State dilatory on water rules

Another article on Michigans lack of leadership regarding water diversion. This one is from the Saginaw News - State dilatory on water rules:

Michigan is the last Great-Lakes-state vessel foundering toward rules to regulate water withdrawals. That the rules are needed isn't in dispute. The lakes hold 90 percent of the nation's freshwater; parched and growing Southern and Western states know it.

Sikkema [Michigan Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema] and Granholm have put aside partisanship on the budget and other issues to accomplish what is in the best interest of the state. Both are capable of compromise. The senate majority leader's expertise on Great Lakes issues has led to everything from rules to protect against invasive species and a ban on directional drilling to easing beach grooming activities. His list of accomplishments on Great Lakes issues is impressive -- but lacks one important one. Michigan has been dilatory in its efforts to protect the Great Lakes from large scale withdrawals. It isn't an issue that just surfaced.

Michigan must join the other states and Canada in adopting rules that protect Great Lakes water from withdrawals. Sikkema knows it, Granholm knows it, and the residents of the state know it. If Granholm's Water Legacy Act has problems, Sikkema should work to address them -- and get Michigan on board with other Great Lakes states this year.