When natural patterns begin to shift, one of the hardest things to do as human onlookers is determine the cause of the shift. The Great Lakes fall in this category of continuous dispute: as one of the largest sources of freshwater on the planet, their importance is of little doubt, but their stability is another story.  A recent controversy has arisen surrounding these Lakes due to a study by The International Joint Commission, which emphasized their rapidly declining levels and attempted to elucidate a cause. The Lakes, however, are rising once again, this time exceeding their previous highs and drowning out any conspiracy theorists in the process.

Among those being blamed for the supposedly permanent decrease in Great Lakes water levels was the Army Corps of Engineers, whose 1960s dredging project was believed to have caused a lowering of the St. Clair River bottom. This river, which connects Lake Michigan and Huron, would in turn have caused a lowering of the two Lakes. After spending $3.6 million on a study whose findings were released before the report was independently reviewed by external authorities, the International Joint Commission cleared the Army Corps of this allegation, leaving the global warming faction to fill the hole left behind.

A recently passed House Bill has upset some organizations, especially the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC). The Bill, is essentially a reversal of the "Michigan Trailways" Bill, which shifted the path of existing horse-riding trails in the Pigeon River Country State Forest (PRC). The new Bill, HB 4610, not only demands that state-owned land that was open during the past year to riders remain open to them, but also that a new network of Trailways be instituted for "pack and saddle animals" where there has been a "historical tradition" of them.

Growing up in Michigan, I'm sure most people can remember going to the park for a picnic or just to play on a warm day. However, that tradition has been placed in jeopardy due to lack of funding. According to Rebecca Humphries, the Department of Natural Resources Director, the lack of funding (due to the cuts in the state budget) is resulting in the closure of state forest campgrounds, which will soon be followed by some parks in 2010. In an attempt to remedy the situation, the Citizens' Committee for Michigan State Parks has proposed that each license plate purchase in the state of Michigan be accompanied by an additional "optional" $10 fee, which would act in lieu of a yearly pass to use state parks.

The Citizens Committee for Michigan State Parks cites in its introductory letter that state parks have not received any tax dollars since 2004 and this fee would provide much needed funding to their entire state forest recreation system, including facilities and preservation. Other organizations, like The Muskegon Sports Council, assert that the time gained from manning the parking permit booth can now be put toward improvements in their state park's Winter Sports Complex.

While Michigan Secretary of State, Terri Land, fully supports preserving Michigan's state parks, she is in opposition to the $10 tax for political reasons. Doug Novak, Director of Government Affairs, objects to the "opt out" part of the Bill, which suggests the fee be imposed on every driver unless they read the fine print and choose not to pay it. Unlike other "fundraising fees" generated by license plate purchases, this one wouldn't be termed a "donation". Additionally, Novak points out that the extra time and energy that park officials would gain from the bill will be replaced with the time and energy it would take state administrative employees to respond to a great many extra phone calls concerning specifics of the Bill and what it allows. Other problems include the timeline outlined in the Bill and the violation of Article 9 Section 9 of the constitution, which states that, unless it is a "use tax or regulatory fee," all taxes on motor vehicles must be used for transportation purposes."

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).

This may seem like a hefty sum for the restoration of an ecosystem but, according to a widely cited 2007 study by the Brookings Institution, a $20 billion cleanup effort could result in $50 billion of economic benefits in tourism, increased property values and decreased medical problems. A nonprofit CEO, Cameron Davis is Obama's choice for "Great Lakes czar" (Dome Magazine). An individual who works well with businesses while maintaining his staunch position on Great Lakes advocacy is surely deserving of the title.