Deal would limit taking of water from state

[flashl]

Source: Detroit Free Press


Business groups, lawmakers say they're on board

LANSING -- Michigan lawmakers announced an agreement Monday that would regulate new, large-scale withdrawals of water from the state -- a deal expected to clear the way for Gov. Jennifer Granholm to sign an eight-state compact to prevent diversion of water outside the Great Lakes basin.
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The agreement, reached after two years of negotiations among legislators and business and environmental leaders, could be voted on in the Legislature as soon as this week. It would limit withdrawals of more than 1 million gallons a day, by manufacturers, bottlers, farmers or others.

The deal was announced by state Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, and Rep. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, along with the business and environmental groups involved.

...

Under the legislation, proposals for new uses of water that exceed 1 million gallons a day would be permitted only if evidence showed no serious impact on the water supply would result. Climate change and forecasts of increasing droughts could add pressure to ship Great Lakes water to thirsty regions, experts say.

Detroit Free Press

Read more: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/NEWS06/806240383/1008

[Robbien]

1. Basically the bill is a blueprint on how to take water from the Great Lakes

Without this agreement, every bottler has to jump through hoops trying to get permission to open a bottling plant. After this agreement is approved, all red tape goes away. Open season on the Great Lakes.

Of course the Chamber of Commerce types are supporting the bill.

[Phred42]

2. Thanks for posting K&R

[dysfunctional press]

3. doesn't canada have a say?

or at least ontario- the only province that borders the great lakes.

[Earth_First]

4. Canada's opposition has fallen upon deaf ears south of the border n/t

[galledgoblin]

6. forget Canada, what about the other Great Lakes states?! (n/t)

[dysfunctional press]

9. it says that it's an "eight state compact"....

i would assume those eight states would be minnesota, wisconsin, illinois, indiana, michigan, ohio, pennsylvania, and new york.

[galledgoblin]

10. ...ooh

ok, yeah, I know what this deal is. I was reading things a little backwards.

what was the upper limit on water that could be pumped out before? I'm trying to track it down, but I'm pretty sure this is the first cap put on water removal, so overall, while it needs adjustment, this is a good thing.

[Mojorabbit]

5. A million gallons a day

is a whole lot of water.

[ohio2007]

8. How many barrels of oil will it be worth in 20 years ?

Great Lakes basin is going to be the OPEC of fresh water within a generation.

[ohio2007]

7. Ohio hasn't signed off on any water diversion out of the region plans yet. nt

[raccoon]

11. C'mon, let's get this on Greatest. K&R. nt