McCain on Great Lakes Water Diversion

The Detroit Free Press today published excerpts from an editorial board visit with Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). The Free Press pressed him on the issue of Great Lakes water diversion to thirsty Southern states in the following exchange:
 
Q: You come from a state that is growing and dry. Michigan is a state that is shrinking and has lots of water. Do you see a time when states in the South and West might want to go after the water here?
 
A: I’m sure they might want to go after it. But I don’t see that as a likely scenario, because I think that would be up to the people of these states, and they wouldn’t enter into an agreement that would move water out of the Great Lakes to other states. I’m a federalist. I don’t think water should be taken from one area to another, unless there’s some kind of compact.

The Colorado compact, over the Colorado River, was the agreement of every state that was involved. I would think maybe, in this region, you might see compacts to share the water of the Great Lakes, and how to make best use of the water. But I don’t see them willingly saying they’ll ship all that water down to Arizona. If they would, I’d work on the pipeline myself.

Woah! Don’t get the work gloves out just yet, Senator, because we’re hoping the Great Lakes Water Compact passes and that pipeline is never built.
 
I would have liked the Free Press to ask perhaps a more pointed question that gets at not only the issue of water diversion, but also about the role we as a nation can play in restoring the Great Lakes-stopping sewage contamination, preventing invasive species and solving other serious threats-through the implementation of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy.
 
Here’s what I’d ask:
 
Mr. McCain, will you use your leadership as President to pass Great Lakes restoration legislation and to outlaw diversion of Great Lakes water?
 
That question looms large for all presidential hopefuls. Let’s see how each answers it in the coming months.

Great Lakes Mayors Issue Latest Challenge To Presidential Candidates: Great Lakes Support Key To Winning Midwest

Great Lakes Governor’s ring are you listening? A pledge like sugar on your lips sure would glisten. A beautiful sight, the Great Lakes Mayors unite asking for you to lend the Lakes a hand. First Wisconsin Governor Doyle lead the eight Great Lakes governors in asking the presidential hopefuls to outline their vision for the Great Lakes. Next, four Great Lakes Congressmen sent a letter to the candidates asking them to take a pledge to shepherd restoration into law and fully fund it while in office. Now, the Mayors of the Great Lakes have come forth and issued one more challenge to presidential candidates, congressional candidates and local lawmakers alike to fully support restoration of the Great Lakes.

In Racine, Wisconsin Friday, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative – a group designed to give US and Canadian mayors a voice on issues impacting the Great Lakes – held a press conference challenging candidates to protect the lakes, fund restoration and promise not to divert water to other parts of the U.S. or the world.

“We are spending millions of dollars on protection of the lakes, waste water treatment plants, storm sewers, local municipalities and towns are spending billions, but we need all levels of government to do the same. Today we are challenging the US presidential candidates to take strong positions on the lakes,” said David Ullrich, executive director of the Initiative.

Next, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley weighed in, “This issue is just as important as the Everglades was to the US.”

The Mayors then urged presidential candidates to support and implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy.

“The public deserves to know where the candidates stand on these topics and we will be sending a questionnaire asking each of them to state their positions on a number of critical issues currently facing the Great Lakes region,” said Daley.

The Mayors carrot: the great lakes states hold 25 percent of the electoral votes and several swing states. They hope this will pressure candidates to educate themselves on the issues surrounding the Great Lakes. “We need to get clear answers from the candidates regarding where they stand on this issue and this will be for congressional candidates as well as US presidential candidates,” Daley said. Once the primaries have produced two presidential candidates Daley has offered to work with their staff to bring them up to speed.

Of the US Congress, the Mayors want approval of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy and ballast water restrictions as well as restoration funding.“We need long term funding for the Great Lakes – as outlined in Great Lakes Restoration Strategy,” said Daley.

