A water proposal from out West; Hopeful's interest in Great Lakes renews call for compact

The idea of piping Great Lakes water to faraway places seems to many like a pie-in-the-sky plan, but apparently not to Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson.

In a sign of how fragile the Great Lakes could one day become as the nation's population - and political clout - drifts west, the New Mexico governor told the Las Vegas Sun this week that he is interested in looking east to solve his region's water shortages.

"I believe that Western states and Eastern states have not been talking to each other when it comes to proper use of our water resources," Richardson told the Las Vegas Sun for a story published Thursday. "I want a national water policy. We need a dialogue between states to deal with issues like water conservation, water reuse technology, water delivery and water production. States like Wisconsin are awash in water."

The message from Richardson, a long shot for the nomination, might play well in the Southwest, but he likely just lost a boatload of votes in the Midwest, where Lake Superior has hit a record low for this time of year, and Lakes Michigan and Huron are flirting with their own record lows.

Meanwhile, a compact among the eight Great Lakes states to block large-scale diversions remains stalled in some state legislatures, including Wisconsin's. A big reason for the snag is that some are worried its provisions are too restrictive and could throttle development within the Great Lakes.

Compact advocates are hopeful Richardson's pitch will spur lawmakers into action.

"It's another scary reminder that we need to get going and pass a compact - and a strong compact - so this kind of thing is off the table," said state Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay).

As the rules work now, any diversion of Great Lakes water outside the Great Lakes basin requires approval from all eight Great Lakes governors. The problem is that the current system is considered too arbitrary to hold up in court if a jilted community, state or region sues.

"We have protections in place, but it's very fragile," said state Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee). "Our Great Lakes deserve something much more comprehensive."

 Richardson represents a region that is growing in political strength, but he is likely about to learn that the Great Lakes states aren't ready to roll over when outsiders come tapping at the door for water; Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm once likened her ferocious devotion to the lakes to that of a mother bear protecting her cubs.

"Other parts of the country think we have water to spare in the Great Lakes, and they don't appreciate how important the health of the lakes are to the region," said Noah Hall, a law professor at Wayne State University in Michigan and one of the architects of the compact. "They just see the Great Lakes as a big supply of water to meet the growing demand of thirsty dry states."

Said Cowles: "I'm glad (Richardson) has raised the issue, because I hope the people of Wisconsin send a big signal to this guy."

And the best way to do that, Cowles said, is for the Wisconsin Legislature to pass the compact.

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