LANSING – With Governor Jennifer Granholm’s signatures Wednesday, Michigan became the last state to ratify the Great Lakes Compact and arguably became the first of the Great Lakes states to fully implement the proposal to limit withdrawals from the basin. With all eight states now on board, the language has to be adopted by Congress to make the plan enforceable.

The 12-bill package not only enacts the compact, which puts limits on how water can be transported out of the Great Lakes Basin without approval of all eight governors, but it places limits on how much water can be drawn out of surface and ground waters of the state to avoid affecting other users and the ecosystems those waters feed. Property owners will be able to determine whether they need a state permit for a proposed well through a new online water withdrawal assessment tool.

Though the agreement did not put as strict of limits on water use as some environmental groups had sought, the compact signing was broadly seen as a triumph for the state’s waters.

“This is a defining moment in Michigan history,” Granholm said on signing the legislation on the beach in Saugatuck. “We must do our part to ensure that our Great Lakes are protected and preserved for generations to come – this legislation fulfills that promise.”

“This is a magnificent moment for Michigan. We are fortunate to have an abundance of water in our lakes, streams and rivers,” said Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R-Saugatuck Twp.), the Senate’s lead negotiator on the package. “With an increasing number of thirsty states and countries looking for sources of fresh water, however, we have to take every precaution to ensure that our waters will be protected for future generations. This historic legislation will help preserve our waters but keep them available for recreational, agricultural and business purposes.”

Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), the House’s primary negotiator on the package, also attended the signing ceremony.

“This compact, along with the Water Legacy Act of 2006, are among the most significant pieces of legislation we have passed in a generation,” said House Minority Leader Craig DeRoche (R-Novi). “I applaud Governor Granholm’s strong leadership on this issue and willingness to work with Republican legislators to strike this important compromise to protect our Great Lakes.”

“There were times that I thought this day would never come,” said Andy Buchsbaum, regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office and veteran of many Great Lakes Compact workgroups. “To think that all eight Great Lakes states have passed the exact same law to protect the lakes… and that the law they passed is so visionary and effective. It’s taken almost ten years from beginning to end, but the results are worth it. This is a remarkable, once in a lifetime achievement. And it’s due to the hard work, dedication and vision of Great Lakes state leaders like Michigan’s Governor Granholm, Senator Patty Birkholz, and Representative Rebekah Warren.”

But there were indications at least some groups still wanted to see more out of the package.

“Clean Water Action also stands with its Great Lakes, Great Michigan coalition partners in support of the negotiated water agreement which includes the Great Lakes Compact and improvements to Michigan’s water protection laws, both of which are important to protecting our water and connected natural areas,” the group said in a statement. “But we are deeply disappointed in the Senate Republicans who refused to enhance Michigan’s water security by strengthening the public trust which puts the public interest before those of corporate interests.”

Business and farm groups had raised concerns that the public trust language Clean Water Action and other groups were seeking, and that was approved by the House, would infringe on some legitimate water use rights by property owners.

“Michigan farmers rely on water to produce food. As such, this legislative package accomplishes two things that are critical to the continuation and growth of agriculture in this state. One, it protects the Great Lakes from diversion by ratifying the Great Lakes Compact into Michigan law. Secondly, it implements a water management system that includes the adoption of a first-of-its-kind water use assessment tool that will help water users to understand if a new use will adversely impact the environment” said Michigan Farm Bureau President Wayne Wood.

The bills signed today are SB 212 (PA 190), SB 858 (PA 187), SB 859 (PA 186), SB 860 (PA 185), SB 723 (PA 189), SB 727 (PA 188), HB 4343 (PA 184), HB 5065 (PA 183), HB 5066 (PA 182), HB 5067 (PA 181), HB 5069 (PA 180) and HB 5073 (PA 179).

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