LANSING – State Representatives Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) and Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) today introduced a bold plan that will protect Great Lakes water – Michigan's most precious natural resource – from being diverted and sold for profit to other states and nations.
"In this day and age, water is the new oil and Michigan is the envy of many other states, countries and even private companies," said Ebli, whose bill would provide for the ratification of a compact banning diversions of water outside of the Great Lakes Basin. "As the populations of thirsty Southwestern states continue to explode, we cannot allow them to put added pressure on the fragile and vital ecosystems of the Great Lakes. Our message is clear: Our water is not for sale."
The "Great Waters, Great Michigan" plan 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.
"The Great Lakes are our heritage, representing our state's most precious natural resource," said Angerer, who sponsors one of the bills in the package. "As lawmakers, it is our responsibility to be good stewards of all Michigan's waters. We must do everything we can to protect the Great Lakes from those who seek to exploit the largest source of fresh water on our planet."
The package:
- Ratifies the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact, which bans the diversion of water outside of the Great Lakes Basin.
- Toughens standards for companies that bottle 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 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
The three biggest industries in Michigan – agriculture, manufacturing and tourism – depend heavily on healthy Great Lakes water.
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].