From: Dave Dempsey [davedem@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 11:50 AM
To: Jim Olson; Brian Beauchamp; tsweir@centurytel.net; cyndiroper@gmail.com; rhondahuff@sbcglobal.net; rhood@wmeac.org; Greg Reisig; lsommerville@cfsmail.org; lsommer@pentel.net; eolson@olsonretail.com; mlynn@utopianempire.com; chelsbay@gmail.com
Cc: Michael H. Dettmer; Bill Rastetter
Subject: Draft Release World Water Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT:  (Names, phone #s, e-mail)
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2010

SAFEGUARD MICHIGAN PROPERTY OWNERS' WATER USE, DISCOURAGE GREAT LAKES EXPORTS:
PROPOSED STATE LAW VITAL TO MICHIGAN'S ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE

Legislation proposed by a member of the Michigan House of Representatives to assure state protection of the public interest in water would also defend the reasonable use of water by Michigan property owners, a coalition of conservationists and environmentalists said today on World Water Day.  As water scarcity balloons as a global issue and special interests seek to capture and export Great Lakes water with no benefit to Michigan, the proposed law needs immediate passage, they said.

Introduced by State Rep. Dan Scripps, House Bill 5319 would improve on protections already provided by the 2008 Great Lakes Compact approved by Congress. It would clarify existing law to make it clear that all waters feeding the Great Lakes, including groundwater, are within the scope of public protection.  This would assure responsible use of water and defend existing and new businesses that create jobs in and for Michigan citizens, while discouraging water grabs for export and sale elsewhere.

"Who can disagree with protecting Michigan private property owners' reasonable use of water while making it tougher for out-of-state special interests to hijack and export Michigan water," said ______.  "I'm pretty confident a poll of Michigan citizens would show an overwhelming majority support just that."

"The Great Lakes Compact makes strongly limits the diversion and export of water from the Great Lakes in pipes, canals and aqueducts and as raw water in vessels or vehicles," said ______.  "This bill would close a gap that permits the capturing and export of water in containers and as a product. That's important because global special interests want to exploit water scarcity to make windfall profits at the expense of the people of Michigan and the Great Lakes."

The Great Lakes are a natural target for the growing water exploitation industry.  With almost one-fifth of the world's surface freshwater, they could provide a convenient source of product for the industry -- or, if the Scripps legislation is passed, sustainable Michigan-based jobs in water-related industries and the continued health of the people, fish, wildlife and ecosystems that depend on stable natural flows of Great Lakes water.

INFORMATION ON GLOBAL WATER SCARCITY

FLOW FOR WATER GL WEB SITE, ETC.



Superior Shores:  A Novel of Conservation
By Dave Dempsey

On the shores of the world's largest lake, a slick Chicago developer and a home-grown, small-town Michigan lake advocate collide over his proposed Superior Shores resort. She thinks he's ruining nature; he thinks he's showcasing it. Their differences generate a controversy that reverberates across the lake -- and sparks of another kind.

Order your copy here or through Amazon.com
https://www.createspace.com/3424125


From: Brian Beauchamp [mailto:brian@mlui.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 3:08 PM
To: Jim Olson
Subject: Re: Press Conference/Action Letters World Water Day

Jim,
I just got off the phone with Scripps office--they called me--asking if they can do the press conference at 9:30 AM on Monday.  I said that would not be a problem for us, but wanted to connect with you to make sure.
--Brian

On Mar 16, 2010, at 10:21 AM, Jim Olson wrote:

All, I sent this email twice yesterday, and again this morning, each time it was kicked back y system administrator.

I'm trying again.  Please reply if you receive this!!  And advise what you can do to help.  Thank you.
 
Jim

Here's message embedded:
 
Thanks,  Dave, Cyndi, Rachel, Terry, Rhonda, Greg, all of you who have kept pushing the need to support public trust bill, now!.
 
This is the plan.  As acting chair, I'm asking each of you to comment, sign up for one of the tasks, and let's get this going, today.
 
I talked with Dan Scripps office, and Dan will advise me today what time he can make a press conference in TC, Mon. Mar. 22d, world water day. he and House and Sen dems, and the public, need our help.  The only voice out there in the vaccuum this Winter are the well drillers and Chamber, Mackinac Center.
 
We need a place, time, for the press conference, likely here in TC at the open space on bay (If bad weather, then Horizons' books, need to confirm), gather supporters, and then simultaneously or the day before ( or this Friday) issue our press release.  Let's try to get 50 to 60 people there on World Water Day, Mon. A.M. forget tax on tea and tea parties, we're concerned about stopping the sale of water out of the Great Lakes, the "water party."
 
On Thursday, Mar. 18, a notice action alert of press conference, etc. goes out, and action alert to write no flood the legislature with letters and emals on March 22nd W Water Day, and flood newspapers with letters to the editor.

This has got to  happen!!  Here's what I suggest for assignments:
 
Dave work on press release and circulate it to us. It should message what we've developed to date with Hugh and comments following, and direct as  you say a reframing to preventing the private takeover of public water, our water, from a public takeover of groundwater. The only time tested way to do this is the Scripps public trust bill HB 5319.  I'll get you details on place etc.
 
Cyndi, make contacts in Lansing, to coordinate this with House leadership, adn Committee, Rep Warren,
 
Terry, Rhonda, MCWC, Linda Sommerville, Greg, Brian, others, help coordinate rally at open space.  I'd say we can do it near the marina hospitality building right on water. 
 
Jon Keesecker, kick in action alter for FWWatch letters/emails to Michigan legislators, leadership, calling for enactment of HB 5319 public trust.

Brian and Rachel wrap up letters to editors and legislators, and attach them to action alert package.
 
Brian, through Patty, and her connections with Farmers, you'll get someone to speak for farmers at press conference, and some farmers to write letters to legislators, saying "we need water to farm as we always have, not sold out from underneath the roots of our orchards and crops." "The only way to protect farmers private use of gruondwater is to make sure water is in public trust by passing HB 5319.  We dont' want large special interests claiming private ownersihp of our groundwater selling it out of the Great Lakes basin."

Jim (me)  - call Scripps office, set up place for event, confirm it.
            - circulate email to our coalition ,supporters, and press release to Record Eagle and WTCM to announce the rally for Public Trust Bill 5319, preserving "Our     Waters" from sale, export, and abuse. 
            - draft cover letter/email for action alert with  Brian and Rachel.
 
Rachel or Terry write an op ed for G R Press.

Jim or Dave write op ed for Det News and Freep, Cyndi to State Journal.
 
Brian to TC R Eagle.

Someone for Birmingham Oakland County paper, someone for Bay City paper.
 
We can do this, let the momentum build, and let's then meet with House leadership (Cyndi to arrange) and get this up for hearing in House, and vote, and onto the Senate.
 
I realize we identified problems with the timing etc. at Public Trust Summit, and long range probability.  But, we never said we shouldn't do this as a tactic short term, and  who knows, with election year, we might find out the public wants "water friendly" legislators, not ducks-in-tow for the  Chamber of Commerce.
 
Please excuse the rough outline, but time is of the essence.

Thanks,

Jim
Chair, Flow for Water

Brian Beauchamp
Michigan Land Use Institute
148 E. Front St., Ste. 301
Traverse City, MI 49684

231-941-6584  Ext. 19







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