The State Legislature is currently debating legislation to implement the Great Lakes Water Compact and is expected to pass final legislation in January, 2008. While TU supports implementation of the Great Lakes Water Compact in order to prevent diversion of water to outside of the Great Lakes basin, the bills being debated in Lansing also include a host of provisions that will regulate water usage within Michigan. These provisions need to be carefully studied to determine their potential impact on our trout streams across the state. To better understand these issues and their potential impact, the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited is holding a special meeting on Saturday, December 15th, 2007 to review and discuss the proposals currently under consideration by the State House and Senate.
Please follow this unfolding issue closely as this may be the most critical legislation to impact our cold-water resources for the next several years. This legislation will determine how much ground water may be withdrawn from an area around a trout stream, and the impact the withdrawal will have on our resources.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Dave Smith
President
Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited
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