WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), who on Monday asked his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join him in opposing ratification of the Great Lakes Compact until concerns over commercialization and privatization of Great Lakes water were addressed, issued the following statement on House passage of the compact:

“I could not in good conscience vote to ratify the Great Lakes Compact until concerns over the commercialization and privatization of Great Lakes water have been addressed.  There was no reason to rush this compact through Congress in 20 legislative days without a hearing while questions remain.

“The compact’s passage does not mean the end of my fight to strengthen and protect our nation’s most precious natural resource, the Great Lakes, from diversions.  I have fought for 16 years in Congress to protect the Great Lakes and while the original intent of the compact was good, the version ratified by the states – and now Congress – falls short of its intended goal.

“I will continue working to clarify that Great Lakes water is held in trust by the people of the Great Lakes Basin and that it is not for sale.”