Please give to The Capital Times Kids Fund.

Ed Garvey: It's too early to cheer over Great Lakes pact

Ed Garvey  —  6/03/2008 8:40 am

Everyone in the Capitol, on both sides of the aisle, is bragging about the passage of the Great Lakes Compact. Gov. Jim Doyle signed the legislation, enviros cheered, the good wine was opened. Smiles and back slaps all around.

Should we get out the party hats and whistles? Let's think about it.

You know why we value the fresh water in the Great Lakes and most Badgers dream of the day when Lakes Michigan and Superior will act as magnets bringing economic development to our state from thirsty states.

The eight states and two Canadian provinces bordering the Great Lakes developed a plan to unify in order to protect the lakes from thirsty people in California, New Mexico, Nevada, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Iowa -- you get the picture. The compact must be ratified by all eight states bordering the lakes, the two Canadian provinces and -- oh yeah, almost forgot -- Congress.

Our legislators negotiated with one another in secret sessions. That is unacceptable. If we are to support and even lobby for the amended compact, it would be nice to know why it took so long, not to mention the significance of the compromises needed to get the legislators to vote in favor.

Why is this so important? Georgia and Florida are having a battle over water. Some predict Georgia will run out of water soon. Imagine what will happen when people in the Peach state turn on their faucets and nothing comes out. Think $4 gasoline caused an uproar? Just think about the reaction if there is no water. Will Georgians say, "Oh well -- we had it for a while. Let's all move to Wisconsin"? In a pig's eye. Their leaders will say: "Get the water and bring it here! Now!"

A 200-page report, "The Effects of Climate Change," was released last week. Believe it or not, the report raises serious questions about global warming and this is from the government of old head-in-the-sand G.W. Bush. Here are a few salient points: Western states will face substantial challenges because of growing demand for water and -- grab your seat -- big projected drops in supplies. The West will also see large shifts in when water is available. This says, loudly, look out -- they will be coming to get "our" water.

Water is often compared to oil and the Great Lakes states are compared to OPEC. But wait a minute. OPEC sells to "other" countries, but the battle for the Great Lakes will take place within our country and no one owns the water. If you don't own it, how can you sell it? And what do we do if Sheboygan puts a pipe in Lake Michigan and pumps water to Arizona? Do we call out the National Guard if Georgia puts a straw in Lake Superior?

If eight states border the Great Lakes, my math says 42 do not. So what are the odds Congress will ratify a compact that would deny a parched Phoenix, Georgia, or Florida water that sits and waits while people pay more for water than gasoline?

Ah, details, details. The compact passed. Hooray! But think about it. If legislators in a state bordering two of the Great Lakes are forced to meet in secret session to hammer out a compromise, imagine the congressional delegation saying to the other 42 states, "C'mon. That water is ours. Hands off!"

Time to put away the party hats. Let's talk seriously. If Georgia runs out of water, we are all going to suffer, compact or no compact. Could we talk about preservation of this precious resource in all 50 states? I think we had better get started.

Ed Garvey is a Madison lawyer, political activist and the editor of the fightingbob.com Web site.

Ed Garvey  —  6/03/2008 8:40 am