Recently...
Congress is currently considering the Great Lakes Compact – an agreement to permanently protect the largest fresh surface waters in North America. Several of our affiliates in the Midwest – including Wisconsin Environment and Environment Illinois – helped secure state approval of this historic pact over the past two years. On August 1st, the U.S. Senate ratified the measure, and now it’s up to the House.
Meanwhile, states from Georgia to California are considering policy responses to drought. Will they choose efficiency and conservation, or yield to the temptation to drain more water from their rivers?
Brief Summary
Perhaps it seems self-evident, but the health of our lakes, rivers, and streams depends on keeping enough water flowing through them. Adequate water levels are vital for fish and fowl, boating and rafting – indeed, the entire ecology and economy of our waterways.
Unfortunately, our waters are now facing the twin threats of shrinking supply and rapidly expanding demand. And such problems are no longer the exclusive concern of the arid Southwest. Global warming and sprawl have brought stark water choices to the east – with drought in Georgia, North Carolina, and beyond. And even the vast Great Lakes are experiencing lower water levels.
The good news is that there are ample solutions to keep our rivers running and ensure enough water for our everyday needs. For starters, existing technologies and smarter practices can help us use water much more efficiently. We can prohibit massive withdrawals that threaten the health of our waters, and start insisting that development live within the limits of local, renewable water supplies
