Lawmaker to oppose Great Lakes compact
WASHINGTON (AP) A key Michigan lawmaker says he will oppose a compact to prevent the diversion of water from the Great Lakes because it allows bottled water to be shipped from the region.
Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak, who represents northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, said Monday the compact still has many unanswered questions and doesn't adequately protect the lakes from water diversions.
The House was expected to vote on the compact later Monday. The agreement was ratified by the Senate in August.
The agreement was negotiated by eight Great Lakes states. It prevents countries or remote states from tapping into the lakes from their natural drainage basin with rare exceptions.
Sep 23, 2008 at 12:40 a.m.
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Possibly his ex-brother-in-law owns a water bottling plant on one of the Great Lakes. More likely he doesn't give a rat's rear, but wants one or more concessions from another Michigan legislator who is a proponent of the Great Lakes compact.
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Of course, I could be wrong. He could genuinely be worried that Arizona or Nevada is going to haul enough 12-20 ounce bottles of water via truck, rail, or the Saint Lawrence Seaway to drain Lake Michigan dry.
Sep 22, 2008 at 3:14 p.m.
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That's sort of an odd objection, considering the stakeholders have spent years forging a compact and have already agreed to it.
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