There are still six states that need to take action to approve the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The challenge urges these states to take action swiftly. By doing so, the states will help protect the lakes from water diversion. We need to “ensure that other areas of the country and world do not rely on the Great Lakes for their water supply,” Daley added. (Click here to read the Mayors Challenge, including expectations from Canada.)

Looks like all levels of Government in the Great Lakes region are challenging the candidates in unison. This kind of pressure will make it very difficult to ignore the Great Lakes as the 2008 presidential campaign moves forward. The Governors, Congressmen and Mayors won’t let candidates forget the region controls 141 electoral votes and possesses a few swing states that could determine the final count on Election Day. When it comes right down to it, all we want for Christmas is a promise to restore the Great Lakes once and for all.

Obama, Clinton Pick up the Gauntlet and Sign the Great Lakes Pledge

A few weeks ago, four Great Lakes Congressmen joined forces to challenge each presidential hopeful to take a pledge to make protecting and restoring the Great Lakes a priority of the winner’s administration.

“As you work to craft your presidential platform, we, as elected officials encourage you to adopt comprehensive Great Lakes restoration as a key element of your campaign,” stated the pledge letter signed by Reps. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.).

In a story appearing today, Associated Press reporter John Flesher writes: “Presidential commitment to the Great Lakes means one thing: fully funding restoration now, because the longer we wait, the problems get worse and more costly,” said Jeff Skelding, national campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

Late last week, healthylakes.org was informed by Barack Obama’s campaign that he signed the pledge. Today’s AP article adds Hillary Clinton to the list of signatories. By signing, Obama and Clinton, as US President commit to appoint a cabinet-level official to spearhead the implementation of the Great Lakes Collaboration Restoration Strategy; preparing an annual restoration budget addressing the problems the lakes face and putting real dollars into the restoration.

Obama has the advantage of knowing first hand the significance of the Great Lakes, perhaps that is why he signed on so quickly and don’t forget, he is the only top candidate to send an emissary to the Healing Our Waters Coalition’s annual conference this past September.

After signing the pledge, Obama stated, “ I am proud to sign the Great Lakes Protection Pledge, and when I am President, the Great Lakes Collaboration will receive real support, real financial resources, and real leadership from the federal government. As a resident of the Great Lakes region, I understand the importance of this critical natural resource to our nation’s economy, environment and public welfare.”

Around the same time that the Congressmen sent the pledge letters to the candidates for President, the eight Great Lake Governors sent a letter to the same White House hopefuls and held a press conference asking them to outline their vision for the Great Lakes and acknowledge support of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Restoration and Protection Strategy. What followed was silence. Chair of the Great Lakes Governors, Gov. Jim Doyle (D-Wisc.) told HOW that although his office contacted each candidate’s office to stress the importance of the issue and asked for a response, “To date,” Doyle continues, “we have not received any formal responses from any of the Presidential candidates.”

We are at a crucial moment in time; the next U.S. President’s actions will determine the fate of more than 90 percent of our nation’s fresh surface water. But then, the Great Lakes states have the power to determine who the next president will be. The lakes belong to a region with control over 141 electoral votes and they border five swing states, at least one of which had the distinction of deciding the last presidential election. And since we won’t vote for anyone who is silent or who fails to promise to restore the Great Lakes, it is vital that the other candidates join Obama and take the pledge. In the meantime, healthylakes.org will continue to follow up with the rest of the candidates from both parties and keep our readers apprised of their choices to take the pledge or not to take the pledge. Is there really any question?

Governor Doyle: Great Lakes Need To Be A Priority For Congress and The President

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has been credited with putting the green back into Wisconsin policies, and it appears he is trying to share the enthusiasm across the Great Lakes region. As Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, Doyle, a Democrat, held a press conference recently and launched the first pitch for aggressive action to save the Great Lakes and asked presidential hopefuls to outline their vision for the Great Lakes. Now, he has taken time to share with HOW his thoughts on why the Great Lakes are so vital to the region and the nation, why national politicians need to start addressing issues affecting the Lakes and why water diversion would be bad policy.

