Update: SB 78 “Anti-Biodiversity Bill” passes full Senate

SB 78, the “Anti-Biodiversity Bill” passed the full Michigan Senate on March 5.

It was approved on what appeared to be a strict party-line vote of 26-11.

Notably, Sen. Rebekah Warren took a courageous stand against SB 78 on the Senate Floor, arguing eloquently on behalf of Michigan’s history of science-based natural resource management. You can watch her statement here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYkQvY3i0a8

She also offered several helpful amendments including language that would have reinstated the original, science-based definition of biodiversity; another to keep original language saying that human activity is the primary cause of biodiversity loss; and a substitute bill that would have ensured humans could access any designated Biodiversity Stewardship Areas — an attempt to address an unfounded concern about “locking up land’ often reiterated by the bill’s Republican sponsor. All amendments were rejected on what again appeared to be party-line votes.

The fight for biodiversity will next move to the House Natural Resources Committee.

We will alert you when a bill is up for consideration there, but feel free to reach out to House Committee members about this issue now. They are:

• Andrea LaFontaine (R) Committee Chair, 32nd District: (517) 373-8931, [email protected]
• Bruce Rendon (R) Majority Vice-Chair, 103rd District: (517) 373-3817, [email protected]
• Ken Goike (R) 33rd District: (517) 373-0820, [email protected]
• Joel Johnson (R) 97th District:(517) 373-8962, [email protected]
• Ed McBroom (R) 108th District: (517) 373-0156, [email protected]
• Roger Victory (R) 88th District: (517) 373-1830, [email protected]
• Charles Smiley (D) Minority Vice-Chair, 50th District: (517) 373-3906, [email protected]
• Scott Dianda (D) 110th District: (517) 373-0850, [email protected]
• John Kivela (D) 109th District: (517) 373-0498, [email protected]

For complete background on this issue, we recommend the following links:

“State Senate bill puts forests at risk of disease, pests, environmentalists say.” Detroit Free Press.

“Legislation redefining conservation puts Michigan’s diversity of nature at risk:  MEC Commentary.” Detroit Free Press

“Biodiversity: Key to healthy forests, yet target of terrible proposed law.” MEC blog Michigan Distilled

“Anti-biodiversity bill hearings continue.” MEC blog Michigan Distilled