Calling the Great Lakes Water Compact the next step in fully protecting Michigan's great lakes ecosystems and clean water for the future, Sen. Carl Levin (D) introduced a resolution to pass the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact. The compact says, “the protection of the integrity of the Great Lakes Ecosystem shall be the overarching principle for reviewing proposals.”
The measure would use scientific principles to determine whether water can be diverted from the lakes, a shift from the Republican mind-set of doing anything to environment in order to let corporations make profits. The compact imposes "a scientific method for determining whether to allow a proposal to divert water from the Great Lakes, it makes our efforts to protect the lakes more clearly compliant with international trade agreements."
The measure also protects environmental standards from manipulation or challenge by countries or other international entities that might seek to weaken environmental protections here as part of a hindrance to "free trade."
I think the measure hints a serious and meaningful alternatives to the do-anything, free trade mentality that ruled while Republicans controlled our government. Now we are seeing the beginning of responsible protections that have a better shot at preserving water, animal and plant species, and other environmental ecosystems that we as humans need in order to survive.
Free trade, profits, and the market should not be prioritized over human needs or its survival.
Read Levin's full statement here...
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