Environmental groups say a potential rollback on portions of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary could have a devastating effect on the local economy and the environment.
The rollback is part of an executive order issued by President Trump that has put marine eleven sanctuaries under review, and could open them up for offshore oil and gas drilling.
David Holtz is with the Michigan Sierra Club. He said the Thunder Bay sanctuary has done great things for the region.
“It protects archaeological resources there, it supports the tourism economy, and it just doesn’t make any sense to be pulling back on it.”
Policy officials say the Great Lakes are protected from oil and gas drilling by a temporary congressional ban made permanent by George W. Bush in 2005.
Sean Hammond is with the Michigan Environmental Council. He said the state of Michigan banned drilling as early as 2002.
“Our ban is pretty straightforward and this is not something that can be done. We can not drill in the Great Lakes per Michigan law. Unless the Federal Government does something beyond this that should be covered under Michigan law.”
The executive order targets sanctuaries established or expanded after April of 2007. Hammond said the rollback of protections could be a cost-saving measure.
“My best guess is that this is another attempted budget cut at the expense of the environment. Especially given that the areas around the sanctuary have seen economic growth from this protection.”
In 2016 the Thunder Bay sanctuary reported 100 thousand visitors to its museum.
Officials with the sanctuary declined to comment and directed inquiries to the US Department of Commerce. The department has been tasked with preparing a report on the sanctuaries that could lose their designation.
A 30 day public comment period on the review and report runs through July 26th.