Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact

GREAT LAKES--ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN WATER RESOURCES COMPACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 25, 2008)

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S.J. Resolution 45, which expresses the consent and approval of Congress to an inter-state compact regarding water resources in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.

* The Great Lakes are among America's most valued natural resources, containing over 90 percent of our fresh surface water. Effective management of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin is crucial to protect against harmful diversion of water that causes environmental damage and depletion of the lakes.

* I do not believe this bill has undergone a thorough, rigorous vetting process to ensure that its provisions provide strong enough protections against privatization, commercialization, and exportation of Great Lakes water. While that this legislation does take important steps toward ensuring protection of the lakes, I have several unanswered concerns with the bill as it stands now.

* Any bill seeking to protect the Great Lakes from diversion efforts must have strong language protecting against the commercialization and diversion of Great Lakes water in the international trade system. I am deeply concerned that this bill defines Great Lakes water as a ``product,'' potentially subjecting it to international trade law obligations under NAFTA, GATT, or the WTO. Furthermore, by exempting diversions of water in containers smaller than 5.7 gallons, how does this bill protect Great Lakes water from privatization claims from bottled water companies and other large commercial entities? The International Joint Commission, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Trade Representative have failed to provide answers to these questions.

* I also believe strongly that any Great Lakes Compact must ensure full, active participation of the Tribes in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin in any decision-making process. Language in this legislation requires ``reasonable notice'' to Tribes for commentary and an obligation to ``inform'' the Tribes of meetings and hearings regarding diversion of water. The intention of this language is right, but it must be stronger to ensure Tribes have a strong voice in any decisions related to the Great Lakes Basin.

* The Great Lakes Compact is a critical piece of legislation, concerning one of America's most precious natural resources. We must hold it to the highest standards to ensure that the environmental and economic integrity of the lakes are protected in a manner that is inclusive of all stakeholders. I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation until these concerns have been resolved.

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