Nov 19: The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) Executive Committee directed that a Great Lakes Mercury Emission Reduction Strategy be developed with a goal of producing institutionalized activities to sustain mercury emissions reduction from unregulated sources, and regulated sources with potential for additional reduction. The Strategy should produce recommendations for state action, or available options for state action. It also directed that the group developing the strategy, solicit input from stakeholders on an ongoing basis using the existing Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy mercury workgroup.
A workgroup was formed in April 2008 to develop the Strategy. The workgroup has made significant progress towards the development of the draft Strategy, including developing a detailed table of contents, developing a detailed discussion about mercury emission sources, and the criteria for selecting source sectors that will be addressed in detail in the Strategy. The Strategy Team is seeking input on documents developed so far including the criteria document, and the source sector document. Input would be most helpful if submitted by December 19, 2008.
The work group members selected source sectors based on the criteria communicated in the June 17, 2008 memo to stakeholders. Selection was based on the following criteria: Total emissions within the Great Lakes states; Potential for high deposition within Great Lakes Basin (due to speciation profile) or high local emissions impact (because of big individual sources); Current availability of measures to achieve reductions; and Potential for future emissions growth from the sector.
Sources were further evaluated based on the following criteria: Are mercury emissions from the sector already being adequately addressed?; Do states have the ability to achieve reductions beyond what will be accomplished through existing/forthcoming regulations/programs?; and Are there cost-effective opportunities for additional reduction?
Access a posted request for feedback and comment (click here). Access the draft outline (click here). Access the criteria document (click here). Access the source sector document (click here). Submit contributions and comments to Alexis Cain (click here); and to Deb Jacobson (click here). Access the GLRC Toxics Pollutants Initiative website for additional information (click here).
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Water "Product" Diversion Debate Goes On
Nov 18: The on-going debate over possible water diversion loopholes involving the definition of "product" and the 5.7 gallon exemption under the recently enacted Great Lakes Compact continues. An article by environmental writer John Flesher, published in the Traverse City Record Eagle reports on the coalition of groups led by Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) and their launch of a public education campaign in Traverse City on November 16, 2008 [See WIMS 11/5/08]. The drive is focused on plugging what the groups call a major loophole in the Great Lakes Compact that would allow waters of the Great Lakes to be diverted by private export and sale.
Jim Olson, water law attorney for MCWC said, “There is a giant loop-hole in the Great Lakes Compact diversion ban that just passed Congress. The ban doesn’t apply to water produced and put in a container. That means water placed in a container will be fair game for the engines of large corporations and their teams of lawyers under NAFTA and international trade law. Citizens, landowners, and businesses in Michigan need to know what’s happened so we can protect our water from future claims by outside interests.”
The article reports on others, including the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes office and the staff for the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) that crafted the compact, who believe the existing Compact language "provides ironclad protections" and indicate that the issue "was discussed at length" and experts were consulted when the Compact was drafted. Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI), one of the few legislators to vote against the Compact, is quoted as saying, "Anybody could run a semi-truck through these loopholes."
Access the Record Eagle article (click here). Access the Great Lakes Regional Body website for additional information (click here). Access agendas for both meetings (click here). Access the CGLG website (click here).
Jim Olson, water law attorney for MCWC said, “There is a giant loop-hole in the Great Lakes Compact diversion ban that just passed Congress. The ban doesn’t apply to water produced and put in a container. That means water placed in a container will be fair game for the engines of large corporations and their teams of lawyers under NAFTA and international trade law. Citizens, landowners, and businesses in Michigan need to know what’s happened so we can protect our water from future claims by outside interests.”
The article reports on others, including the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes office and the staff for the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) that crafted the compact, who believe the existing Compact language "provides ironclad protections" and indicate that the issue "was discussed at length" and experts were consulted when the Compact was drafted. Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI), one of the few legislators to vote against the Compact, is quoted as saying, "Anybody could run a semi-truck through these loopholes."
Access the Record Eagle article (click here). Access the Great Lakes Regional Body website for additional information (click here). Access agendas for both meetings (click here). Access the CGLG website (click here).