Q1. Recently, you announced that the Great Lakes Governors had agreed that the 2008 presidential candidates need to outline their vision for the Great Lakes when they stump in the region. Why is it important that they do so and have any of the candidates risen to this challenge?

A. The Great Lakes constitute the largest surface freshwater system in the world. More than 35 million Americans receive the benefits of drinking water, food, a place to work and live, recreational opportunities and transportation from the Great Lakes.

Our national economy depends on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes generate $55 billion annually through tourism for the entire Great Lakes region. And they create nearly $377 million in personal income from wages and salaries. In Wisconsin alone, the Great Lakes support over 11,000 jobs in Wisconsin’s ports.

However, progress to protect and restore the Great Lakes continues too slowly because the States, without proper support from the federal government, can only achieve so much. That’s why I have called on the Presidential candidates to share their vision for the Great Lakes with us. We need a partner who will help us to build upon our work to protect, preserve, and improve the Great Lakes.

Actions in coming months and years will determine whether our shared efforts will accelerate or falter. The next President will have a key role in determining the fate of the Great Lakes. The Governors have been working hard to protect the Great Lakes through measures like the Great Lakes Water Compact but it is only through supportive federal policy that we will be able to realize our shared vision of a protected and restored Great Lakes.

We have contacted each candidate’s office to stress the importance of this issue and asked them to respond to my letter. To date, we have not received any formal responses from any of the Presidential candidates.

Q2. Please explain what the Great Lakes mean to Wisconsinites and why this issue is important in the 2008 Presidential election.

A. The economy of Wisconsin, as well as that of the other Great Lakes States, is heavily dependent on the continued health and sustainable use of Great Lakes water. Water quality is important. For example, each year, marine commerce on the Great Lakes/Seaway System generates more than $4.3 billion in personal income, $3.4 billion in transportation-related business revenue and $1.3 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

The Great Lakes provide about 20 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power annually and transport of almost 200 million tons of international and interlake cargo.

Of course they are also one of the reasons why people live and work in Wisconsin. They are a valuable recreation resource that many people enjoy for hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching.

Q3. What are the greatest problems facing the lakes that need immediate addressing?

A. In 2003, the Great Lakes Governors came together to bring some coherence to our region’s restoration and protection efforts. Through the Council of Great Lakes Governors, we created the Great Lakes Governors’ Priorities Task Force to develop restoration and protection priorities for our region.

We developed nine priorities to protect and restore the Great Lakes and pushed for aggressive action to achieve our goals. The priorities include:
· Sustainable use of water resources;
· Protecting human health;
· Controlling pollution from diffuse sources;
· Reducing persistent bio-accumulative toxics;
· Stopping the introduction and spread of non-native aquatic invasive species;
· Protecting coastal wetland and wildlife habitats;
· Restoring the most contaminated toxic hot spots;
· Improving information collection and dissemination; and
· Adopting practices that protect the environment along with the recreational and commercial value of the Great Lakes.

We’ve pressed hard for the completion of the Asian Carp Barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and even come together as the eight Great Lakes States to make up a temporary financial shortfall that at the time prevented construction from being continued.

We continue to seek full funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds in order to update our region’s aging wastewater infrastructure and stop sewage dumping into the Great Lakes.

And we are seeking support for the Great Lakes Legacy Act to clean up our region’s most contaminated toxic hot spots.

We also must begin restoration work immediately of 200,000 acres of wetlands in the Great Lakes Basin. The States remain committed to working with other non-federal partners to provide an additional $28.5 million cost-share toward this end. These monies would help provide vital habitat to birds and wildlife, while also helping protect water quality.

Q4. The eight Great Lakes governors environmental platform includes policies to protect against water diversion while restoring the ecosystem. Why are both important? How do you feel about the idea of diverting Great Lakes water to help out states affected by drought conditions?

