March 5, 2013
Contact: Anne Woiwode, (517) 974-2112, anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org
LANSING – Sierra Club
condemned the MI Senate passage today of Senate Bill 78, which proposes to
block the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) from designating and
managing Michigan lands using scientific principles of biodiversity*. SB 78,
sponsored by Senator Tom Casperson (R - Escanaba), attempts to remove
biodiversity as a management option for the MDNR. The bill has been roundly
criticized by Michigan's top scientists as "ridiculous," a threat to
forest health, and a reversal of almost 100 years of conservation stewardship
of Michigan's public lands.
Since its founding in
1921, the MDNR has used biodiversity principles in management for restoration
and protection of state lands. Without this authority, the MDNR would not have
been able to successfully restore habitat and wildlife following the land
clearing and the devastating wildfires that devastated Michigan in the late 19th
and early 20th century.
Scientists, researchers, and ecological experts largely oppose this legislation as well. “Senate Bill 78 is lacking in common sense, ecologically literacy, and vision; it is divisive, counterproductive, mean-spirited; couldn't be worse” said Dr. Burton Barnes, emeritus professor in the School of Natural Resources & Environment of the University of Michigan. Dr. Barnes continued, “Biodiversity has become a huge economic force and opportunity throughout the world. It is a vital and inseparable part of ecosystem services provided by the lands managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).”
Testimony on this bill from other scientists, researchers, and ecological experts is included below.
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The Sierra Club is the nation’s largest grassroots environmental organization, with over 170,000 members and supporters in Michigan.
What Do The Experts Say About SB 78?
“SB 78 would
prevent Michigan’s public land managers from using the most up to date
scientific knowledge about Michigan’s habitats and ecosystems to manage and
restore the lands that belong to all the people of Michigan” said Anne Woiwode,
State Director of Michigan Sierra Club. “This legislation would hurt our
state’s wildlife and natural resources, will diminish the value of Michigan’s
public lands in the future, and sets a dreadful precedent of allowing the DNR
to ignore science. The Senate should be ashamed of themselves for passing this
anti-science bill.”
Scientists, researchers, and ecological experts largely oppose this legislation as well. “Senate Bill 78 is lacking in common sense, ecologically literacy, and vision; it is divisive, counterproductive, mean-spirited; couldn't be worse” said Dr. Burton Barnes, emeritus professor in the School of Natural Resources & Environment of the University of Michigan. Dr. Barnes continued, “Biodiversity has become a huge economic force and opportunity throughout the world. It is a vital and inseparable part of ecosystem services provided by the lands managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).”
Testimony on this bill from other scientists, researchers, and ecological experts is included below.
###
The Sierra Club is the nation’s largest grassroots environmental organization, with over 170,000 members and supporters in Michigan.
What Do The Experts Say About SB 78?
Dr. Brad Cardinale - Associate Professor, School of Natural
Resources & Environment
Testified on 2/21/2013 University of
Michigan
“There are several scientific inaccuracies in this bill.”
“Senate Bill 78 would directly hamper the DNR’s ability to manage public lands for invasive species, pests and disease, and thus, the productivity and sustainability of wood.”
“Senate Bill 78 would directly hamper the DNR’s ability to manage public lands for invasive species, pests and disease, and thus, the productivity and sustainability of wood.”
Burton V. Barnes - Professor Emeritus, School of Natural
Resources & Environment
Testified on 2/14/2013
University of
Michigan
“Senate Bill 0078 is lacking in common sense, ecologically
literacy, and vision; it is
divisive, counterproductive, mean-spirited; couldn't be
worse. As Mark Twain said of a
book he reviewed—it is a cemetery.”
“Biodiversity has become a huge economic force and
opportunity throughout the world. It is a vital and inseparable part of
ecosystem services provided by the lands managed by the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources (MDNR).”
Dr. J. Michael Vasievich - Retired Research Scientist for
the USDA Forest Service
Testified on
2/14/2013 Masters and Ph.D in Forestry, Duke
University
“Severely restricting the DNR from considering biodiversity
takes away an important element of scientific forest management.”
Judy Kelly - President of the Michigan Botanical Club,
Biology Professor
Testified on 2/14/2013
Henry Ford Community College
“We oppose Senate Bill 78 because it is environmentally
harmful in ways that ultimately diminish both our economy and quality of life
in Michigan.”
“We must make wise decisions based upon the best science,
which includes recognizing the elemental value that biodiversity supports in
the health of our ecology and economy.”
Kim Herman - Former National President of the Natural Areas
Association
Testified on 2/14/2013
Masters in Botany/Plant Ecology, Michigan State University
“To pass this bill will further endanger already imperiled
ecosystems and species and immeasurably hurt the health of our state forests
and wildlife lands.”
“To pass SB 78 is analogous to spending all the capital in our savings accounts. To manage our state forests and all our state lands sustainably, including biodiversity conserves our capital and grows interest for today and future generations.”
“To pass SB 78 is analogous to spending all the capital in our savings accounts. To manage our state forests and all our state lands sustainably, including biodiversity conserves our capital and grows interest for today and future generations.”
