| Robert Sweeney, Executive Director of the International Association for Great Lakes Research moderated the event and spoke of the importance of the recent Brookings Institution Report, "Healthy Waters, Strong Economy: The Benefits of Restoring the Great Lakes Ecosystem". John Austin, one of the authors of the report, was the Policy Director for the commission I chaired several years ago- the Lt. Governor's Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth.
The report argues that the Great Lakes can be an enormous economic driver for the region if the region moves "beyond economic growth patterns that diminish natural resources to those that support long-term sustainable development." It estimates the cost of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy to be about $26 billion, but will yield an economic return in excess of $50 billion.
Port Huron and the Blue Water Region are models for what can be achieved. The efforts of St. Clair and Macomb Counties in the reduction of combined sewer overflows along with the local, state, and federal partnerships for real time monitoring of water quality is already beginning to yield benefits in terms of reducing beach closures. That has clear economic and quality of life benefits. Additionally, Port Huron is investing significant dollars in water front development and restoration. The city is literally turning to face the water and give the community a new character by turning its Maritime heritage into an advantage.
Representatives Brown and Espinoza spoke eloquently about how the economic health and quality of life in Michigan's Thumb region is directly tied to the health of the St. Clair River, Lake Huron, and the Saginaw Bay. Representative Brown has introduced legislation requiring a reduction in the phosphorus content of residential fertilizer. Phosphorus is supposed to be one of the major contributors to the muck accumulation problem in the Saginaw Bay.
In my remarks, I discussed the process that our Office of the Great Lakes will be using in its partnership with Healing Our Waters coalition members to frame a Michigan specific Great Lakes Agenda. The office will be producing an agenda discussion document that it will release for public hearing during the early fall. The hope is that the document and action agenda would be available to the new federal administration taking office in January.
The event ended with refreshments and a reception. My wife, Pam and I then departed for our trek across the State to Saugatuck where we joined a group of Allegan County Democrats for a picnic near the shore of Lake Michigan.
It was a beautiful evening for a picnic and upon arrival we were warmly greeted by Chair, Cathy Brockington. The positive energy of the crowd was truly contagious. Numerous candidates for local office were in attendance and spoke of their excitement for the months of campaigning ahead. Democratic U.S. Congressional candidates Fred Johnson, running for the 2nd district and Don Cooney, running for the 6th district, fired up the crowd. It was great to see so many local Democrats fighting to turn a traditionally red part of the State blue.
I am beginning my day today in the Benton Harbor area. I will continue to update on my experiences and thoughts. |
