BlackJack58

Seeing as how a fairly large percentage of members boat on the Great Lakes and connected waterways, I was wondering if anyone had any reaction to these proposed budget cuts for waterway preservation – from $300 million to $10 million.

Rather than focus on the pure political aspect (hard to avoid, I know) I’m interested in what members really think is important. How much is enough when it comes to ensuring we can rely on things like clean water, not having toxic algae or feces floating around when you’re out for a swim…or not having an Asian Carp smack you in the face at 50mph…

Truth be told, I think we sometimes overdo it when it comes to protecting animal habitats, but I suppose fishermen and duck hunters have different views, and I respect those views.

Is $300 million too much? Is $10 million enough? I’m not big on EPA over-regulation, either – but this really is an issue that touches our boating. What kind of things should the government (state or local) be doing to protect the waters where we play? I’d just like to hear the views of OSO members—who really use our lakes and rivers—over “activists” who haven’t put a toe in a lake for years.

offshorexcursion

iTrader: (5)

Interesting discussion but I need to educate myself on the subject more. Do you have any links to articles you could share?

Off the top of my head I feel the Great Lakes are one of our countries BEST natural wonders, words can not describe how lucky we are to have them in America.

Interceptor

I would prefer the Great Lakes being over regulated. We have an uncanny ability to screw things up when we try to rationalize why we attempt to change things we didn't create.

BlackJack58

Well - here are a few. A Google News search for Great Lakes is probably best. Toughest thing to do is try to blend sources so you get a broad viewpoint.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/new...unds/98876962/

http://eriemedia.ca/great-lakes-st-l...ed-u-s-budget/

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/...uard_cuts.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...305-story.html

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017...py-budget.html

http://buffalonews.com/2017/03/03/ch...s-restoration/

BlackJack58

Might add - having been up to Traverse / Torch / Charlevoix area many times, I'd hate to see anything negatively impact the natural beauty of that area. One of my favorite places in the world!

snopro13

I believe we need to spend whatever it takes to keep the Great Lakes clean and free from the asian carp invasion. I am afraid the government will do too little too late.

TBAG

Speaking of Asian Carp, I just hope and pray they never make it to my home lake.

79formula

I say do whatever it takes to prevent carp from existing in the great lakes.

Indy

I'm all for being a good steward of our environment. I am around the water all summer long, swimming, playing, boating (other peoples boats for the time being), I mountain bike in the woods/hills. I ski all winter...at least I used to, it doesn't seem to snow here in New England anymore. When I'm not working I'm outside, I'd like it to be pristine for all to enjoy.

I'd rather see the money go to our environment rather than the Paki's, Saudi's, et al.

hustlerguy

My view, take for what it is.
I want things to be nice as well, I enjoy the great Lakes. I have a cabin near the apostle islands and have boated there for a long time.
Let's not confuse money with keeping things nice!
What do we get for 300 million?
How efficiently does the government spending your and my money?
How much is wasted on dumb things?
Just like most things, there is a effective amount of money you get your best bang for your buck and that's when the most efficient things are happening for the least amount of money then there is the over spending which causes your bang for the buck to sky rocket. The issue with most government agencies is they don't see that. They get a appetite for money and every year more money! Then they get people convinced if you cut our funding by 10 dollars everything is going to go to crap. They want to get you to believe they are the only reason things are good and if you cut any money from there budget we can't survive. Pure scare tactics, that's why you never see a government budget get cut, they scare people so they can get more of your money!
The great Lakes were great before we spent 300 million a year on them. Don't let them scare you, the great Lakes will still be great if we spend 50 million on them efficiently and cut out the waste and fraud.