Senators Van Woerkom, Birkholz, Hardiman, Garcia, Jelinek, Toy, Cassis, Stamas, Sanborn, Gilbert, Johnson, Sikkema, Brater, Hammerstrom, Goschka, Kuipers, Allen, Bishop, Olshove, Clarke, Clark-Coleman, Bernero and Leland offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6.

            A concurrent resolution to urge the International Joint Commission to maintain its vigilance in opposing diversion of Great Lakes water and to support the prompt resolution of all issues related to the finalization of Annex 2001.

            Whereas, Protection of the Great Lakes is a challenge of unsurpassed significance and scope to the people of Michigan and all of the states and provinces that comprise the region.  This monumental challenge includes working to safeguard the quality of the waters to protect these freshwater resources from threats of out of basin water diversion and to continue to enable our use and enjoyment of this water resource within the basin; and

            Whereas, The International Water Uses Review Task Force recently submitted to the International Joint Commission its report, entitled "Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes."  This project, part of a three-year review by the International Joint Commission, cites data to indicate that the issue of consumptive use problems "has been consistently and significantly overstated for the past three decades."  The report also says that long-distance, large-scale removals are, for the near and mid-term, "highly improbable."  The study encourages support for a more deliberative approach to finalizing the Annex 2001 agreement to establish protection of the waters of the Great Lakes from diversions; and

            Whereas, With the uncertainties of the future, including in the area of technology, and the magnitude of the value of the Great Lakes, it would be a mistake to abandon the ongoing efforts to prevent the bulk diversion of Great Lakes water outside of the basin.  Such policies should be made proactively, before a crisis is upon us; and

            Whereas, Michigan has established its interest on numerous occasions to affirm its opposition to the diversion of Great Lakes water from the basin.  Our state is well aware of the projections of water shortages for other regions.  We are also well aware of the role that the Great Lakes network plays in contributing to the strength of the American and Canadian economies and the vitality of the states and provinces along its shores.  This commitment must remain unshakeable; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we encourage the International Joint Commission to maintain its participation in developing feasible and defensible strategies and policies that protect the Great Lakes water from out-of-basin diversions and to continue to support the Annex 2001 process in a deeply considered and scientifically informed manner; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the International Joint Commission, the Great Lakes Commission, the congressional delegation from the Great Lakes states, the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes, the Council of Great Lakes Governors, and the legislative leadership from the Great Lakes states and provinces.