Resolution: Recreational boating Infrastructure in the Great Lakes
Adopted on April 17, 2003

Whereas, an estimated 1.5 million Canadian and U.S. recreational boats operate on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River; and

Whereas, the economic benefit that accrues to the regional economy and coastal communities through equipment and trip-related expenditures, along with related Great Lakes sportfishing, is estimated to be several billion dollars annually; and

Whereas, publicly-funded infrastructure that supports recreational boating includes launch ramps, harbors of refuge and the provision of dredging to maintain adequate depths for publicly-maintained harbors, channels and marinas; and

Whereas, public and private Great Lakes marinas have provided a substantial supply of docks and slips and range in size, services and financial capabilities, and perform an invaluable role for boaters in need of safe harborage; and

Whereas, a substantial shortfall in operation and maintenance (O & M) funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to create problems in the Great Lakes including the inability to accomplish needed dredging of channels and harbors supporting commercial navigation, recreational boating, and deferred maintenance of breakwaters and other harbor structures; and

Whereas, during periods of low water levels such as exists now on the Great Lakes, the utility of infrastructure, such as launch ramps and docks at both public and private marinas, is severely compromised; and

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Congress should increase its O & M appropriations for the Great Lakes districts of the U.S. Corps of Engineers to provide sufficient funding for the maintenance of recreational boat harbors and channels without reducing funding for commercial harbors.

Be it finally resolved, that all available data and information be utilized to assist in future marina infrastructure project planning.

Unanimously adopted by the Great Lakes Commission at its 2003 Semiannual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 17, 2003.