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
GLC Urges Stimulus Funding For Great Lakes Infrastructure
Nov 18: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) is urging Congress to include funding for critical Great Lakes infrastructure needs in the economic stimulus package currently being developed. In correspondence sent this week to the Great Lakes Congressional delegation, newly elected Commission Chairman, Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn stated that, “now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to create jobs, stimulate economic development and protect and restore fresh water resources in the eight-state Great Lakes region.”
Recognizing the severe economic downturn affecting the Great Lakes region, Lt. Gov. Quinn emphasized that the Great Lakes are a vital economic asset for the region. The Commission highlighted four critical areas where the economic stimulus package could support large-scale infrastructure projects that can be implemented in 2009 to stimulate job growth and strengthen the regional economy.
Projects areas outlined included: Repair and upgrade failing wastewater infrastructure by providing $6.5 billion to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, with $2.4 billion for the eight Great Lakes states; Implement toxic sediment cleanup projects by providing $250 million for the Great Lakes Legacy Act; Begin construction of a new large lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan with $100 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Eliminate the backlog in dredging Great Lakes ports, navigation channels and recreational harbors by providing $125 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Access a release from GLC with further details and link to the complete letter (click here).
Recognizing the severe economic downturn affecting the Great Lakes region, Lt. Gov. Quinn emphasized that the Great Lakes are a vital economic asset for the region. The Commission highlighted four critical areas where the economic stimulus package could support large-scale infrastructure projects that can be implemented in 2009 to stimulate job growth and strengthen the regional economy.
Projects areas outlined included: Repair and upgrade failing wastewater infrastructure by providing $6.5 billion to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, with $2.4 billion for the eight Great Lakes states; Implement toxic sediment cleanup projects by providing $250 million for the Great Lakes Legacy Act; Begin construction of a new large lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan with $100 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Eliminate the backlog in dredging Great Lakes ports, navigation channels and recreational harbors by providing $125 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Access a release from GLC with further details and link to the complete letter (click here).
Friday, November 14, 2008
Lake Michigan Monitoring Meeting Webcast
Nov 14: The Lake Michigan Monitoring Coordination Council Fall 2008 Meeting addressing The Lake Michigan Nearshore: Monitoring Gaps & Plans to Address Them, is being held at the Marina Grand Resort in New Buffalo, MI on November 18-19, 2008. A live video webcast will be available starting 1:00 PM Eastern time on the 18th.
The draft Agenda. features the following topics: National Water Quality Monitoring Council Update; Lake Michigan Pilot Demonstration Update; 2008 State of the Lakes Ecosystem Recap; USGS Beach Health Initiative: Indicators, Research & Analytical Methods Update; Lake Monitoring with the Triaxis: Capabilities and Future Plans; 2010 Coastal Condition Report; 2010 Lake MI GLNPO/LaMP Intensive Year Monitoring & Follow-up on 10/24; BEC Meeting: Closer Connection Between Monitoring and the LaMPs; RFP on Phosphorous by Adding Loads; GLRRIN near shore research plans; NEST Indicators Program (National Environmental Status & Trends); Lake Michigan focus issue: Botulism Research and Monitoring; Lake Michigan Pilot Study Nearshore Gaps and Related Components; and Discussion: Coordinating/Developing Monitoring Around Nearshore Issues.
Access links to the complete agenda and the webcast (click here).
The draft Agenda. features the following topics: National Water Quality Monitoring Council Update; Lake Michigan Pilot Demonstration Update; 2008 State of the Lakes Ecosystem Recap; USGS Beach Health Initiative: Indicators, Research & Analytical Methods Update; Lake Monitoring with the Triaxis: Capabilities and Future Plans; 2010 Coastal Condition Report; 2010 Lake MI GLNPO/LaMP Intensive Year Monitoring & Follow-up on 10/24; BEC Meeting: Closer Connection Between Monitoring and the LaMPs; RFP on Phosphorous by Adding Loads; GLRRIN near shore research plans; NEST Indicators Program (National Environmental Status & Trends); Lake Michigan focus issue: Botulism Research and Monitoring; Lake Michigan Pilot Study Nearshore Gaps and Related Components; and Discussion: Coordinating/Developing Monitoring Around Nearshore Issues.
Access links to the complete agenda and the webcast (click here).
