By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
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.
