Protect Our Water--Pass the Great Lakes Compact Now
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| Also listed in: Water, Sprawl, and the Environment |
Communities and corporations around Wisconsin, the U.S. and, in fact, other parts of the world, have their eyes on drawing down water from Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. The eight Great Lakes Governors have recognized this serious threat and wrote the "Great Lakes Compact" to protect the Lakes from large diversions outside their basin.
For the Compact to go into effect, it has to be implemented in each of the eight states touched by a Great Lake, and then approved by the U.S. Congress. Minnesota has already passed implementing legislation. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Ohio have introduced legislation and hope to act on it this year. Wisconsin has formed a legislative committee to attempt to draft approving legislation, but no bill has yet been introduced.
Environmental groups, Outdoors groups and hunting and fishing groups are encouraging everyone to call or write their state assembly person and senator urging him or her to Protect Our Lake--Pass the Great Lakes Compact Now.
When you call or write make it simple and direct. Tell your representative:
1. It is urgent to get a strong Compact with implementing legislation introduced and passed now.
2. The sooner the Compact passes, the faster communities like New Berlin and Waukesha are likely to fix their water problems through a fair and non-political process.
3. Passing the compact will stop the threat of entities around the world from tapping into the Great Lakes.
4. Passing the Compact will protect our Lake's water levels and will strengthen our state's business, manufacturing, agriculture, sporting and tourist endeavors.
5. Passing the Compact now will put force behind the voluntary water conservation efforts of some communities and will press all communities within the Great Lakes basin to protect our drinking water supply by conserving it.
6. By protecting the quantity and quality of our water, the Compact will help to improve the health and quality of life for our citizens, especially our children and future generations.
Please, contact your state representatives today and send them the message: Protect Our Lake--Pass the Great Lakes Compact Now.
For the Compact to go into effect, it has to be implemented in each of the eight states touched by a Great Lake, and then approved by the U.S. Congress. Minnesota has already passed implementing legislation. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Ohio have introduced legislation and hope to act on it this year. Wisconsin has formed a legislative committee to attempt to draft approving legislation, but no bill has yet been introduced.
Environmental groups, Outdoors groups and hunting and fishing groups are encouraging everyone to call or write their state assembly person and senator urging him or her to Protect Our Lake--Pass the Great Lakes Compact Now.
When you call or write make it simple and direct. Tell your representative:
1. It is urgent to get a strong Compact with implementing legislation introduced and passed now.
2. The sooner the Compact passes, the faster communities like New Berlin and Waukesha are likely to fix their water problems through a fair and non-political process.
3. Passing the compact will stop the threat of entities around the world from tapping into the Great Lakes.
4. Passing the Compact will protect our Lake's water levels and will strengthen our state's business, manufacturing, agriculture, sporting and tourist endeavors.
5. Passing the Compact now will put force behind the voluntary water conservation efforts of some communities and will press all communities within the Great Lakes basin to protect our drinking water supply by conserving it.
6. By protecting the quantity and quality of our water, the Compact will help to improve the health and quality of life for our citizens, especially our children and future generations.
Please, contact your state representatives today and send them the message: Protect Our Lake--Pass the Great Lakes Compact Now.
Every state legislator is easily accessible online through Google, through Link, or via the Legislative Hotline: 1-800-362-9472 (TTY line: 1-800-228-2115).
Thanks, again.
Jim Rowen
Link
Regards Bruce