LANSING – The Michigan House today introduced a bold plan that will protect Great Lakes water – Michigan's most precious natural resource – from being diverted and sold for profit to other states and nations. The "Great Lakes, Great Michigan" plan also strengthens environmental protections; requires large-scale users to adopt tougher conservation practices; and gives citizens the ability to hold companies accountable for violating water protection laws.
"The Great Lakes are part of our heritage, our culture and an important part of our state's economy," said State Representative Mike Simpson (D-Liberty Township). "Our boaters and anglers each contribute $2 billion annually in state revenue. Our message is clear: Our water is not for sale."
The Democratic package:
- Ratifies the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact, which will ban diversions of water outside of the Great Lakes Basin.
- Toughens standards for companies that try to bottle up and sell off Great Lakes and Michigan water for profit.
- Strengthens water protection standards by requiring state approval for withdrawals above 1 million gallons per day, down from 2 million gallons per day.
- Requires large-scale water users such as municipalities, utilities and others to implement water conservation practices.
- Gives the public additional tools to hold companies accountable when they violate water protection laws, and increases the maximum civil fine from $1,000 to $10,000 for most water use violations.
Democrats also noted that the three biggest industries in Michigan – agriculture, manufacturing and tourism – depend heavily on healthy Great Lakes water.