Waukesha is the first city to apply for a diversion of Great Lakes water since a ban on such practices was enacted in 2008.
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“I strongly support policies that protect and conserve our greatest natural resources, and this agreement will strengthen the Great Lakes and set high standards for the future”, Snyder said in a press release.
Governor Dayton also noted that the area that can be served by the diversion was significantly reduced from Waukesha’s initial proposal, and that almost all of the diverted water will be returned to Lake Michigan through the Root River. That city had needed this water due to its current aquifer being contaminated with radium. Several officials and observers involved in the long-running debate think the deal could discourage others from attempting a bid for access to water that the Great Lakes region zealously guards as its own.
Dan Injerd, the IL representative at Tuesday’s meeting, said the fact that Waukesha spent a decade and millions of dollars on its bid would be a strong deterrent, showing that accessing Great Lakes water is “an extraordinarily hard challenge”.
In fact Dingell and Miller charge that the decision to divert water to Waukesha undermines the entire Compact agreement. The vote was unanimous at the meeting of the Great Lakes-St.
“In voting for the project, Governor Dayton explained his decision saying afterwards he was swayed by changes made to the previous plan as well as by state experts who, “.have assured me that approving the Diversion Project will provide environmental benefits to the region, and have virtually no impact on our treasured Great Lakes. They included reducing the volume it would withdraw daily from 10.1 million gallons to 8.2 million gallons and shrinking its water service area.
The coalition, however, expressed continued concern that the council “did not fully resolve other flaws in Waukesha’s proposal to ensure that this precedent-setting application meets all of the rigorous requirements laid out in the Great Lakes Compact”. According to an agreement signed by the eight states, only localities within the Great Lakes basin can draw water from the lakes.
For a quick explanation on the Waukesha vote, watch this short video.
Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly, in a press statement, thanked the Great Lakes governors and their representatives.
Waukesha needs a new drinking source because its wells are increasingly depleted and concentrated with cancer-causing radium. The intensive scrutiny of our application by the Great Lakes states, along with the provinces, shows their dedication to collectively managing and protecting the Great Lakes, ” Reilly wrote. The group includes eight states and two Canadian provinces.
Groups like the National Wildlife Federation and Alliance for the Great Lakes, originally critical of Waukesha’s plan, said they were encouraged by the additional conditions placed on the application.
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But after 13 years, it’s time for Waukesha to move forward and obtain the healthy water supply its citizens deserve.