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Report Looks At "Ecological Separation" Of Great Lakes & Mississippi
Nov 12: The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) and the Great Lakes Fishery Trust (GLFT) announced the release of a three-year study by the Alliance for the Great Lakes (Alliance) that takes a first look at stopping the transfer of invasive species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River systems. While an electrical dispersal barrier currently provides some control on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship canal, long term solutions are needed to further reduce the risk of invasions.
The report -- Preliminary Feasibility of Ecological Separation of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes -- co-funded by the Fishery Trust and the Fishery Commission, is the first systematic look at commercial and recreational traffic on the waterway and at potential, long term solutions to prevent biological transfers. The study was funded pursuant to a recommendation from an Invasive Species Summit meeting convened in 2003 by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley that called for a project to examine long-term solutions to reduce the risk of invasive species in the waterway.
According to a release from GLFC and GLFT, the Chicago Waterway System, a series of canals built in the 1800s that famously “reversed the flow” of the Chicago River to improve sanitation, artificially connects the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. The waterway serves as a transportation corridor and provides access for recreational boaters. The connection, however, also is a conduit for invasive species, with zebra mussels and round gobies moving from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi basin and with Asian carp currently threatening to enter the Great Lakes from the Mississippi. With increasing global trade, the threat of invasive species is only expected to grow.
Rebecca Humphries, Chair of GLFT and Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) said, “Invasive species continue to pose one of the biggest threats to the future of the Great Lakes and the Chicago waterway is a direct link for species to enter Lake Michigan. This study helps establish a course to address this important link." GLFC Chair Michael Hansen, a professor at the University of Wisconsin -- Stevens Point said, “With the benefit of hindsight the Great Lakes and Mississippi systems should never have been connected in so direct a way. Our task now is to find permanent and effective solutions to the threat that this waterway poses. The commission calls upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider the Alliance’s recommendations and launch a full-scale study, with the ultimate goal of achieving long term separation between the two basins.”
According to a release from the Alliance leading Great Lakes advocates are calling for Federal leadership and funding for “ecological separation” of the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River basin to protect both great watersheds from the perils of invasive species. Alliance VP for Policy Joel Brammeier, lead author of the report said, “The Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are at risk because of a connection that’s nothing natural. Fifteen miles of water and an experimental electric barrier are all that’s standing between the Great Lakes and Asian carp. We’ve got to get serious about a real solution.”
Herb Gray, Canadian Section chair of the International Joint Commission (IJC) said, "We must find a way to stop Asian Carp and other species before they use the Chicago Sanitary Canal to invade the entire Great Lakes system that is shared by Canada and the United States." A release from IJC indicates, "The IJC strongly supports the maintenance of the electric fish dispersal barrier and construction of a second electrical barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, but recognizes the limitations of these measures. While not endorsing any specific long-term strategy, the IJC is impressed with the creative effort to engage as many stakeholders as possible and to carefully examine a range of actions to stop the movement of invasive species between the two watersheds while taking the economic and social dimensions into account."
Access a release from GLFC and GLFT (click here). Access a release from the Alliance with links to related information (click here). Access a release from IJC (click here). Access an Executive Summary of the report (click here). Access the complete 112-page report (click here).
The report -- Preliminary Feasibility of Ecological Separation of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes -- co-funded by the Fishery Trust and the Fishery Commission, is the first systematic look at commercial and recreational traffic on the waterway and at potential, long term solutions to prevent biological transfers. The study was funded pursuant to a recommendation from an Invasive Species Summit meeting convened in 2003 by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley that called for a project to examine long-term solutions to reduce the risk of invasive species in the waterway.
According to a release from GLFC and GLFT, the Chicago Waterway System, a series of canals built in the 1800s that famously “reversed the flow” of the Chicago River to improve sanitation, artificially connects the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. The waterway serves as a transportation corridor and provides access for recreational boaters. The connection, however, also is a conduit for invasive species, with zebra mussels and round gobies moving from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi basin and with Asian carp currently threatening to enter the Great Lakes from the Mississippi. With increasing global trade, the threat of invasive species is only expected to grow.
