LANSING – State Representative Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) today called for a permanent ban on drilling in Michigan's Great Lakes. Schmidt warned that without this protection, Michigan's waters could become the next victim of a tragic oil spill disaster like the one caused by BP that is devastating the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico.
"I cannot imagine looking out over Lake Michigan and seeing an oil rig that puts our beautiful coastline and wildlife at risk of a disastrous oil spill," Schmidt said. "A catastrophe like we've seen in the Gulf would also certainly result in lost jobs, closed businesses and a serious hit to some of Michigan's most important industries. We simply can't afford to jeopardize our natural resources and the jobs that our workers rely on to provide for their families. This plan will give our residents the chance to take our current protections a step further and permanently preserve an important part of what makes living in Michigan so special."
The April 20 explosion of the BP-owned Deepwater Horizon oil rig caused a massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico that remains out of control. The gushing oil has already caused billions of dollars in economic damage – paralyzing fishing, boating and tourism industries from New Orleans to Key West. The damage has left residents and businesses struggling to pay the bills and worrying how they'll support their families in the coming months.
A similar careless accident in the Great Lakes would have a disastrous effect on businesses along Michigan's
more than 3,000 miles of coastline. It would devastate the Great Lakes' $7 billion fishing and
$9 billion boating industries and the hundreds of thousands of jobs associated with them, and destroy our vital
tourism industry. This type of catastrophe would also threaten the various Great Lakes traditions we treasure including
picnics and swimming at the beach, fishing off a pier or spending a day out on the boat with the family.
While drilling in the Great Lakes is against state law, the Michigan Legislature and governor could change that at anytime. The plan would give Michigan voters the right to make the ban permanent by making it part of the state constitution. If the Legislature passes the plan, the measure will appear on the November 2010 ballot.
Under current law, companies caught drilling without a permit face fines of up to $1,000 per day. Those responsible for a spill face fines of up to $25,000 per day and are liable for up to $75 million in damages. If an oil spill were to occur in Michigan's Great Lakes, the company would be held 100 percent accountable for the cleanup.
Although Michigan is the Great Lakes State, it shares ownership of Great Lakes waters with seven other states and two Canadian provinces. Only three other Great Lakes states – Ohio, New York and Wisconsin – prohibit drilling in the Great Lakes; Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Pennsylvania all allow it. In addition, Canadian law permits both onshore and offshore drilling in the Great Lakes.[1] Michigan would be the first Great Lakes State to enact a permanent ban on drilling.
Schmidt urges Michigan residents to visit www.dontdrillMIlakes.com to join the fight against drilling in the Great Lakes and see firsthand how a tragic accident similar to the one down South could devastate our community.
[1] Drilling in the Great Lakes: Background and Issue, Congressional Research Service, Nov. 11, 2008