Resolution: Support for Adequate Maintenance of Great Lakes Recreational Harbors
Adopted on October 2, 2007

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Whereas, the recently released Great Lakes Commission study "Great Lakes recreational boating's economic punch" documents extensively the value of recreational boating to the Great Lakes regional economy; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes states have over four million registered boats (about a third of the national total), of which an estimated 911,000 are operated primarily on Great Lakes waters; and

Whereas, according to the study, trip and craft spending by boaters using the Great Lakes totals almost $3.8 billion annually, while direct economic impact of boating on Great Lakes waters adds another $6.4 billion and secondary impacts another $9.4 billion; and

Whereas, combined trip and craft spending by boaters using Great Lakes waters, along with direct and secondary economic activity generated by boating on the Lakes, supports over 120,000 jobs; and

Whereas, the 110,000 boats kept at Great Lakes marinas alone, during a 2003 survey, generated $665 million in trip-related spending and another $529 million on craft spending; and

Whereas, recreational harbors perform other valuable functions such as ports of refuge during inclement weather, ports for U.S. Coast Guard rescue stations, ports for Great Lakes research vessels, and ferry terminals; and

Whereas, of the 78 authorized and operational recreational harbors in the Great Lakes, many require regular dredging because of natural sedimentation, low water levels, storm events, and littoral drift, among other factors; but current Administration policy prevents the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from allocating funds for the dredging of recreational harbors in its operation and maintenance budget for the Great Lakes; and

Whereas, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that Great Lakes recreational harbors could be adequately dredged for a relatively modest investment of $5 million annually;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission calls on Congress and the Administration to provide adequate funding to maintain recreational harbors, and

Be It Finally Resolved, the Great Lakes Commission urge appropriate federal agencies to join in partnership with the states, coastal communities and the recreational boating community to explore new approaches to funding adequate maintenance of, and assuring access to Great Lakes recreational harbors.

Unanimously adopted by the Great Lakes Commission at its 2007 Annual Meeting in, Chicago, Illinois, October 2, 2007.