WKSU News: Lake Erie, how much draw is too much?

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Lake Erie, how much draw is too much? Competing bills consider caps on business' use of Lake Erie water before state government gets involved by WKSU's M.L. SCHULTZE and VALERIE BROWN	Web Editor M.L. Schultze

Part of the Great Lakes compact requires each state to come up with usage limits

Courtesy of flickr

Ohio lawmakers are taking their first look at competing bills to govern how much water regional businesses can take from Lake Erie and under what conditions.

Republican Rep. Lynn Wachtmann’s bill allows businesses to take as much as 5 million gallons per day from Lake Erie without government oversight. Wachtmann says his legislation encourages industries dependent on water.

Wachtmann on business needs

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But environmentalists are concerned that the limits, which are higher than any other Great Lakes state, are too high. Democratic Rep. Dennis Murray of Sandusky says the Great Lakes compact – set up to preserve water in the region – requires Ohio to do more.

Murray on Great Lakes compact

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Murray’s own bill would develop a scientific tool to determine if a business’s draw on water would harm any part of the Lake Erie basin.

Currently, Ohio has no caps, but businesses that withdraw more than 2 million gallons per day must register with the state.

Murray’s own bill would develop a scientific tool to determine if a business’s draw on water would harm any part of the Lake Erie basin.

Currently, Ohio has no caps, but businesses that withdraw more than 2 million gallons per day must register with the state.

MORE ON THE DEBATE OVER THE USE OF LAKE ERIE WATER

More depth on the battle over Lake Erie water

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Listener Comments:

I have contacted my members of parliment and my local media and the federal department of enviorment this is a breach of the treaty and we will not be standing on the sideline while ohio steals our shared resorse

Posted by: Colin Nutt on July 14, 2011 10:07AM

When Ohio citizens and land owners lose our hold on Ohio's fresh water and allow foolish politicians to give away our greatest resource we have truly lost the ship. We cannot afford to lose control of Lake Erie to any one political or capitalist power. We in Northern Ohio might as well kiss our future goodbye, but we shouldn't give up. Lake Erie has supported our citizens and cities for two hundred years and we shouldn't lose it now. We should all contact our representatives and make our demands clear. Protect our children's future, leave Lake Erie alone!

Posted by: Elmer (McFarlane Corners) on June 14, 2011 10:06AM

Second story I've seen which does not address how much water is returned after being drawn from lake. Is it the gross, or net, draw which is regulated? Suggest we get informed about that.

Cheers,
Bill

Posted by: Bill Dimond (Lansing, MI) on June 14, 2011 3:06AM

So all the time and fuss over the Great Lakes compact that was signed by the states and Canada bordering the Great Lakes was meaningless?

Posted by: Phil, Ohio (Lorain) on June 14, 2011 2:06AM

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