Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, at the outset, I would like to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their work on this appropriations bill. While not perfect, the bill funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $300 million so that critically important work to clean up the Great Lakes can continue. My amendment would prohibit funds in this act from being used by States in violation of the Great Lakes Compact, an agreement among the eight Great Lakes States outlining how this precious and nonrenewable resource is to be managed. The compact prohibits water from being pumped to areas beyond the drainage basin, and sets strict criteria for any diversion request. To that end, a municipal government outside the basin recently had its application approved to divert up to 8.2 million gallons per day from Lake Michigan, most of which will be returned after being treated. This diversion request was only approved after conditions were met lowering the volume of water to be withdrawn as well as reducing the service territory it would be provided to. {time} 2250 Going forward, it will be important to ensure that the approval of this request does not set a precedent that will threaten to deplete this resource by encouraging further diversion requests that do not uphold the strict water management standards outlined in the compact.…”