NEWs RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN
BART STUPAK
1ST CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

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Stupak delivers keynote address at 9th annual Great Lakes Water Conference

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) delivered the keynote address at the 9th Annual Great Lakes Water Conference at the University of Toledo College of Law in Toledo, Ohio.

Stupak’s speech highlighted the role of the federal government in protecting the Great Lakes and the importance of ensuring the lakes remain a public resource, not subject to commercial exploitation.

“The Great Lakes are essential to our way of life,” Stupak said. “More than 45 million people depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water, jobs, transportation and energy production. Establishing policies that protect and preserve the quality and quantity of the Great Lakes has been one of my top priorities throughout my 17 years in Congress.”

In his speech, Stupak addressed his concerns with the Great Lakes Water Compact approved by Congress last year.

Stupak argued defining water as a “product” has put public ownership of the Great Lakes into question and weakened legal standings in the face of possible claims to our water under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and World Trade Organization (WTO) as well as other trade agreements.

In June, Stupak introduced House Resolution 551 to strengthen the Compact by making clear congressional intent and explicitly stating the Great Lakes are held in public trust and not subject to commercial sale or diversion of Great Lakes water.

“The Great Lakes hold the key to our economic revival as a region,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). “I agree with Congressman Stupak about the importance of safeguarding our precious resource.”

Kaptur, whose Congressional District includes Toledo, also provided brief remarks at the conference.

Stupak also called on Congress to address the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act, which helps to regulate the quality of Great Lakes water.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards in place for 30 years were eliminated following two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

The confusion created by the court cases has resulted in 16,730 permits regulating pollution being called into question.

In his speech, Stupak noted that the Great Lakes cannot be taken for granted and highlighted the importance of federal officials working in coordination with state legislatures and governors of the Great Lakes basin to develop forward-thinking policies that will protect our lakes today and for generations to come.

“The Great Lakes are a true national treasure and steps can and should be taken to protect our most valuable resource,” Stupak said. “The Great Lakes and our navigable waterways play a critical role in the economic well-being of Northern Michigan and the entire state. I will continue to ensure water issues receive the attention they deserve here in Congress.”

Stupak represents Michigan’s First Congressional District, which has 1,613 miles of shoreline, more than any other congressional district in the continental United States.

It is also the only congressional district in the nation to border three of the five Great Lakes.

He also serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Water Caucus, which works to promote a dialogue about water issues and provide timely, scientific information about water resources and water use, and serves as co-chairman of the Democratic Working Group on water issues.

During his 17 years in Congress, Stupak has written and supported significant legislation to improve and protect Great Lakes waters, including legislation to:

- Ban oil and gas drilling in and under the Great Lakes

- Reverse damage caused by invasive species

- Prevent partially treated human waste from bring dumped into the Great Lakes

- Stop the proposed diversion of Great Lakes water to China

- Eradicate cormorant populations,

The Great Lakes Water Conference addresses legal and policy issues important to the Great Lakes region, provides continuing legal education and attracts attendees that include representatives from government, non-governmental organizations, business, academia and law.

Information about past Great Lakes Water Conferences can be seen here.

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