LANSING – Oakland County Democrats today applauded Governor Jennifer M. Granholm for winning a compromise and signing into law a legislative package aimed at protecting the Great Lakes that, for the first time, protects our water from large-scale withdrawals.
"Our tourism industry is built on the attractions of our lakes and rivers," said State Representative Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak) "Michigan is defined by water – we fish, we swim, we boat, we walk along sandy beaches. We must establish strict penalties for those who put our water at risk and attempt to weaken our quality of life."
The Governor signed into law a water-protection package – embraced by environmental, conservation and farm groups – that regulates large-scale withdrawals. The package, among other things:
- Provides a statutory framework for preventing adverse environmental impacts from large-quantity water withdrawals;
- Provides additional protections against the diversion of water outside the Great Lakes Basin by pipeline, canal, tunnel, aqueduct, or similar means;
- Requires public input opportunities for Michigan citizens regarding any proposed diversion outside the basin;
- Promotes water efficiency by requiring sectors of large-scale water users to develop best practices for water conservation; and
- Improves reporting requirements for large-scale water users to provide for better management of our water resources.
- Seriously restrict companies that want to bottle up and sell our Great Lakes for profit in other states; and
- Establish tougher penalties for those who put our Great Lakes in danger.
"Michigan's bountiful water resources fuel our economy and define our character," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "It is our most vital resource and its preservation and protection is far too important to be left to future generations. I applaud the efforts of Representative Donigan and Representative Vagnozzi for helping to lead the fight to protect our water."
House Democrats have proposed a plan to further protect Michigan's Great Lakes and other freshwater supplies. The plan would:
"Michigan finally has the tools to protect our most precious natural resource" said State Representative Aldo Vagnozzi (D-Farmington/Farmington Hills). "It's an important first step, but there is more we can do to protect our water and our way of life."