July 23, 2008

Sens. Levin, Voinovich Unveil Great Lakes Compact Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and George V. Voinovich (R-OH) – co-chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force – today introduced legislation to ratify the Great Lakes Compact, a bipartisan agreement among the Great Lakes states to protect the Great Lakes through better water management, conservation and public involvement. The legislation is the next step towards the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact becoming law because it must be ratified by Congress. “The Great Lakes are a tremendous natural resource for Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes basin,” said Sen. Levin. “A great deal of progress has been made towards safeguarding the Great Lakes from exports and diversions, and the Great Lakes Compact will build on the existing protections.”

Senator Levin Floor Statement on Great Lakes Compact

July 9 ,2008

Granholm Signs Great Lakes Water Compact – Governor Granholm signed bills last week to implement the Great Lakes Water Compact (HB 4343 and SB 212) and create a Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool (HBs 5065-67, 5069 and 5073; SBs 212, 723, 727, 858, 859 and 860), which will ensure Michigan's water remains intact to benefit the state's residents and economy. MRWA joins  in commending the legislative leaders who persisted in this truly monumental legislation.  This legislation puts Michigan at the forefront for protecting our water resources.  Now it is up to Congress to ratify this legislation, so please contact your legislators to push for this compact to be ratified.

MRWA Water Withdrawal Legislative Advisory

MRWA Testimonty at March 5, 2008 Great Lakes and Natural Resources Enviroment Committee Meeting

Water Withdrawal Legislation Enacted into Law
Regulatory Advisory Prepared by AWWA Water Utility Committee

Legislative Bills in the State Legislature

Water Compact Legislation HB 4343 and SB 212.

Water Withdrawal Legislation in the Michigan House of Representatives HB 5065,5066, 5067, 5068, 5069, 5070, 5071, 5072, 5073

Water Withdrawal Legislation in the Michigan Senate SB 858, 859, 860.

To Review Text of the Bills and summary analysis please go to the Michigan Legislature Web Site and type in the bill number.