Rebecca Humphries, Chair of GLFT and Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) said, “Invasive species continue to pose one of the biggest threats to the future of the Great Lakes and the Chicago waterway is a direct link for species to enter Lake Michigan. This study helps establish a course to address this important link." GLFC Chair Michael Hansen, a professor at the University of Wisconsin -- Stevens Point said, “With the benefit of hindsight the Great Lakes and Mississippi systems should never have been connected in so direct a way. Our task now is to find permanent and effective solutions to the threat that this waterway poses. The commission calls upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider the Alliance’s recommendations and launch a full-scale study, with the ultimate goal of achieving long term separation between the two basins.”
According to a release from the Alliance leading Great Lakes advocates are calling for Federal leadership and funding for “ecological separation” of the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River basin to protect both great watersheds from the perils of invasive species. Alliance VP for Policy Joel Brammeier, lead author of the report said, “The Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are at risk because of a connection that’s nothing natural. Fifteen miles of water and an experimental electric barrier are all that’s standing between the Great Lakes and Asian carp. We’ve got to get serious about a real solution.”
Herb Gray, Canadian Section chair of the International Joint Commission (IJC) said, "We must find a way to stop Asian Carp and other species before they use the Chicago Sanitary Canal to invade the entire Great Lakes system that is shared by Canada and the United States." A release from IJC indicates, "The IJC strongly supports the maintenance of the electric fish dispersal barrier and construction of a second electrical barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, but recognizes the limitations of these measures. While not endorsing any specific long-term strategy, the IJC is impressed with the creative effort to engage as many stakeholders as possible and to carefully examine a range of actions to stop the movement of invasive species between the two watersheds while taking the economic and social dimensions into account."
Access a release from GLFC and GLFT (click here). Access a release from the Alliance with links to related information (click here). Access a release from IJC (click here). Access an Executive Summary of the report (click here). Access the complete 112-page report (click here).
Monday, November 10, 2008
International Upper Great Lakes Study Meeting
Nov 10: The International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS) will be holding a public meeting at the University of Toledo, Lake Erie Center, from 7 to 9 PM on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008. Persons interested in and concerned about Great Lakes water levels are urged to attend and to share personal examples of the impact of changing water levels. The initial focus of IUGLS is whether possible physical changes in the St. Clair River and other factors are contributing to changes in the relative levels of Lake Erie and Lake Huron [See WIMS 4/4/08].
At the meetings, experts from the binational study of water levels in the Upper Great Lakes will present the latest scientific work and provide current information about water levels. They will also briefly outline the structure and purpose of the Study and review a history of water level regulation in the Great Lakes. The presentation will stress the importance of public input to the Study process and the need for interested individuals and organizations from throughout the basin to participate. Attendees will have an extensive opportunity to present their views and ask questions.
More broadly, the Study is examining whether regulation of outflows from Lake Superior might be improved to take into consideration changing climate and evolving interests of property owners, ecosystems, local governments, the shipping sector, and the recreation/tourism industry. IUGLS was launched by the International Joint Commission (IJC) of the U.S. and Canada in March of 2007. While the overall project has a five year timeline, a final report regarding the St. Clair River question is due in June of 2009.
Access the IUGLS website for details and further information (click here). Access information and presentations from previous meetings (click here). Access a 22-page progress report on the International Upper Great Lakes Study (click here).
At the meetings, experts from the binational study of water levels in the Upper Great Lakes will present the latest scientific work and provide current information about water levels. They will also briefly outline the structure and purpose of the Study and review a history of water level regulation in the Great Lakes. The presentation will stress the importance of public input to the Study process and the need for interested individuals and organizations from throughout the basin to participate. Attendees will have an extensive opportunity to present their views and ask questions.
More broadly, the Study is examining whether regulation of outflows from Lake Superior might be improved to take into consideration changing climate and evolving interests of property owners, ecosystems, local governments, the shipping sector, and the recreation/tourism industry. IUGLS was launched by the International Joint Commission (IJC) of the U.S. and Canada in March of 2007. While the overall project has a five year timeline, a final report regarding the St. Clair River question is due in June of 2009.
Access the IUGLS website for details and further information (click here). Access information and presentations from previous meetings (click here). Access a 22-page progress report on the International Upper Great Lakes Study (click here).
