News

LANSING – House Democrats today officially introduced legislation to protect Great Lakes water – Michigan's most precious natural resource – from being diverted and sold for profit to other states and nations. The bold "Great Waters, Great Michigan" package also strengthens environmental protections, requires large-scale users to adopt tougher conservation practices, and gives citizens the ability to hold companies accountable for violating water protection laws.

"Michigan is the Great Lakes State, and we have to do everything we can to make sure that it stays that way," said State Representative Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Twp.). "We must ensure that future generations can enjoy the fishing, boating and other opportunities that make Michigan such a special place to live and visit."

The House Democratic package:

• Ratifies the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact, which will ban diversions of water outside of the Great Lakes Basin.
• Toughens standards for companies that try to bottle up and sell off Great Lakes and Michigan water for profit.
• Strengthens water protection standards by requiring state approval for withdrawals above 1 million gallons per day, down from 2 million gallons per day.
• Requires large-scale water users such as municipalities, utilities and others to implement water conservation practices.
• Gives the public additional tools to hold companies accountable when they violate water protection laws, and increases the maximum civil fine from $1,000 to $10,000 for most water use violations.

"The world is counting on us to be responsible stewards of the largest source of fresh water on the planet," said State Representative Ted Hammon (D-Burton). "We cannot allow other states, other countries and private companies to come in and take our water and bottle it up for profit. The 'Great Waters, Great Michigan' plan says clearly that our water is not for sale."

The House Democrats' plan comes amid rising threats to the Great Lakes, including low water levels

brought on by global warming. According to a June 12 article in the Detroit News,[1]Lake Superior are projected to reach a record low of 22 inches below average in September, while Lake Michigan and Lake Huron also could see lows of 22 inches below average. Lake Erie could reach 12 inches below average, and Lake St. Clair could reach 17 inches below average, according to the article. Low water levels force shipping companies to carry less freight per trip – a cost that is passed on to consumers. water levels in

Meanwhile, within the next 10 years, 36 states expect water shortages, according to a 2003 Government Accountability Office report. As more states and countries dry up, they will turn to the Great Lakes to replenish their supplies. Over the years, proposals to use Great Lakes water have ranged from replenishing the Ogallala Aquifer[2] on the Great Plains to sending water by tanker to Asia[3].

"Michigan's three biggest industries – manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism – depend on healthy Great Lakes water, and we have to do everything we can to protect that resource," said State Representative Richard E. Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Twp.). "Michigan's economy can't afford to lose ground in any of those areas. The 'Great Waters, Great Michigan' plan ensures that we support those jobs and keep that economic pipeline flowing."