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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-06-29, Page 5Wednesday, June 29, 2016 • Huron Expositor 5 opinion www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com Water use precedent puts lakes at risk Don't be surprised if Waukesha is soon joined by other American cities -- and perhaps states -- lin- ing up for Great Lakes water. On Tuesday, the Wis- consin city received approval to draw water from Lake Michigan, despite an eight-year agreement among several states that no community outside of the Great Lakes watershed be permitted to draw water from any of those lakes. Waukesha, which sits within the Mississippi River watershed, has been drawing drinking water from an aquifer now dirt- ied by radium. The city has proposed piping water from Lake Michi- gan, and then returning treated wastewater to the lake. It would draw 31 mil- lion litres daily. The Waukesha proposal always has been viewed with alarm by members of the Great Lakes Com- pact, whose membership shares the Great Lakes. The group has argued -- quite correctly -- that allowing Waukesha to draw water from any of the lakes would be a dan- gerous precedent, to be inevitably followed by similar requests. Those requests will come. How many other cities in the American Midwest, outside of the Great Lakes watershed, have a groundwater pollution problem that could be solved by turning north- ward to Superior, Michigan or Erie? Wauke- sha can't be the only one. One needs only to look to the American South- west to see the chronic water problem that exists in much of the United States. A dozen or so states have experienced severe drought -- not unexpected within cli- mates that are historically arid -- and are working frantically to find solutions. Historically, some states, like California, have never had qualms about securing fresh water from outside their borders. Their water programs have never been sustaina- ble. It's not inconceivable they might look to the Great Lakes as the ulti- mate source of water. That's now going to be a problem. On Tuesday, the eight members of the Great Lakes Compact, all of them governors, were unanimous in their approval of the Waukesha proposal. There was no Canadian representation, although Here's three Brexit concerns for Canada Carleton University political scientist Elliot Tepper likes to say that it all began "with a lump of coal" -- a reference to the Euro- pean Coal and Steel Community that brought a handful of countries, including Britain, into partnership in 1951. Now, he says, "British voters have given the EU a lump of coal." Perhaps it is not quite that grim, but there is no denying the United King- dom has shocked much of the world by voting to leave the European Union and -- once the protracted and compli- cated negotiations are complete -- strike out on its own. It's been alone before. While the EU grew from efforts to bring European nations under a common roof in the last century to stave off future conti- nent -destroying wars, Britain had historically given as good as it got in bloody conflicts with its neighbours. Those who now look toward a more independent future believe it can flourish just fine. The plunging pound, the suddenly fresh threat of Scottish independence, the now - discredited prime minis- ter -- none of this fazes those who lived through the Blitz. Perhaps they are right. For the rest of us, how- ever, there are implications. In Canada, three merit immediate attention. First, many Canadian businesses -- from banks to Bombardier -- run operations in Britain, and not just because they like warm beer; the United Kingdom was chosen as a practical gateway to con- tinental commerce. There is labour force mobility and a manufacturing supply chain. Withdrawal from the EU leaves these businesses scrambling to figure out their next moves. Second, the Brexit com- plicates efforts to ensurethe Comprehen- sive Economic and Trade Agreement is ratified in the EU. It's not that Europe will suddenly be less reluctant to embrace free trade with Canada; it's that, suddenly, this topples to the bottom of the to-do list for Euro- pean governments grap- pling with the loss of a key member. Third, while many Brit- ons who backed the "Leave" campaign did so thoughtfully -- uncon- vinced, for instance, of the need for so much EU regulation -- the Brexit undeniably appealed to scarier elements too. It's anti-establishment, anti - immigrant flavour has galvanized Europe's far right. Will it also provide a shot in the arm to equally antediluvian politicians, such as Car wash fundraiser helps the local grade school Shaun Gregory From May 15 to June 16, the car wash at Shell in Seaforth raised $501, which will go towards the Seaforth Public School. The students in the front row, from the left, Mitchell Masse, Taylor Masse, Oliver Campbell, Erica and Kate Rastofer, Lauryn Maloney and Hunter Campbell. Along with Seaforth public staff and retail coordinator for Edward Fuels, Steve Gower. Donald Trump, on this side of the pond? If so, what would that mean for us? Canadians know the downside to referen- dums, which partially there should have been, but that's hindsight. The Canadian and Ontario governments must now get involved. It shouldn't be left to eight state gover- nors to decide a matter that has the potential to deeply impact Canadians who draw their water from any of the Great Lakes. Indeed, the Waukesha application was the first of its kind, and the so- called Great Lakes Com- pact was completely ignored. -- Peter Epp explains why this one has resonated so profoundly here. As we await the fall- out, let's wish the British well navigating the lumps of coal now strewn on the path ahead. HAVE AN OPINION? The Huron Expositor welcomes letters to the editor. They must be signed and accompanied by a phone number for information clarification. It is important to note, letters will not be printed without the author's name attached. All letters are subject to editing due to possible space restriction. Letters can be dropped off at the office, mailed or emailed: The Huron Expositor 8 Main St. P.O. Box 69 Seaforth, ON NOK 1WO Shaun.Gregory@sunmedia.ca www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com