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State Representative Thomas Huntley
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2228
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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CONGRESS APPROVES MEASURE TO PROTECT GREAT LAKES WATER
The United States Congress today passed the Great Lakes Compact, a historic action designed to protect the lakes. The Minnesota State Legislature was the first to approve this pact, legislation authored by State Representative Tom Huntley, that will prevent outsiders from diverting water from the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River Basin to other parts of the country.
“Water shortages across the globe continue to become more severe, making water one of our nation’s most valuable resources," said Huntley. “This agreement will guarantee that our water cannot be diverted from the Great Lakes to other parts of the country, protecting these valuable assets for years to come.”
Rep. Huntley served on the commission that helped put together the Governor's compact. He was author of the legislation that was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in February of 2007, and signed in Duluth by Governor Pawlenty. It was also passed by seven other states and two Canadian provinces.
The eight states and two provinces originally began talking about the agreement because of fears that states in arid parts of the country, particularly the growing Southwest, would try to tap into the lakes, which hold 90 percent of the nation's fresh surface water. According to Huntley, this agreement will prevent that by allowing water to be transferred from Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, Superior and Ontario only to communities within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin.
“The Great Lakes are a national treasure that must be protected, and they are key to the economic health and future of not only the communities and states that border the lakes, but our nation as a whole,” said Huntley. “I’m very pleased it was passed today by Congress, and I look forward to the day President Bush signs it into law.”
The Compact includes the following points:
• Economic development will be fostered through sustainable use and responsible management of Basin waters.
• In general, there will be a ban on new diversions of water from the Basin but limited exceptions could be allowed in communities near the Basin when rigorous standards are met.
• Communities that apply for an exception will have a clear, predictable decision making process; standards to be met; and, opportunities to appeal decisions. These processes and standards do not exist under current law.
• The States will use a consistent standard to review proposed uses of Basin water. The States will have flexibility regarding their water management programs and how to apply this standard.
• Regional goals and objectives for water conservation and efficiency will be developed, and they will be reviewed every five years. Each State will develop and implement a water conservation and efficiency program that may be voluntary or mandatory.
• There is a strong commitment to continued public involvement in the implementation of the Compact.
For more information, contact Rep. Tom Huntley at 651-296-2228 or by email at rep.thomas.huntley@house.mn. Additional information is also available at www.cglg.org.
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- Two Year Anniversary: Affordable Care Act Puts Minnesotans First - (Posted: 2012-03-23 00:00:00)
- Huntley, Murphy, and Lourey Join Nearly 500 Legislators Across U.S. to Defend Constitutionality of Affordable Care Act - (Posted: 2012-01-12 00:00:00)
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