Even in a state where water is abundant, unchecked water use is harming our state's natural resources and draining local supplies. Michigan has no programs in place to manage or regulate water withdrawals. Without a law governing water withdrawals, our natural resources are placed at risk, and individuals and businesses are more likely to end up in uncertain and costly litigation over conflicting water use.

This summer, the public is being asked in a variety of forums what it thinks about water use and water conservation in Michigan. The purpose of this guide is to give you a quick update on what's brewing and what you can do to have your voice heard.

Public hearings and town meetings are being held on two separate and related efforts-the proposed Great Lakes Compact and the Michigan Water Legacy Act.

Great Lakes Compact
Released by the Council of Great Lakes Governors at the end of July, the proposed compact is the result of three years of negotiations that started in 2001 when Gov. John Engler signed the Great Lakes Charter Annex. The purpose of the compact is to create a common set of standards by which water withdrawals are judged across the Great Lakes basin. A new regional council would be created that would have oversight over two types of withdrawals:

• Any out-of-basin consumptive use that exceeds one million gallons a day (averaged over a 120-day period).
• Any in-basin consumptive use that exceeds five million gallons a day (averaged over a 120-day period).
  

The proposed compact would also require the states to regulate all consumptive uses greater than 100,000 gallons a day within ten years of passing the agreement. More information on the proposed compact and opportunities for public comment can be found at www.speakongreatlakes.org.

Michigan Water Legacy Act
The Michigan Water Legacy Act (SB 1087/HB 5634) is state legislation to manage new large water withdrawals in Michigan and protect the supply of the state's freshwater. The Water Legacy Act would require water users to put in place economically-feasible water conservation practices and use water sustainably. Further, it would ensure that water withdrawals do not harm Michigan's lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands, and the wildlife and fisheries that depend on these natural resources.

It would initially only apply to new or increased withdrawals greater than two million gallons per day (averaged over a 30-day period) or 100 million gallons per year total (annual average of approximately 274,000 gallons per day), since these large water withdrawals are most likely to impact the state's water resources and other water users. The threshold for requiring permits for new or increased withdrawals would be lowered to 100,000 gallons per day averaged over a 30-day period in the year 2010.

MEC member groups are encouraged to join the policy and strategy discussions on this critical legislation. Interested groups should contact Cyndi Roper at Clean Water Action, (616) 742-4084, or James Clift at the Michigan Environmental Council, (517) 487-9539.

Great Lakes Compact Informational Hearings

Monday, August 16, 6:30 PM - Traverse City
Sponsors: Lake Michigan Federation, Tip of the Mitt

Tuesday, August 17, evening - Escanaba
Sponsors: Delta Co. Chamber of Commerce, Lake Michigan Federation

Wednesday, August 18, evening - Toledo, OH
Sponsors: Ohio Environmental Council, National Wildlife Federation

Thursday, August 26, evening - Southeast Michigan
Sponsors: National Wildlife Federation, Lake Michigan Federation

Monday, August 30, evening - Petoskey
Sponsors: Tip of the Mitt, Lake Michigan Federation

Great Lakes Compact Hearings
sponsored by the Office of the Great Lakes

Monday, August 30, 6:00 PM - St. Clair Shores
Tuesday, August 31, 2:30 PM - Cheboygan
Wednesday, September 1, 9:00 AM - Marquette
Thursday, September 2, 10:00 AM - Muskegon
Tuesday, September 14, 2:00 PM - Lansing

Joint hearings by the Council of Great Lakes Governors

Wednesday, September 8 - Chicago, IL
Monday, September 20 - Toronto, Ontario

Michigan Water Legacy Act Informational Hearings

Tuesday, August 17, 7-8:30 PM - Farmington
Sponsor: Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi

Wednesday, August 18, 7-9 PM
Sponsor: Rep. Steve Bieda

Wednesday, August 25, 7-9 PM
Sponsor: Michigan League of Conservation Voters

Wednesday, September 1, 7-9 PM
Sponsor: Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Will include participation by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Thursday, September 2, 7-9 PM
Sponsor: Rep. Kathleen Law