WASHINGTON – Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced that the U.S. Coast Guard has scheduled an additional meeting in his district on the Coast Guard’s proposal to conduct live gunfire exercises on the Great Lakes.  The session, scheduled to take place on November 3^rd in Charlevoix, Michigan, will allow Stupak’s constituents to ask questions of the Coast Guard and offer their views on the proposal.  Stupak said he had requested the meeting after hearing from constituents concerned about the Coast Guard’s proposal.

“One of these live fire zones is positioned in the ferry route between Charlevoix and Beaver Island,” Stupak said.  “I thought it was especially important that the Coast Guard hear the views of the people of Charlevoix as well as all of the people of northern Michigan.”

The meeting will include an “open house” for questions and answers to be held between 4:00-5:30 p.m. ET.  From 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. ET the Coast Guard will hold a formal meeting during which time members of the public may submit written comments or address the Coast Guard.  Both sessions will be held at the Charlevoix Public Library at 220 West Clinton.

The Ninth Coast Guard District, which includes the Great Lakes is proposing the establishment of 34 zones throughout the Great Lakes that will periodically be used for live gunfire training exercises.  The safety zones are expected to occupy a total area of more than 2,376 square miles.  Stupak said he has been pushing the Coast Guard to hold additional public meetings so that residents of Michigan’s 1^st Congressional District can voice their views on the proposal. 

“There are eleven live fire zones spread throughout the waters off the shores of my district,” Stupak said.  “Yet the Coast Guard originally planned not to have any meetings in my district.” 

“There are a range of questions that the public needs answered,” Stupak continued.  “For instance, I have reservations about the amount and method of notice the Coast Guard will provide the public, what time of day they will conduct these exercises, how this will affect fishing and spawning, how long these shooting exercises will last and how the Coast Guard will keep recreational boaters and commercial shippers informed of the timing of exercises.  I encourage residents with concerns about the Coast Guard’s proposal to attend the public meeting, or to submit comments in writing.”

 The Coast Guard has also extended its public comment period into early November, allowing citizens that are unable to attend the Charlevoix meeting to file comments.   Public comments or concerns can be submitted through three different methods.   The public may enter their comments via the web at http://dms.dot.gov, via fax at (202)493-2251 or via mail at:

Docket Management Facility

U.S. Department of Transportation

Room PL-401

400 SW

Washington, DC

20590-0001

Stupak’s Congressional District, Michigan's First, has 1,613 miles of shoreline, more than any other Congressional District in the nation except Alaska.

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