Lake 
Michigan alone. The Great Lakes' coastlines also are home to wetlands, 
dunes and endangered species and plants. Lake Michigan alone contains 
over 417 coastal wetlands, the most of any Great Lake.
  The Great Lakes are not just an important natural resource, but they 
are a critical part of Michigan's economy and quality of life. Millions 
of people use the Great Lakes each year to enjoy their beaches, good 
fishing and boating. The latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife estimate shows 
that recreational fishing totals an $839 million boost to Michigan's 
tourist economy alone. Michigan has over one million registered boaters 
on file, more than any other State.
  The Michigan Lighthouse and Maritime Heritage Act would help preserve 
the history of this precious natural resource for generations to come. 
The bill would require the National Park Service (NPS) to study and 
make recommendations as to the best way to promote and protect 
Michigan's lighthouses and maritime resources. After 18 months, the NPS 
would submit the study to Congress with its recommendations to link 
these wonderful resources such as establishing a lighthouse and 
maritime heritage trail, and to identify financial resources for 
Michigan's communities to preserve and restore their lighthouses, 
museums and other maritime resources. Congress could then move forward 
with establishing the lighthouse and maritime heritage trail, and 
implementing the NPS's recommendations. Hopefully, a Michigan 
lighthouse and maritime heritage trail would lead to increased visitors 
and tourism to these wonderful sites, which also would help bolster the 
local economy in these communities.
  The Great Lakes are an inseparable part of Michigan's identity and 
cultural history, and Michigan's landscape reflects that bond. Michigan 
is home to over 120 lighthouses, more than any other state in the U.S. 
The oldest Michigan lighthouses are over 180 years, dating back to the 
1820's. Michigan is also home to the country's only fresh water marine 
sanctuary, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This marine 
sanctuary is designated to protect over 100 shipwrecks through an area 
of Lake Huron known as shipwreck alley. Michigan is also home to 
numerous maritime museums and lighthouse museums which are located 
throughout the State.

[[Page S14808]]

  The Michigan Lighthouse and Maritime Heritage Act will help protect 
these precious Great Lakes resources for future generations of 
Michiganians, and promote the wonderful history of the Great Lakes for 
all who visit Michigan to enjoy.
                                 ______