The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

Re: First & Only Public Hearing On Great Lakes Water Diversion
(Multiple ways to have your comments heard on Great Lakes Water Diversions)

Thank you, Christine!

It would appear that they are making every effort and still the word is not getting out as widely as it should. What's strange about it is that I follow the environmental news from several sites around the web and somehow missed this until I heard NPR broadcasting about it. Possibly I just missed it as there are so many sources of news these days.

At any rate, I'll let my friends and readers know.

Thank you again,

Dan


GLIN Webmaster wrote:

Dan,

I forwarded your comment to the Council of Great Lakes Governors...to make them aware of your concerns...and here's the reply.

----- Original Message -----

From: David Naftzger
To: 'GLIN Webmaster'
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 11:37 AM
Subject: RE: First & Only Public Hearing On Great Lakes Water Diversion

Christine-Thank you for sharing this with us.

We have been aggressive in communicating with the public about the public meetings and other outreach that is taking place around the region during the 90 day public comment period.

Despite these efforts, we understand that some people may be getting some mis-information along the lines of the e-mail you received. If you are contacted in the future with any similar concerns, please let people know that in addition to the two regional meetings being hosted by the Council of Great Lakes Governors, the Great Lakes States and Provinces are hosting approximately 30 other events to solicit public comment around the Basin.

A full schedule can be found at:
http://www.cglg.org/1projects/water/Annex2001Implementing.asp. In addition to these meetings, comments are being solicited on the Council’s website, via e-mail and by standard mail. We look forward to hearing from everyone with an interest in protecting the Great Lakes.

Again, thanks for letting us know about this issue.

David Naftzger
Executive Director
Council of Great Lakes Governors
35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1850
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: 312-407-0177
Fax: 312-407-0038
E-mail: dnaftzger@cglg.org


From the GLIN Webmaster:


Dan,

That may be the only opportunity in the Chicago area but there have been dozens of hearings held over the last eight weeks throughout all eight Great Lakes states and Ontario.

See http://www.speakongreatlakes.org/hearings.htm and the links below for further information.

You can also send in comments online http://www.cglg.org/comments/index.asp, or via mail (send to Annex2001@cglg.org). The public comment period extends until mid-October. There is a 90-day comment period, which began on July 19.

Public input sought on protecting Great Lakes basin waters from bulk water exports, diversions

http://www.speakongreatlakes.org/

This web compendium -- provided by concerned Great Lakes basin environmental protection groups -- includes dates of upcoming public comment opportunities and all state/provincial documentation on Annex 2001.

Draft Implementing Agreements and related background from the Council of Great Lakes Governors: http://www.cglg.org/1projects/water/Annex2001Implementing.asp

I hope this is helpful.

Sincerely,

Christine Manninen
GLIN Webmaster:
www.great-lakes.net


My original comments to GLIN below:

"I was listening to Chicago Public radio on 91.5 FM WBEZ Chicago this morning on the way home from work. They were reporting that the first and only public hearing on a proposed treaty to ban export of great lakes water to commercial bottling operations world-wide or to arid nations was scheduled for today at Chicago's Navy Pier with the Great Lakes Governor's Council and their Canadian counterparts attending. They were imploring people to show up in support of this measure as it is the public's only chance to show the council of governors the depth of public support for it, but I am afraid very few people know about this. I do not know the time or other details - it may be too little reporting too late."

Dan Stafford