Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has removed her ban on the use of motorized boats in Michigan waters. Her new announcement came just days before a hearing was scheduled in a lawsuit brought by the Michigan United Conservation Club, challenging the ban as unconstitutional.
The original ban, part of the Governor’s stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19, made the use of any boat powered by a gas or electric motor illegal, but it permitted the use of canoes, kayaks and sailboats. It was very unpopular among the state’s motor boat owners and particularly among fishermen, since this is a prime fishing season there.
In her new directive, Gov. Whitmer also allowed other outdoor activities, including golf, as long as people observed social distancing measures. The Conservation Club issued a press release thanking the Governor for removing the restrictions, and urged boaters to obey the social distancing guidelines.
Lawyers for the club had argued that being able to use motor boats and fish was vital to the well-being of its members. “Many MUCC members rely on this fishing not only as a locally sourced, high-quality protein for their family and friends,” they said, “”but also as an activity important to their mental health during the stresses of this pandemic. For some members, fishing and boating activities are their only source of income.” Read more:
