LANSING – State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) 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.
"These water protections are an important step in safeguarding our Great Lakes and our way of life," Sheltrown said. "Until today, Michigan was the only Great Lakes state with virtually no laws in place to protect our waters. The state now has the tools needed to protect our lakes and rivers for generations to come."
The Governor signed into law a water-protection package – embraced by environmental, conservation, industry 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.
- Improves reporting requirements for large-scale water users to provide for better management of our water resources.
"The tourism industry is essential to our economy in northern Michigan," Sheltrown said. "Our waterways are part of the beauty and appeal of northern Michigan that keep visitors coming back. By protecting our waters, we are protecting our livelihoods. This water protection package is a victory for Michigan."