The near-simultaneous release of two plans designed to protect and restore the Great Lakes gives Michigan citizens a chance to stand up for the world's largest freshwater ecosystem this month.

The two plans are:

• A proposal to spend $20 billion in federal and state funds to clean up and restore the health of the Great Lakes.
• An agreement among the eight Great Lakes states to tighten controls on water exports and to promote water conservation by industry, agriculture and consumers.

Authors of both plans released them early this summer for 60-day public comment periods.

"Michigan is at the heart of the Great Lakes, and Michigan citizens need to be at the heart of these two debates," said MEC President Lana Pollack. "We're doing everything we can to help citizens understand the two agreements and make their views known."

The proposed Great Lakes restoration plan calls for measures to stop the introduction of invasive species like the zebra mussel, reduce the use and speed the cleanup of toxic substances, improve sewage treatment and restore wetlands.

"It's basically a decent plan, but it will mean nothing unless it's funded," said MEC Policy Director James Clift. "The most important point citizens can make is that they want President Bush and Congress to fulfill their commitments to act on this plan when it is made final."

The proposed water withdrawal agreement-an interstate compact that will have to be ratified by each of the eight state legislatures and approved by the U.S. Congress-establishes a "no new diversions" policy for Great Lakes water but with some exceptions.

Great Lakes restoration

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through a process begun by an executive order signed by President Bush in May 2004, has released a draft plan outlining steps and costs needed to protect the health of the Great Lakes. The estimated $20 billion cost of the plan comes without any guaranteed state or federal commitment to fund it. To learn more about the plan and to register your comments by the deadline of September 9, 2005, go to: http://www.glrc.us.

Limiting harmful Great Lakes water uses and exports

The Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario have released revised draft agreements intended to promote water conservation and to limit the risk of harmful water uses and exports outside the Great Lakes Basin. Debate persists over whether the agreements will be effective in preventing the loss of Great Lakes water, and control of that water, to other regions of the U.S., North America and even other continents.

To learn more about the agreements and to speak out by the official deadline of August 30, 2005, go to: http://www.cglg.org/projects/water/annex2001Implementing.asp.