Reps. Acciavatti, Bieda, Brandenburg, Caul, Dennis, Elkins, Gaffney, Gieleghem, Gillard, Hager, Huizenga, Kooiman, Murphy, Nofs, Palmer, Pappageorge, Pastor, Phillips, Robertson, Rocca, Shulman, Stahl, Stallworth, Taub, Voorhees and Ward offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 197.

            A resolution to urge the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Office of the Great Lakes to work with the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office to develop a pilot project to provide real-time monitoring of water quality for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River.

            Whereas, The recent accidental release of more than 40,000 gallons of chemical solvents from an oil plant near Sarnia, Ontario, has again focused attention on the vulnerability of the water supply in this highly populated area.  While steps for notification have at times proven effective in preventing serious public health situations, the fact remains that there is considerable risk to area residents due to the frequency of spills of harmful materials; and

            Whereas, Since 1986, there have been more than 700 spills into the St. Clair River.  Some have been accidents involving substances capable of causing serious harm.  With the number of water intake facilities along the river and lake, it seems imperative to develop an additional means of safeguarding citizens to supplement the notification processes that are in place; and

            Whereas, Developing a real-time monitoring system at strategic locations along Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River could provide a higher level of protection.  Doing so with a pilot project funded through the Great Lakes Legacy Act could eventually benefit other vulnerable areas of our state and the Great Lakes network; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Office of the Great Lakes to work with the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office to develop a pilot project, using a portion of the Great Lakes Legacy Act funding, to provide real-time monitoring of water quality for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River to protect people and the environment from spills of harmful materials; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Office of the Great Lakes.