Press Releases
Huizenga Supports Bipartisan Mapping Legislation to Protect the Great Lakes
Washington,
September 15, 2017
Whether it is responding to rapidly evolving events such as a natural disaster or planning long term projects such as habitat restoration, we need to have reliable and accurate information available,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Having up to date ESI maps are vital to correctly identifying vulnerable locations and establishing priorities to properly protect Michigan residents as well as the Great Lakes ecosystem.
On Thursday, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) announced his support for the Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act of 2017 introduced by Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05). This bipartisan legislation would update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps which are used for natural disaster planning and recovery, research, resource damage assessments, and habitat restoration across the Great Lakes region. The ESI maps for the Great Lakes region currently being used have not been updated since 1994, with some maps having not been updated since 1985.
“Whether it is responding to rapidly evolving events such as a natural disaster or planning long term projects such as habitat restoration, we need to have reliable and accurate information available,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Having up to date ESI maps are vital to correctly identifying vulnerable locations and establishing priorities to properly protect Michigan residents as well as the Great Lakes ecosystem.” This legislation has bipartisan support in both the House as well as the Senate. Joining Congressman Huizenga as original cosponsors of the Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act of 2017 are Congressman David Joyce (OH-14) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12). In the Senate, Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) have introduced companion legislation. |
