LANSING – Against the backdrop of worsening droughts in the country's Western and Southeastern regions – and with drought conditions recently spreading to the Mid-Atlantic – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) and other members of the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee will begin hearings this week on a comprehensive plan that provides long-term protection to Great Lakes waters.
"As the Great Lakes State, we must be especially vigilant in protecting our most precious resource," said Ebli, a lead sponsor of the "Great Lakes, Great Michigan" package. "What we cherish the most has never been more at risk. That's why my colleagues and I have unveiled tough measures to protect our water from being exploited by other states and countries. Our plan will give a boost to our economy and create jobs because agriculture, manufacturing and tourism – our state's three biggest industries – rely heavily on healthy Great Lakes water."
The package unveiled earlier this year:
- Toughens standards for companies that try to bottle up and sell off Great Lakes and Michigan water for profit.
- 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.
Ebli's bill would provide for the ratification of a multi-state compact banning diversions of water outside of the Great Lakes Basin.
The National Climate Data Center reports that the drought parching much of the West and Southeast spread into the Mid-Atlantic area in September, and by the end of that month, about 43 percent of the 48 contiguous states were in moderate to extreme drought, according to an Oct. 16 Associated Press article.
The Great Lakes and Environment Committee will meet Wednesday, Nov. 7, at noon in Room 521 of the Anderson House Office Building, 124 N. Capitol, Lansing.