A. Every drop of water in the Great Lakes is used, whether for drinking, manufacturing, transporting ships, or to protect the ecological health of the system. For example, and as the Brown County Port Director recently pointed out, for every inch of water lost, that’s 100 tons of cargo that can’t be put on a ship. The hydro-power industries can similarly provide you with information as to how much more electricity will cost to generate for every ¼ inch of water lost to the system. And, of course, the continued health of the ecosystem itself is reliant upon water levels being maintained.

The Great Lakes Region, including both states and provinces agreed to the Compact in 2005. Now, each of the states and provinces is working on an individual plan that addresses their specific issues. This is due to each state or province having a unique situation, separate from the other Great Lakes Region members. We encourage other states to develop a sustainable water resource plan of their own, just as we are doing here in the Great Lakes Region. As other states move forward in this process we encourage them to consider how they will balance conservation efforts as well as economic development needs.

Q5. The Governors of the Great Lakes have really taken a leadership role in pressuring Congress to deal with invasive species and concerns around ballast water –what can Congress do to better serve the Great Lakes region?

A. The State of Wisconsin has not waited for federal leadership on this issue. Wisconsin is actually leading Great Lakes Basin States in ballast water research with regard to on-shore and in-port treatments.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) continue to pose one of the most serious threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem. An average of one new species is discovered in the Great Lakes ecosystem every eight months, and once present, eradication is often impossible. Prevention is vital to stemming ecosystem impacts from new invasive species. And, because invasive species easily transfer from watershed to watershed, it is absolutely critical that comprehensive national action be taken to combat their spread.

Aquatic invasive species cost the nation billions of dollars in damages each year, are a burden on the economy and strain Great Lakes states’ budgets. They pose a threat to human health and cause immeasurable ecological damage. Further, AIS are injurious to our region’s sport and commercial fisheries and associated tourism and recreation.

Great Lakes Governors continue to call for a comprehensive National Aquatic Invasive Species Act to be passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by the President.

The problem of AIS continues to grow. In fact, in the months that have passed since our September 2005 request for comprehensive Federal invasive species legislation, several new AIS have been discovered in the Great Lakes region alone. These include, for example, the bloody red shrimp, the New Zealand mudsnail and the fish disease viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). Additionally, existing invasive species such as the quagga mussel have spread to Lake Superior and Lake Mead, illustrating how invasive species can move from one area of the country to another.

Congressional action is long overdue. While State and regional actions against AIS remain critical to establishing a complete and protective framework, a coordinated and comprehensive national approach is the only long-term means of stopping new invasive species from penetrating the Great Lakes.

Q6. What more can the Governors do to get comprehensive legislation moving in Congress?

A. Every year for the last several years, the Great Lakes Governors have shared with the U.S. Congress our legislative and appropriation priorities to advance Great Lakes restoration and protection. And every year, we have called on Congress to enact comprehensive invasive species legislation. We will continue to take every opportunity, including letters, testimony and one-on-one discussions, to impress upon the Members of Congress the importance of effectively combating the scourge of aquatic invasive species.

Q7. If Congress continues to delay action, what are states like Wisconsin prepared to do?

A. Such delays are unacceptable. However, States such as Wisconsin continue to address the threat posed by invasive species from each available angle. In Wisconsin, we have worked with the Port of Milwaukee to study the option of shore-based ballast water treatment and a report will be completed soon. Additionally, the Great Lakes States have partnered with others through the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration to create Clean Boat Day, focused on educating recreational users to help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS.

Q8. A recent Brookings Institution report concluded that restoring the Great Lakes would lead to at least $50 billion in long-term economic gain for the region. Talk about what the Great Lakes mean to Wisconsin’s economy.

A. The Great Lakes Basin, including groundwater resources, covers nearly a third of the State. Our manufacturing industries, our ports, our agricultural community, our recreational industries, our Tribal communities, and our residential communities all rely upon a clean and available water resource and will so for generations. Our economy cannot continue to grow unless we are assured that that most invaluable resource—Great Lakes Water—is restored, protected and sustainably used now and into the future.

