By John Bebow - January 11, 2008
If you break out in hives at the thought of a "National Water Commission" proposed by a congressman from drought-ravaged Georgia, then don't miss the Detroit News' special report on the "Great Lakes Water War."
Travel the state and you'll hear plenty of folks like Mecosta's Paul Sapp, who told the Detroit News: "I don't think we ought to be sending our water to anybody. They all moved down (to the Southeast and Southwest) to stay warm. If they're thirsty, they can move back."
Don't bother asking the presidential candidates what they think about the Great Lakes. As the Detroit Free Press is finding on the campaign trail, neither Democrats nor Republicans seeking the White House have much to say about the Great Lakes.
Meantime, in Lansing, 2008 is a key year for the Michigan Legislature to join other states in passing the Great Lakes Compact designed to bolster the Midwest's legal standing to protect our native waters.
With each passing year, the chance dwindles for Michigan and other Midwestern states keeping control of the Great Lakes. Consider this fresh analysis predicting Michigan's clout in Washington will continue to fade with the loss of a Congressional seat after the 2010 Census.
3 Comments
We need the Great Lakes Compact passed by MI legislature. Please tell your rep/sen. We should not be allowing Great Lakes water to go to another region. There are too many unknowns and the knowns are devastating to nature, business, recreation etc.
Perhaps down the road if people were dying because of lack of water some strictly controlled reallocation of water should be considered but ONLY AFTER STRINGENT WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES WERE IN PLACE in the receiving region. Having green lawns and green golf courses in the desert is ridiculous.
What is being done to protect our Great Lakes from terrorist destruction? How many of us have given serious consideration re what would happen to our shipping lanes/St. Lawrence Seaway?
Secondly, what steps are being taken to educate our student population about the Great Lakes?
Last, talk about the economy of Michigan...why are we helping Nestles line their pockets with water that belongs to Michigan?
A new report from the Brookings Institute found that restoring the great lakes would bring $50 billion in economic gain - more revenue than the cost of the project.
The report, “Healthy Waters, Strong Economy: The Benefits of Restoring the Great Lakes Ecosystem,” concludes that the people and communities of the Great Lakes region stand to gain at least $50 billion in long-term economic benefit from an investment of $26 billion now on Great Lakes restoration. That is a net gain of at least $24 billion dollars from increases in tourism, the fishing industry, recreational activity and home values.
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