Below is a representative sample of the coverage of yesterday's Great Lakes "summit" in Chicago, at which EPA Administrator Leavitt issued decoder rings to all participants.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/dec04/281045.asp
Since 1985, at least 5 major "pacts" have been signed to protect the Great Lakes. Little if anything has resulted from them besides meetings and reports.
Yesterday's meeting was likely more about the Bush Administration controlling a process that threatened to get out of control -- imagine, the Great Lakes states demanding the same kind of funding water projects in the South and West get -- than about protection. As Leavitt said, "this is not simply about money, it's about using resources better." And we all know the Bush Administration is very thrifty when it comes to the environment, at least.
The Great Lakes Congressional delegation and governors should forge ahead on their own even while participating in this sham process. The only way to protect the Great Lakes is to arouse citizens and demand action -- via binding statute, not "good-faith agreement." There is a deficit of good faith in Washington.
Posted by Dave at December 4, 2004 12:32 PM