[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 131 (Friday, October 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO PROTECT OUR GREAT LAKES

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                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 1999

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation that will 
protect our Great Lakes and ensure an effective strategy for conserving 
our water resources.
  One hundred and sixty-six million people in 18 countries are 
suffering from water scarcity. Almost 270 million more in 11 additional 
countries are considered water stressed. By 2025, one fourth of the 
world will suffer from lack of water. These are a few of the reasons 
that experts are hypothesizing that water will soon change from a 
resource to a commodity.
  Given these disturbing statistics, it's becoming very clear that we 
need to develop a better strategy for water management. One problem 
that is facing environmentalists, scientists and policy makers is the 
lack of sufficient and reliable information on water availability and 
quality. Efforts to balance supply and demand, and plans for a 
sustainable future, are severely hampered by this lack of information. 
That is why this legislation is so necessary.
  The Great Lakes comprise \1/5\ of the Earth's fresh water resources. 
Over the past few years, there have been numerous proposals to withdraw 
bulk quantities of water from the Great Lakes Basin. The Great Lakes 
hold over 6 quadrillion gallons of water. However, before we begin mass 
exports of bulk water from this giant resource, we must be very clear 
on how this will impact the Great Lakes region. We cannot allow 
commercial exploitation of such a precious resource.
  Last year, the House passed a Resolution calling on the President and 
the other Body to work to prevent the sale or diversion of Great Lakes 
water in mass quantities. That resolution was an important first step. 
The legislation that I'm introducing today takes the necessary second 
step. This bill will impose a two year moratorium on exports of bulk 
fresh water. The moratorium will give the governors of the Great Lakes, 
who for the past fifteen years have effectively managed the Basin, the 
opportunity to effectively evaluate how and if bulk exports from the 
Great Lakes Basin should proceed.
  Prudent management of our natural resources means looking ahead and 
planning for the future. As we enter a new millennium, we need to be 
responsible stewards of our environment, to ensure that our children 
are not denied the resources that we today are able to enjoy. Our water 
resources must be carefully conserved, and this legislation will allow 
the Great Lakes governors to develop an effective strategy to ensure 
our water supply and ecosystem are protected. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in support of this legislation.

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