Indiana’s Senate has discovered a good way to ensure that the Great Lakes don’t lose precious water to Southern and Western states – and that they remain ecologically and economically sound by passing the regional Compact.
If Indiana’s House shows similar support – the Senate passed it unanimously – then it will become the third state to agree to regulate, conserve and protect the five lakes. Minnesota and Illinois have signed the compact. There are rumblings in New York supporting it too, according to recent news stories that have appeared in the Buffalo News and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Governor Elliot Spitzer raised the issue during his state-of-upstate speech as well.
“In recent years, many New Yorkers near the Great Lakes have been troubled to hear that water levels have been dropping. This poses a threat to shipping, to our fisheries, and to our ecosystems—in other words, to the economy and quality of life in Great Lakes communities. That’s why, today, I call upon the Legislature to pass the Great Lakes Compact, so we can join a multi-state effort to regulate water levels and maintain a strong, sustainable Great Lakes ecosystem and economy,” Gov. Spitzer said.
So, it appears Albany is moving toward approval. That leaves Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Once the states agree, Congress then has to give its seal of approval.
While we continue to strive to get a federal commitment to the restoration package, it still behooves the states to empower themselves to protect the lakes themselves. Last Fall’s ballast bill brouhaha is a good example of what can happen if the states don’t pass the compact soon – if that bill were to pass as is then states would lose the right to control ballast issues in their own waterways. States need to act now to protect their own interests in Washington. Remember, to date, only Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain has signed our Great Lakes pledge for sure – even if we get everyone of the hopefuls on board, the states will be in a better position for future negotiations if they have the compact to stand upon.
Related posts:
- The Day after Tomorrow: The Great Lakes in Crisis
- Fast-Pace Ratification!
- McCain Signs Pledge, State Houses Demand Others Follow Suit
- Down to the Wire
- Local Party Officials Urge Candidates on Great Lakes