Weekly Update - December 18th, 2009

FYI Notes

Tributes and Congratulatory Notes

Looking for a unique way to commemorate a special occasion for a co-worker, friend or family member? My office is pleased to offer legislative tributes in honor of a number of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions. To request an official state of Michigan tribute from my office, please visit www.gophouse.com/elsenheimer.htm, select "Recommend someone for a congratulatory certificate" and fill out the request form.

Coming to Lansing?

As House Republican Leader, I frequently receive invitations to legislative conferences and events. Please know my priority is you. If you plan to visit Lansing for a conference or meeting, please contact my office in advance so I can make every effort to meet with you while you are in town.

Stay in Contact

Mail: P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
E-mail: kevinelsenheimer@house.mi.gov
Toll-Free: 1-877-536-4105
Phone: (517) 373-0829
Fax: (517) 373-1841

Website: www.gophouse.com/elsenheimer.htm

Blog: http://staterepkevinelsenheimer.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/teamkevin

Mancelona Economic Development

Legislation allowing a potential biomass power plant in Mancelona to qualify for a property tax abatement was passed by the Senate and House late Thursday night and is now on its way to the governor for final consideration.

Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, will help Mancelona Renewable Resources locate a $140 million co-generation, wood fired power plant in Antrim County. The plant would employ an estimated 30 full-time people.

“Renewable energy is important for Michigan’s future as we work to turn our state’s economy around and biomass power is a viable source for the 21st century,” Allen said. “This project also brings much needed jobs to our area, so it will be a win-win.”

Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Kewadin, helped move the bill through the House and said the bill will give local communities like Mancelona the authority to issue local tax abatements for the project.

“Local governments can develop the economic growth projects that fit their communities if they have the tools available,” Elsenheimer said. “Making this bill into law removes one of the hurdles standing in the way of the MRR project.”

Office Hours

State Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, will be available at office hours on Jan. 4 to speak with area residents of Charlevoix and Antrim counties.

“I want to hear residents’ thoughts and concerns about their state government,” Elsenheimer said. “The more people tell me, the better job I can do representing the needs and issues facing northern Michigan.”

He will be at Darlene’s Restaurant, corner of Second Street and Mill Street in East Jordan, from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Residents unable to attend can contact Elsenheimer’s Lansing office toll free at 1-877-536-4105, by e-mail at kevinelsenheimer@house.mi.gov, or by writing to the lawmaker at State Capitol, Lansing, MI 48909.

Asian Carp Update

The Michigan House requested a federal call to arms against the threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes by unanimously approving a resolution sponsored by state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer.

Last week, House Resolution 186 was passed by the Michigan House Committee on Great Lakes and Environment. Today’s approval by the full House fast-tracks the resolution urging the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to take immediate action for halting the spread of the invasive species into Lake Michigan while a long-term solution to protect the Great Lakes is developed.

"The Asian carp is perhaps the largest threat to the Great Lakes in our generation,” Elsenheimer said. “This is something our economy, our lifestyle and our culture cannot sustain, so we must have a call to action by all those with an interest or expertise in the Great Lakes ecosystem and its future.

“I’m encouraged that the importance of stopping these fish from reaching Michigan has been recognized at the state level and am working to make sure that the federal government addresses the severity of our situation by acting quickly as well.”

Asian carp have been detected within eight miles of Lake Michigan, having passed the electrical barrier designed to stop them in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The carp could become a dominant species in the Great Lakes, as Asian carp are voracious feeders that would oust native fish and wildlife from the habitat. One of the two Asian carp species, can jump up to 10 feet out of the water when startled by boats, leading to well-documented injuries to boaters hit by fish weighing up to 70 pounds.

Michigan counts on a $7 billion Great Lakes commercial and recreational fishery and $9 billion Great Lakes recreational boating industry as key components to its annual economy.

HR 186 will now be sent to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the U.S. Army Chief of Engineers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Chicago District.

Pure Michigan Hunt

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters who purchase applications for the inaugural Pure Michigan Hunt in 2010 - which are on sale through Dec. 31 - that hunting rights won in the drawing are not transferable.

People who purchase applications for other hunters as gifts must use the gift recipient's identification to make sure that recipient is awarded the hunting rights.

The Pure Michigan Hunt is a drawing that allows three lucky applicants to participate in every restricted-access hunt available - elk, bear, spring and fall wild turkey and antlerless deer. In addition, those chosen in the lottery will get the first pick of hunting zone on a managed waterfowl area reserved hunt.

Pure Michigan hunters will be allowed to hunt their quarry anywhere and during any time frame the season is open. Hunters, for instance, who attempt to take an elk during the early hunt but are not successful, will be allowed to try again during later hunt periods.

Applicants selected for the Pure Michigan Hunt will not lose any preference points or weighted advantages for future limited-access hunts. And hunters who are ineligible to apply for elk licenses because of past success may participate in the Pure Michigan Hunt.

Applications cost $4 and individuals may enter as often as they like. Anyone who is 12 years old or older may participate, as long as their hunting privileges have not been suspended by the courts.

For more information, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Great Lakes Projects

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson is looking for a few good projects to fulfill the goals of President Barack Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The request for proposals (RFP) released by EPA invites partner agencies, stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and other eligible organizations working on Great Lakes restoration to present EPA with ideas and projects to protect and restore the Great Lakes.

The RFP is available online at http://epa.gov/greatlakes/fund/2010rfp01.

President Obama has made restoring the Great Lakes a national priority. In February 2009, he proposed $475 million for a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, an unprecedented investment in the nation’s largest fresh surface water ecosystem. Congress approved that funding level and Obama signed it into law in October. The majority of EPA’s grant funding is included in the RFP; funding through other agencies will be announced separately.

Proposals should focus on projects in the five priority areas the Task Force has identified as vital for restoring the Great Lakes. They are:

Toxic substances and areas of concern

Invasive species

Near-shore health and non-point source pollution

Habitat and wildlife protection

Accountability, education, monitoring, evaluation, communication and partnerships.

Snowmobile Workshop

The Department of Natural Resources will hold a free snowmobile safety instructor workshop on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center located near Roscommon on the north shore of Higgins Lake.

The workshop will provide an opportunity for experienced snowmobilers who have an interest in becoming a volunteer snowmobile safety instructor to receive their certificates enabling them to teach Michigans Snowmobile Safety Education Course.

Increasing the number of instructors will allow for more snowmobile safety courses to be offered. Class size will be limited to 25 students and filled on a first come, first served basis. Those interested must meet the following requirements:

-must not possess a criminal record

-must possess a valid drivers license

-must be 18 years of age or older

-must be knowledgeable of the rules and regulations that pertain to the operation of snowmobiles

-must have prior experience in the safe operation of snowmobiles

-must successfully complete the instructor certification training course and written exam

Individuals interested in participating in the workshop must register by the close of business on Wednesday, Jan. 2. To register, contact Cpl. John Morey at 989-619-3784 or via e-mail at moreyj1@michigan.gov. When registering, please provide your full name, complete mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address, if available. Attendance confirmation will be made prior to the workshop.