On Wednesday, July 20 about 40 people gathered in Grand Rapids to hear presentations on a variety of Great Lakes water protection plans. First, Chris Grubb, the Great Lakes Water Resource Coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation, presented information on a larger regional Great Lakes Restoration plan. This would involve actions to restore the Great Lakes to a condition closer to what it was like prior to European colonization. A somewhat ambitious plan, with limited vision in how to achieve those goals.
Second, Cherly Mendoza from the Alliance for the Great Lakes in Grand Haven spoke about another Great Lakes plan called the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact. This compact concerns 3 major themes: Conservation incentives that encourage the most efficient use of our precious water resources, Strong enforcement to ensure residents have the right to vigorously defend their local waters, and No free rides for special interests and no loopholes that give major users unfair advantages. The Alliance is promoting public hearings on this issue and encouraging Michigan residents to communicate with Gov. Granholm. The closest hearing on this piece is set for August 8 in Grand Haven. Contact Cheryl for more information cmendoza@greatlakes.org.
Last, people got information specific to what Michigan is doing to protect the Great Lakes. There is an effort to get a multi-point bi- partisan platform passed that would protect wetlands, groundwater, prevent water diversion and increase water conservation. There is a public hearing on August 1 in Grand Rapids with the EPA that Clean Water Action is coordinating. To participate in this hearing contact Kym Spring at 742-4084 or grandrapids@cleanwater.org. It was also shared that Ice Mountain, a subsidiary of the Nestle Corporation is seeking to overturn the only legislation that currently protects the Great Lakes, known as the Great Lakes Water Diversion Act.
Another important point raised was that the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which will be voted on in the US House next week sometime, identifies water as a commodity. While there was good information shared, it seemed that most of the actions were centered around lobbying elected officials or passing stronger legislation. When direct action was suggested as a tactic for dealing with water diversion and other destructive practices, none of the organizers responded.