Great Lakes Advocate Congresswoman Louise Slaughter Honored

On Saturday New York Rep. Louise Slaughter, was honored with a Great Laker Award for her dedication to restoration. It can be argued that Rep. Slaughter put the “woman” in Congresswoman with her eleven terms of service and dedication to women’s issues. But that isn’t all the Represenative has committed to in her service, in addition, she has tirelessly served Western New York and is greatly concerned with the region’s economic situation. She believes that approving the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act would be a giant leap in the direction of economic recovery - not just for Western New York but for the entire region. She recognizes that healthy lakes equal a healthy economy and as co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, Slaughter promises to continue to fight for legislation that will repair and improve the Great Lakes. Read for yourself from the Congresswoman’s own words that she shared with us in this question and answer session with the Healing Our Waters Coalition.

Q: Why are the Great Lakes important to you?

A: The Great Lakes are a national and regional treasure that contains nearly 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater and 95 percent of the U.S fresh surface water.  The health of the lakes is vital to the 34 million U.S. and Canadian citizens who make their homes and earn their livelihood in the surrounding areas.  The Great Lakes are one of the country’s greatest fish and wildlife habitats and most important sources of drinking water.  In my own district in Western New York, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and its connecting channels are critical to our economic health, and serve as an essential role in transportation, trade and recreation.  And of course, they’re simply beautiful and majestic. 

Q: How have the Great Lakes played a role in your Congressional service?

A: The Great Lakes have certainly played a large role in my Congressional service.  For over 20 years I have represented a district that boarders Lake Ontario, and since 2002 my district has included the large stretch of Great Lakes coastline from Rochester to Buffalo that includes both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.  As I mentioned above, these waters are critical to the economic health of my district, and therefore one of my priorities in Congress has always been to restore and protect the Great Lakes.  It is this commitment to the Lakes that drove my decision to become a co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force.  Through this Task Force, my fellow co-chairs and I have worked as a united voice to protect the well being of Great Lakes region, and to push forward legislation that best serves the environmental and economic health of the Great Lakes. 

Q: You cosponsored the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act – what is the status of this legislation?

A: This legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the Committees on Natural Resources, Science and Technology, and House Administration.  While I do not sit on any of these Committees, I will do all I can to see that it moves forward. 

Q: Can you discuss the economic impact that the passage of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act would bring to the region?

A: This bill’s passage would have an incredible economic impact on the region.  The Brookings Report announced earlier this year that if fully implemented, the initiatives laid out by the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy, most of which are incorporated in the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act, would produce a direct economic benefit of at least $50 billion, including $6.5 – $11.8 billion from tourism, fishing and recreation, and $12 – 19 billion from increased commercial and residential property values.  There are few investments that give you a greater return than an investment in the Great Lakes.

Q:How do we get the Great Lakes restoration efforts onto the Democratic presidential candidates’ agendas?

A: With so many problems facing this nation at home and abroad, issues like these can often get lost in the shuffle. I think that due to the fact that Great Lakes are one of the nation’s most important environmental resources, and the fact that millions of Americans depend on them every day, it will soon become important to voters and candidates alike.  Right now, it is important that those in the Great Lake communities do what they can to make sure the Presidential candidates are aware of the issues and take the right stand.  It is also important that we in Congress continue to push Great Lakes issues to the front of the legislative agenda.  By making these issues priorities, we can ensure that they get the attention that they deserve. 

Q: Would you mind sharing a favorite memory from the Lakes?

A: I have so many fond memories of the Great Lakes that I am simply unable to think of any one favorite.  I must mention, however, the time I have spent in Wilson on Lake Ontario, viewing the sunset over the lake.  It was absolutely gorgeous, and made me think of how blessed some people are to have their homes on the Great Lakes and to be able to experience that every day.