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 Now, more than anytime in recent memory, Wisconsinites have a chance to guarantee the long-term protection and sound management of Great Lakes water, ensuring that these treasures are not sold to the highest bidder and that they are protected for generations to come. (Your comments are still welcome! Please see below to send a comment letter.)
What is the Agreement?
In July 2004, the U.S. governors and Canadian premiers of all ten states and provinces that border the Great Lakes released a draft of what could be a globally unique and important agreement for the long term protection of Great Lakes water. Known as the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact Agreement, this binding agreement will set standards for future diversions and withdrawals of water from the Lakes to areas outside of the Great Lakes drainage basin, areas as close as Waukesha, and as far away as Arizona. The draft was released on July 19, 2004 for 90 days of public comment. Public response was overwhelming as thousands of you asked the governors to provide the strongest possible protection for our Great Lakes waters. The Council of Great Lakes Governors have promised a revised draft during the spring of 2005.
 What is the Basin?
In Wisconsin , the drainage basin covers nearly one-third of the eastern and northern coastal areas of the state. Despite its proximity to Lake Michigan, Waukesha is not inside the Great Lakes drainage basin, meaning rain that falls in Waukesha ultimately drains into the Mississippi River, not into the Great Lakes . Water withdrawals diverted to communities outside of the basin area can permanently pull water out of the Great Lakes watershed, harming the natural balance of water inflows and outflows. And if we sell Lake Michigan water to Waukesha without having strong standards in place, U.S. commerce law will force us to say “yes” when Arizona wants to buy Great Lakes water.
What is at stake?
The Great Lakes are vast, but they aren't infinite - only one percent of the water in the Lakes is renewed by rainfall and snowmelt every year. The remaining 99 percent is a one-time gift from the retreating glaciers of the world's last ice age. More pipelines into the Great Lakes without protective standards threatens the future health and supply of fresh water in the Great Lakes drainage basin—it's not a sustainable solution for communities that are using water faster than it can be replenished.
As former Republican congressman Dick Armey said several years ago, “I'm from Texas and down there we understand that whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting over. If we get [control of] it in Washington , we're not going to be buying it. We'll be stealing it. You are going to have to protect your Great Lakes .”
Speak up to protect your Great Lakes! Please see below for a comment letter and check our links (right) for more information. |
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Great Lakes
Water Resources
Links:
Council of Great Lakes Governors
Comment Page
for the Council of Great Lakes Governors
Read the Draft Agreement Released 7/19
(PDF File)
Great Lakes United
More Coming Soon! Useful Contacts:
All Jurisdictions -
Council of Great Lakes Governors
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1850
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel: (312) 407-0177
Fax: (312) 407-0038
Wisconsin -
Gov. James Doyle (WI)
115 East State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Tel: (608) 266-1212
wisgov@gov.state.wi.us
Michigan -
Office of the Great Lakes
Constitution Hall, 6th Fl.
P.O Box 30473
525 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48909-7973
New York -
Great Lakes Programs / Annex Implementing Agreements
New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
270 Michigan Ave.
Buffalo, New York, 14203-2999
glakes@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Quebec, Canada -
Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec
Direction des affaires intergouvernementales et des études économiques
Édifice Marie-Guyart, 6e étage, boîte 03
675, boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Québec, G1R 5V7
More Coming Soon! |
