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September 1, 2004Diversion proposal discussedByRecord-Eagle staff writer CHEBOYGAN - A public information meeting on a draft proposal to regulate Great Lakes water diversion and uses might seem an odd place to find an Arizona resident. But Jeneiene Schaffer of Tucson, in the area visiting Burt Lake relatives, offered a unique perspective Tuesday at the Cheboygan session on the proposed Great Lakes Charter Annex 2001. The "overdeveloping" American Southwest has an "insatiable thirst for water," because Lakes Mead and Powell are at only 54 and 40 percent of their capacity after a long drought. "People are eyeing these Great Lakes greedily," she said. "In order to preserve your water quality and water amount, I strongly urge you to allow no new diversions." The Charter Annex proposal makes large-scale diversions difficult, but they are allowed under certain circumstances. An average of 1 million gallons a day could be taken out of the Great Lakes basin over a 120-day period, if approved by the eight Great Lakes governors and Ontario and Quebec leaders. At least a 6-2 vote of Great Lakes governors would be required for new or expanded withdrawals that resulted in the loss of 5 million gallons of Great Lakes water a day if it fell into the "consumptive use" category - defined as water taken from the basin and not returned" due to evaporation, incorporation into other products or other processes." Many in Tuesday's meeting audience, including U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, voiced concern. Stupak said the federal Water Resources Development Act was much clearer, allowing no diversion of water from the Great Lakes Basin. "I think we are lowering our standards," he said. The larger withdrawal amount allowed under the consumptive use standard could include bottled water plants such as a controversial one opened by Nestle in Mecosta County, Stupak said. A state public hearing on the proposal is scheduled Sept. 14 in Lansing. Similar hearings are being held in all of the Great Lakes states.
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