SR-30, As Adopted by Senate, March 29, 2007

Substitute for Senate Resolution No. 30

            A resolution to urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to make the necessary repairs to the Crooked River Lock in Emmet County and to make the necessary repairs a priority for the 2007 year.

            Whereas, The Inland Waterway is Michigan’s longest chain of rivers and lakes. It stretches almost 40 miles through the waters of Crooked Lake, Crooked River, Pickerel Lake, Burt Lake, Indian River, Mullet Lake, and the Cheboygan River, and includes lock systems on the Crooked River and on the Cheboygan River; and

            Whereas, The Inland Waterway has long been used as a mode of transportation and commerce, dating back to the time when Native Americans and fur traders would use the waterway en route to Little Traverse Bay in lieu of taking the longer open water route through the Straits of Mackinac. The completion of a lock on the Cheboygan River in 1869 opened this inland waterway to companies whose vessels carried passengers and freight to the inland villages of this part of northern Michigan. Since the Crooked River Lock was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers from 1967 to 1968, daylong excursions over these waters have become even more popular with tourists and residents alike; and

            Whereas, Every year, 10,000 to 15,000 people visit the locks on the Crooked River and the Cheboygan River. These tourist destinations exert a significant economic impact upon the towns and businesses along the Inland Waterway, especially the community of Alanson, the home to the Crooked River Lock; and

            Whereas, In this time of economic uncertainty, it is crucial that our state and federal governments work together to encourage economic activity through support of our infrastructure. It is important to this region that the Inland Waterway--a vital economic asset to northern Michigan--remains operational and our waters navigable; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to make the necessary repairs to the Crooked River Lock in Emmet County in time for the commencement of the 2007 summer tourism season; and be it further

            Resolved, That we urge the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to fulfill their commitment to keeping the Crooked River Lock maintained and operational by taking prompt action this spring to make the needed short-term repairs; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Army Corps of Engineers; the Michigan congressional delegation; the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; the Michigan Natural Resources Commission; the Michigan Waterways Commission; the Emmet and Cheboygan County Boards of Commissioners; the Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Indian River Chambers of Commerce; and the village of Alanson.