Detroit News

The state Senate is considering taking $30 million from Michigan's rainy day fund for emergency dredging of harbors and waterways this year to relieve shallows that threaten the state's boating industry as a result of historic low levels in the Great Lakes.

That proposal was unveiled Tuesday as part of a broader set of options for dealing long-term with the recurring need to dredge the state's 90 recreational harbors that cater to recreational boating. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers use federal funds to maintain appropriate depths in commercial harbors handing 100 million or more tons of cargo per year.

Lawmakers portrayed it as a quicker and more robust alternative to Gov. Rick Snyder's call for $22 million in emergency funds that would be used to address the problem in the current budget and $8 million the following year. That was included in the governor's budget plan.

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The article goes on to state that MDOT's budget may be tapped.  Perhaps, that's not out of the question considering how many boats I see filling up at gas stations paying road tax.  Well, at least the ones not using Rec Gas, and Off-road Diesel like I do, anyway.  Better question is where in the Hell has all the registration fee monies gone?  Has anyone actually sat down and looked at the Watercraft Fee Schedule?  It's got-damn obscene.  Add insult to injury, the article glosses over reviving a local tax grab scheme too.

"Everything is on the table," said state Sen. Geoff Hansen, R-Hart, who is taking the lead in the effort.