By SEN. PATTY BIRKHOLZ
December 14, 2007 04:00 am A recent guest column by Mike Delp noted that Senate Bill 212, which I sponsored, "would seriously impact the waters of Michigan." Several points in the column warrant rebuttal. First, the bill is part of a comprehensive legislative package, including Senate Bills 858-860, developed to provide stringent, yet reasonable, laws to further safeguard our waters. Senate Bill 212 will adopt the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council, appointed by Gov. Granholm and legislative leaders, developed a computer model water withdrawal assessment tool, and Senate Bill 860 will adopt this model for use in withdrawal calculations. The tool will allow users to determine if a proposed withdrawal will have an adverse impact on water levels. It specifically examines detailed impacts of withdrawals on characteristic fish populations -- the best biologically-based indicator we have to determine water health. Secondly, Mr. Delp's assumption that this legislation was developed based on politics and money is inaccurate and insulting. The Senate has done its homework on water issues for five years. We have passed bipartisan, bicameral, consensus-based measures that created the groundwater inventory, the water withdrawal conflict resolution program, the Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council and the state's water withdrawal law. We will continue to approve measures that will protect the Great Lakes. Michigan citizens must study issues concerning water protection thoroughly. Otherwise, they will lose sight of our main goal, which is to protect Michigan's natural resources. Mr. Delp's column focused on bottled water usage. If he had studied current usage in Michigan, he would have learned that bottled water is a small percentage of overall use and not a significant threat, any more than agribusinesses or other commonly accepted water users. The state's three major industries, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, have relied on our waters for years -- in greater quantities than bottled water producers. Water is used by farmers for crops, by manufacturers to make soda pop, baby food and pharmaceuticals and by state residents and tourists for recreation. Our main challenge is to protect our waters while keeping them available for reasonable use at the same time. To meet this challenge, we must use a science-based, biological indicator like the health of fish populations as the most objective water protection standard. The groundbreaking assessment tool is such a measure. It has been hailed as a national model for other states to follow. This legislative package provides greater protection for cold water rivers and streams than the compact itself requires. It also allows the public to provide input on water permitting decisions and lets local conservation groups help measure water flows to track the health of state waters. As chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, I will do my best to ensure that the Great Lakes are protected. It is imperative that the compact and assessment tool be adopted for the good of Michigan, organizations and businesses that rely on a healthy and accessible water resource. About the author: State Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, represents the 24th Senate District, which includes Allegan, Barry and Eaton counties. She is in her second term. She can be reached at (517) 373-3447. About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.
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