danger to the Great Lakes compact

Dead-enders in Wisconsin and Ohio suddenly think they have the power to undo the Great Lakes compact, although they aren't putting it that way. No, they will try to pass an amended compact that is 'better' than the one that has passed or is about to pass four states, in the hopes that they'll all see the wisdom of Wisconsin and Ohio and go along too.

And what's the big issue they're addressing in their 'improved' compact? Why, turning over the Great Lakes to private parties (and special interests). They're for this! They're either unable to understand the implications of their actions, ignorant of what the public trust is, or doing the bidding of those who want to privatize the lakes, starting with the tributaries. The idea that the compact as is will affect anyone's use of a private well on their property is absurd. But the language proposed to rectify this non-existent issue will artificially sever some water from other water, and create a class of private waters that Nestle and others can tap without any public approval.

The current language states that “The Waters of the Basin are a precious natural resource shared and held in trust by the states.” While that sounds reasonable on its face, Senator Grendell noted that the “devil is in the details.” The problem is that “waters of the Basin” is defined as not just the Great Lakes, streams and navigable surface waters, but also includes groundwater and wells, that run under and supply the homes of private property owners throughout the 35 counties in Ohio that are part of the Basin.

Grendell’s alternative Compact simply proposes that the language of the Compact be modified to read: “The Waters of the Basin are precious public natural resources and, except for tributary groundwater and nonnavigable surface waters, are shared and held in trust by the states. In addition, the Waters of the Basin are subject to reasonable regulation by the Council.”

“We support passage of a multi-state Compact to protect the Great Lakes,” Grendell said. “What we cannot support is ambiguous language that would call into question for example, the rights of private property owners to use or tap into groundwater on their own land. As it stands today, the Compact we are being asked to approve would be in direct conflict with Ohio's tradition of strong private property rights."

Download 02.14.08 Ohio Senate  Wisconsin State Assembly.doc

Comments

[Jeff Doehner]

The Great Lakes Compact to regulate all inland water sources as supported by certain State Representatives must be stopped dead in its tracks. Inland waters not only consist of the Great Lakes but also the whole Great Lakes watershed. This includes but is not limited to ponds, streams, rivers and even the aquifers under our properties. The supporters of this policy want to actually meter private water wells and charge people for using what is rightfully theirs. People are losing their rights and more and more of their money everyday and we can’t sit back and let this go on any longer. Just because the water on or under our properties eventually flows back into the Great Lakes does not make it theirs while it’s actually under our property. The majority of supporters do not even live in the great lakes watershed. The powers to be are trying to slip this through with “clarifying language” but this is a smokescreen. It is basically another energy grab! We do not need the compact as we already have a federal law protecting diversion of the Great Lakes. If our water is in a state trust our God given right to water will be in the hands of a few and they can revoke our right to our own water at anytime. The air we breathe eventually flows away from our house. Do they want to regulate the air and eventually and charge us for it? When are people going to wake up and put a stop to all this nonsense?