November 08, 2007
November 8, 2007
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined her fellow Great Lakes governors in calling on the current presidential candidates to support a variety of regional and state efforts designed to protect and preserve the Great Lakes. The message was delivered through a letter sent to each candidate that asked them to outline the plans for Great Lakes restoration and protection that their administration would implement if they are elected.
"The Great Lakes are so much a part of who we are as a people and as a state. They define our borders and help power our economy," Granholm said. "It is imperative that our next president understand the importance of protecting, preserving, and restoring this most precious of natural resources."
Specifically, the candidates were asked for their support of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact that would ban the diversion of Great Lakes water. Granholm noted that once Michigan and the other Great Lakes states ratify the compact in the coming months, Congress must provide its consent to turn this set of protections for our waters into state and federal law. Support of the president will be critical in this effort.
The governors also called on the candidates to support restoration efforts underway throughout the Great Lakes by endorsing and supporting the funding necessary to implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's Restoration and Protection Strategy that was developed in 2005. The governors' letter notes that substantial progress towards these efforts will be made only if the next administration joins with the states in ensuring that the damage being done to the environment, as well as the regional and national economy, is reversed.
"The Great Lakes need an advocate in the Oval Office who will stand beside us as we take the necessary actions to keep our waters clean and safe," Granholm added. "I am joining with my fellow Great Lakes governors today in asking each of the presidential candidates to commit to this cause that is not only critical to the success of Michigan, but to our entire country."
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