Much-debated legislation that will block Lake Erie water diversion to other states is expected to pass Monday, U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Bainbridge, said.
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact will be released from suspension in the House of Representatives, LaTourette said.
Measures that come up under suspension are considered non-controversial and often are approved by voice vote, meaning individual votes are not recorded. The Senate has already approved the compact, and House approval is the last step before the bill goes to the president for his signature, he said.
“We’ve waited seven long years for this to happen and this is the final hurdle,” LaTourette said. “The Great Lakes are an invaluable asset and we need to ensure that they are protected by their rightful caregivers, the Great Lakes states.”
The compact has cleared many hurdles, including approval by eight state legislatures. Now it must be ratified by Congress for it to take effect as an interstate compact, LaTourette said.
All seemed lost in May, when House Democrats blocked a constitutional amendment on private property rights needed to ensure the agreement.
The measure will make Great Lakes resources exclusive to bordering states and provinces of Canada. Ohio and Wisconsin are the last two states to clear the measure.
Right now, with a permit, anyone can take up to 2 million gallons of water from the basin.
LaTourette said the Great Lakes provides 20 percent of the world’s fresh water and it is a commodity that many would like to get their hands on, as dry southern states and even other countries look to divert the water resources.
The bill is supported by the Ohio Environmental Council and the National Wildlife Federation. LaTourette and Sen. George Voinovich are lead sponsors of the identical House and Senate bills. LaTourette serves as co-chair of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition, which oversees the Great Lakes group.
Local News
Great Lakes measure to be voted on Monday
- Local News
-
-
Sports, academics to come together
SPIRE Institute will expand its educational base and accept international students into its sports performance programs through a partnership with the Andrews Osborne Academy, Ted Meekma, SPIRE management team member, announced Wednesday.
-
Grand Valley sixth grader wins Ashtabula County Spelling Bee
James Elliott, a sixth grader at Grand Valley Middle School, clinched his win of the 29th annual Ashtabula County Area V Spelling Bee by successfully spelling the words “physique” and “daffodil.”
-
Conneaut Chamber lauds top citizen, ‘Champions’
Nicholas Iarocci, Conneaut’s 2011 Citizen of the Year, needed plenty of gulps of water to complete his acceptance speech Tuesday night.
-
Conneaut’s unpaved roads will get priority status in 2012
Secondary roads in Conneaut will get the lion’s share of attention from the Public Works’ Department this year, said City Manager Tim Eggleston.
-
Felony charge filed in robbery
An Ashtabula woman who police said grabbed a woman’s purse inside a Conneaut supermarket late Monday afternoon faces a felony charge in Conneaut Municipal Court, according to reports.
-
Ashtabula County building projects readied for bids
Up to four improvement projects for county-owned buildings are being lined up for bids in the next month.
-
City of Ashtabula looking for new auditor
Six candidates have applied for city auditor, which City Council President J.P. Ducro IV says he hopes to fill by the end of March.
-
Red Cross holding breakfast for ‘Community Heroes’
The Red Cross Community Heroes Breakfast will honor 12 county residents March 3 at the Bernard Vacca Community Center.
-
New film showcases county’s scenic rivers
Ohio’s Scenic Rivers program, which protects stretches of 14 waterways — including three in Ashtabula County — is the focus of a new movie by a Dayton-based independent filmmaker.
-
Students can donate clothing to Goodwill
Many Ashtabula Area City Schools students will find themselves cleaning out their closets this week.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sports, academics to come together
