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WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) testified today before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment on the need to improve the water quality of the Great Lakes. Stupak, who has championed the Great Lakes since coming to Congress 15 years ago, outlined many of the challenges facing the lakes.
“The importance of the Great Lakes cannot be overestimated,” Stupak said. “The lakes are a vital resource not just for northern Michigan, but for all of the 45 million people throughout the United States and Canada who depend on them for drinking water, fishing, recreation, agriculture, industry and shipping.”
In discussing past successes, Stupak noted efforts to prevent the dumping of human sewage into the lakes. He also spoke of successful efforts to block energy drilling under the lakes and to prevent water diversion to China.
“The wars of the 21st century will be over water,” Stupak said. “Every 20 years the demand for water is doubling and by 2025 the World Bank predicts more than 3 billion people will suffer from water shortages. Our Great Lakes represent 20 percent of the world’s freshwater and we need to make the investment today to protect this valuable resource.”
In his testimony, Stupak pointed to the recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration as a blueprint for restoring the Great Lakes. H.R. 1350, the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act, is a bipartisan bill in Congress which Stupak cosponsored that would provide the resources necessary to implement the plan.
“Elected officials, community stakeholders and private individuals have already identified many of the issues that need to be addressed,” Stupak said. “Upgrading waste-water treatment facilities, preventing nutrient runoff and stopping all water diversion from the lakes are just a few of the steps we can and should be taking to protect northern Michigan’s most valuable resource.”
Michigan’s First Congressional District has more shoreline – 1,613 miles – than any other congressional district in the continental United States. The district borders three of the five Great Lakes. |
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![[News From Congressman Bart Stupak]](stupakpr.gif)
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