Friday, November 7, 2008
Groups Excited About Great Lakes Under Obama Presidency
Nov 6: Citing the fact that both President-elect, Barack Obama and his newly appointed Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel are both from Chicago and very familiar with the plight of the Great Lakes, Great Lakes organizations expressed excitement at a teleconference they held about the way forward for the Great Lakes.
A release from the Alliance for the Great Lakes indicates, "The election of Barack Obama as president and the Great Lakes policies he’s embraced portend good things for the Great Lakes. . . U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel’s decision to serve as Obama’s chief of staff may open doors for the Great Lakes a little further." Alliance President Cameron Davis, who served as a senior advisor to the Obama-Biden campaign in his personal capacity but spoke solely on the Alliance’s behalf at the event said, “This is a momentous time for the country, for the world and, of course, for the region. We are very excited here at the Alliance for the Great Lakes for the doors that have opened.”
Davis and Michael Kraft, professor of public and environmental affairs and political science chairman at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, led the hour-long teleconference that attracted an unprecedented 140-plus participants from around the Great Lakes region and Canada and included leading federal and state environmental officials, political leaders, advocates and the media. Kraft, author of numerous books on environmental policy, forecast the country will see a “striking difference” between the evolving Obama administration and that of President Bush, citing as an example the matter of scientific integrity -- on which Bush has been criticized by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Kraft and Davis agreed, however, that the economic downturn could present a hurdle to progress on the Great Lakes and other environmental initiatives. Given that scenario, Davis encouraged Great Lakes advocates to figure out ways to finance their priority projects, rather than present unfunded projects to the new administration. The teleconference event was part of the Alliance’s ongoing Coastal Allies Network program featuring current events discussions.
Access a lengthy release with further details on the teleconference (click here). Access more information on the Coastal Allies Network (click here).
A release from the Alliance for the Great Lakes indicates, "The election of Barack Obama as president and the Great Lakes policies he’s embraced portend good things for the Great Lakes. . . U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel’s decision to serve as Obama’s chief of staff may open doors for the Great Lakes a little further." Alliance President Cameron Davis, who served as a senior advisor to the Obama-Biden campaign in his personal capacity but spoke solely on the Alliance’s behalf at the event said, “This is a momentous time for the country, for the world and, of course, for the region. We are very excited here at the Alliance for the Great Lakes for the doors that have opened.”
Davis and Michael Kraft, professor of public and environmental affairs and political science chairman at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, led the hour-long teleconference that attracted an unprecedented 140-plus participants from around the Great Lakes region and Canada and included leading federal and state environmental officials, political leaders, advocates and the media. Kraft, author of numerous books on environmental policy, forecast the country will see a “striking difference” between the evolving Obama administration and that of President Bush, citing as an example the matter of scientific integrity -- on which Bush has been criticized by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Kraft and Davis agreed, however, that the economic downturn could present a hurdle to progress on the Great Lakes and other environmental initiatives. Given that scenario, Davis encouraged Great Lakes advocates to figure out ways to finance their priority projects, rather than present unfunded projects to the new administration. The teleconference event was part of the Alliance’s ongoing Coastal Allies Network program featuring current events discussions.
Access a lengthy release with further details on the teleconference (click here). Access more information on the Coastal Allies Network (click here).
SOLEC 2008 Presentations On-Line
Nov 7: The State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC) 2008 was held October 22–23, 2008, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada [See WIMS 10/17/08]. Emphasis was on "The Nearshore." In 1996, SOLEC focused on the nearshore lands and waters of the Great Lakes where biological productivity is greatest and where humans have maximum impact. In 2008, the conference concentrated on what has changed with respect to the nearshore environments since 1996.
The conference attracted over 300 attendees in Niagara Falls and several hundred on-line viewers who accessed a live video webcast. Conference slides, speaker's notes and video are available for each plenary presentation. EPA notes that playing the video together with the slides or notes allows a more complete experience.
Access the SOLEC 2008 website for links to available information (click here). Access the Binational SOLEC website for additional information (click here).
The conference attracted over 300 attendees in Niagara Falls and several hundred on-line viewers who accessed a live video webcast. Conference slides, speaker's notes and video are available for each plenary presentation. EPA notes that playing the video together with the slides or notes allows a more complete experience.
