LANSING – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today voted to pass the landmark water protection package that will keep Michigan's most precious natural resource here where it belongs. With today's action, all components of the bipartisan, comprehensive "Great Waters, Great Michigan" plan have now been sent to the desk of Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm to be signed into law.
"We have worked countless hours on this proposal, and I am extremely pleased it will soon be signed into law," said Ebli, who sponsored a measure contained in the package. "This is a plan I have been fighting for since my first day in the legislature because of its ability to create jobs while protecting an important part of our heritage. The 'Great Waters, Great Michigan' plan will not only protect our most precious natural resource, but it will also protect and create good-paying jobs in Monroe County and across the state."
The "Great Waters, Great Michigan" plan will effectively ban the diversion of water outside the Great Lakes Basin by ratifying the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact. In order for the compact to be binding, it must be approved by all 10 Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces. Ebli was the lead sponsor of the plan to ratify the compact.
Other highlights of the "Great Waters, Great Michigan" plan include toughening water bottling standards by lowering the threshold that triggers an environmental review; requiring a review of water withdrawals of 1 million gallons per day or more to ensure sensitive water resources are protected; implementing a water withdrawal assessment tool for new large-scale water withdrawals to determine if they will harm our natural resources; and raising fines for water-use violations from a maximum of $5,000 per day to $10,000 per day.
The "Great Waters, Great Michigan" plan is the result of two years of work between the state House and Senate, business groups, environmental organizations and other interested parties. Groups supporting the plan include the Michigan Environmental Council, Clean Water Action, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Municipal League.
"This is a giant step forward for our state," Ebli said. "Water has always been a vital part of our agricultural, manufacturing and tourism industries, and this plan helps protect and strengthen our economy and create jobs for generations to come."