The "Pure Michigan" Ad Campaign was started by the state of Michigan in 2006. It consists of ads that glorify the state of Michigan with the voice of Michigan celebrities, such as Tim Allen, behind scenic views of Michigan. The ads are intended to get people outside of Michigan to visit the state, which would boost the tourist sector of Michigan's economy. When levels of state funding were low, the controversy behind the scenes between political parties and groups throughout the state was underrepresented. The main benefactor from the Campaign is the tourism industry. However, as state funding increased, a dissonance of opinion regarding government funding of the campaign began.
On October 1, 2010 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) launched its Recreation Passport program. The program was proposed by the Citizens Committee for Michigan State Parks who were, "seeking to establish a long-term, stable funding source for the state park system and other public entities."
According to The Michigan Messenger, the Obama administration has proposed to set aside $475 million in the 2010 budget to help remedy the problems the Great Lakes have been experiencing due to their increased toxicity. In addition to reducing toxicity, the money will protect wildlife and their habitats, decrease pollution around the shores, and fight invasive species. Adding in the money to upgrade the sewage and drinking water systems, the new proposition, if passed, would increase the federal contribution to the Great Lakes to more than $1 billion (madison.com).
Great Lakes and Recreation
Interview with Joe Fischer of the National Rifle Association
Written by Ryan Hemingsen
Wednesday, 08 May 2013 21:12
This interview was conducted on 4/6/13 with Joe Fischer, a representative of the N.R.A. I've done my best to transcribe the interview; the reason why the beginning is a bit abrupt is that I've decided to start transcribing where I started asking the questions I had prepared (we had a short conversation before the interview about his background, among other things). I will also do my best to write word for word what I said, though if it appears short it is because I cut some non-relevant information out. If you would like the audio for this interview, I won't hesitate to send it along, though it did end up being around an hour or so.
Effective Measures for Controlling Sea Lamprey Populations
Written by Alex Schenk
Monday, 19 November 2012 20:22
Sea lamprey are eel-like parasites that feed off of the fluids of living adult fish. Sea lamprey feed on many species of fish but a large part of their diet consists of trout, salmon, and other large fish. Only about 40 percent of adult fish attacked by lamprey survive. When combined with the fact that adult lamprey can eat up to 40 pounds of adult fish in a lifetime, it is obvious that lamprey can have a large effect on fish populations. A large drop or even decimation of certain fish populations could have drastic effects on the ecosphere. Trout are an apex predator in the Great Lakes meaning they are crucial to the balance and survival of the ecosystem. Without trout to help regulate the populations of other organisms, the whole ecosystem could collapse.
Asian Carp are a growing concern for the Great Lakes ecosystem. Because Asian Carp's main diet is plankton, an organism that is very low on the food chain, introduction of the invasive species to the Great Lakes could upset the balance of the delicate ecosystem. Although Asian Carp would most likely not affect the whole ecosystem, it would have a significant effect on game fish such as Walleye, Salmon, and Perch. The spread of Asian Carp could cause an estimated $7 billion loss in fisheries every year due to smaller populations of commercial fish. Fisheries would not be the only industry to lose money from Asian Carp. Asian Carp would also have a significant impact on tourism. Silver Carp, one species of Asian Carp, can jump out of the water and strike people in boats. These leaping fish, that reach up to 100 pounds, cause numerous injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to concussions and broken bones.
Politics Behind Government Funding of "Pure Michigan" Ad Campaign
Written by Rachael Thieleman
Friday, 06 May 2011 17:19
The "Pure Michigan" Ad Campaign was started by the state of Michigan in 2006. It consists of ads that glorify the state of Michigan with the voice of Michigan celebrities, such as Tim Allen, behind scenic views of Michigan. The ads are intended to get people outside of Michigan to visit the state, which would boost the tourist sector of Michigan's economy. When levels of state funding were low, the controversy behind the scenes between political parties and groups throughout the state was underrepresented. The main benefactor from the Campaign is the tourism industry. However, as state funding increased, a dissonance of opinion regarding government funding of the campaign began.
Salmon in the Great Lakes imported from other waters face a unique set of issues as changes in the food chain and problems with invasive species continue. Chinook salmon, a species of fish native to the Pacific Ocean, was first introduced to the Great Lakes in 1966 through Lake Michigan. The fish, bred from a hatchery and then dispersed through the lakes, increased the popularity of sport fishing throughout the area.
The fish have nearly disappeared in Lake Huron because of a shortage of food for the salmon and the presence of invasive mussels in the water, and a similar trend has begun to occur in Lake Michigan.
The species’ most popular food source are small fish called alewives, which have nearly disappeared in the lakes as well because of their popularity amongst salmon.
Many fisherman and officials are saddened by the imminent loss of the salmon because of the negative affects it might have on sport fishing in the Great Lakes region.
However, some scientists believe the change is beneficial because the loss of salmon allows for large native fish species such as walleye to make a comeback.
Though fish continue to be inserted in the lakes through hatcheries, most believe Lake Michigan’s salmon population will continue in the same vein as Lake Huron’s and decline even more over the next few years.
The Michigan Policy Network is a student-led public education and research program to report and organize news and information about the political process surrounding Michigan state policy issues. It is run out of the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University, with participation by students from the College of Social Science, the College of Communication, and James Madison College.
The thoughts, opinions, and positions represented herein are solely those of the participating students and in no way represent an official position or policy recommendation of Michigan State University.