Access the SOLEC 2008 website for links to available information (click here). Access the Binational SOLEC website for additional information (click here).
Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Water Meetings
Nov 7: The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body announced that its next meeting will be held on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 1:30 PM CST. The meeting will take place at the Ambassador East Hotel, 1301 N. State Parkway in Chicago. The meeting is open to the public and will include an opportunity for public comments. An agenda is available from the website below. Additional information including materials to be discussed will be available in coming weeks. The Great Lakes Governors and Premiers created the Regional Body on December 13, 2005, by signing the Great Lakes -- St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement.
Additionally, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council will hold its first meeting on Monday, December 8, at 3:00 PM. CST. The meeting will also take place at the Ambassador East Hotel. It will be open to the public and include an opportunity for public comments. An agenda is available on the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) website.
Additional information including materials to be discussed will be available in coming weeks. The CGLG serves as Secretariat to the Regional Body.
Access information on the Regional Body meeting (click here). Access the Regional Body website for additional information (click here). Access agendas for both meetings (click here). Access the CGLG website (click here).
Additionally, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council will hold its first meeting on Monday, December 8, at 3:00 PM. CST. The meeting will also take place at the Ambassador East Hotel. It will be open to the public and include an opportunity for public comments. An agenda is available on the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) website.
Additional information including materials to be discussed will be available in coming weeks. The CGLG serves as Secretariat to the Regional Body.
Access information on the Regional Body meeting (click here). Access the Regional Body website for additional information (click here). Access agendas for both meetings (click here). Access the CGLG website (click here).
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Group Aims To Plug Great Lakes Diversion "Loop-hole"
Oct 30: Despite the recent approval of the Great Lakes Compact, the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) and other non profit organizations announced they will launch a public education campaign, FLOW: For Love of the Great Lakes, in Traverse City on November 16, 2008. The program will launch a drive to protect the waters of the Great Lakes from private export and sale.
The event begins with the Northern Michigan premier of Irena Salina’s New York Times critically-acclaimed film, Flow: For Love of Water, at Traverse City’s State Theatre at 3:00 PM. The film is a documentary about citizen efforts around the world, including Michigan, to stop the privatization or control of water by large corporations. Immediately after the film, a panel discussion and reception will be held at the city’s historic Opera House. Scheduled speakers include: former Michigan Governor Bill Milliken; film maker Irena Salina, environmental attorney Jim Olson; author Dave Dempsey (Great Lakes for Sale); and Terry Swier, President of MCWC. The panel will discuss strategies for citizens to correct what they are calling "a loop-hole in the Great Lakes Compact authorizing the export of water for private sale out of the Great Lakes."
Jim Olson, water law attorney said, “There is a giant loop-hole in the Great Lakes Compact diversion ban that just passed Congress. The ban doesn’t apply to water produced and put in a container. That means water placed in a container will be fair game for the engines of large corporations and their teams of lawyers under NAFTA and international trade law. Citizens, landowners, and businesses in Michigan need to know what’s happened so we can protect our water from future claims by outside interests.”
Access a release from MCWC with further details (click here).
The event begins with the Northern Michigan premier of Irena Salina’s New York Times critically-acclaimed film, Flow: For Love of Water, at Traverse City’s State Theatre at 3:00 PM. The film is a documentary about citizen efforts around the world, including Michigan, to stop the privatization or control of water by large corporations. Immediately after the film, a panel discussion and reception will be held at the city’s historic Opera House. Scheduled speakers include: former Michigan Governor Bill Milliken; film maker Irena Salina, environmental attorney Jim Olson; author Dave Dempsey (Great Lakes for Sale); and Terry Swier, President of MCWC. The panel will discuss strategies for citizens to correct what they are calling "a loop-hole in the Great Lakes Compact authorizing the export of water for private sale out of the Great Lakes."
Jim Olson, water law attorney said, “There is a giant loop-hole in the Great Lakes Compact diversion ban that just passed Congress. The ban doesn’t apply to water produced and put in a container. That means water placed in a container will be fair game for the engines of large corporations and their teams of lawyers under NAFTA and international trade law. Citizens, landowners, and businesses in Michigan need to know what’s happened so we can protect our water from future claims by outside interests.”
Access a release from MCWC with further details (click here).
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