September 8, 2005

Devastating effects of water in Gulf Region highlight need for action

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today urged action to preserve the Great Lakes, calling them one of the most important natural resources in North America. 
 
“We are seeing the devastating effects of water in New Orleans this past week – from a raging, angry hurricane to the disease and danger of a relentless flood,” Granholm told members of the Michigan United Conservation Club and National Wildlife Federation at a meeting in Grand Rapids.  “This reminds us of the power of the water that surrounds us here in Michigan, the power to fuel our economy and our spirits and the power to submerge and sink and destroy.  Water is not to be taken lightly, especially not our Great Lakes.”
 
“The Great Lakes are our heart in Michigan, they define our identity, our economy and our soul,” Granholm added.  “This is a great opportunity to elevate a discussion we have around Michigan every day: How can we protect what is perhaps the most important natural resource in North America and the resource that is part and parcel of who we are as a state?”
 
Granholm again called on the Legislature to enact a water withdrawal statute like the Water Legacy Act, which she first proposed in January 2004, to live up to the state’s 1985 commitment under the Great Lakes Charter to regulate water withdrawals.   Earlier this year, Granholm placed a temporary moratorium on permits and approvals for new or increased bottled water operations in Michigan, until the Legislature passes comprehensive water withdrawal legislation.
 
“I would argue that perhaps more than anywhere else, in Michigan, the health of the Lakes is tied directly to our state’s health,” Granholm said.  “We know there are threats to the Great Lakes Basin now, from invasive species to pollution, and they are only increasing.  That is why we are so protective of them and why safeguarding them has been a top priority for my administration.”
 
Granholm credited the Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs which began hearings on water withdrawal and ground water around the state.  The Governor noted the Senate’s final hearing earlier this week with hope that out of these hearings and by working with the Legislature in a bi-partisan fashion, Michigan will deliver a strong, solid water withdrawal law for Michigan. 

Proposing the Water Legacy Act is just one of several steps Granholm has taken to protect and restore the Great Lakes.  Since January 2003 Granholm:

• Placed a prohibition on the open water disposal of contaminated dredge sediments in the Great Lakes.

• Established the Michigan Clean Water Corps to empower citizens to help protect the lakes through a volunteer network that monitors state waters.

• Signed legislation to renew groundwater permit fees, enabling the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to issue permits and complete inspections for businesses that discharge treated water into the groundwater system allowing for increased monitoring of companies and municipalities to ensure discharges are within legal limits.

• Signed legislation to collect fees under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to protect our lakes and streams from contaminated wastewater.

• Continued working with the Council of Great Lakes Governors to pursue a common, conservation-based standard to make decisions on water use and to protect the Great Lakes against diversion and unwise use.

• Michigan is the first Great Lakes state to pass legislation regulating the discharge of ballast water from ocean going ships. By 2007, Michigan will require all ocean going ships to obtain a permit from DEQ before discharging in Michigan waters.