Interesting juxtaposition of news about Nestle's various water grabs...
In Michigan, enviro groups ask the Governor to intervene --
ENVIROS, TRIBES ASK GRANHOLM TO STOP EVART WATER PROJECT
Several Michigan tribes and environmental groups have sent letters to Governor Jennifer Granholm urging her to take action against the city of Evart's plans to sell municipal water to the Nestle Corporation for its Ice Mountain bottled water. The governor has not promised action, but a spokesperson for the Governor Jennifer Granholm said the pleas are being considered.
Four environmental groups, including the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan and Clean Water Action, invoked a 2001 opinion by then Attorney General Granholm that said Nestle's original water bottling plan in Mecosta County was subject to the federal Water Resources Development Act.
The tribes said the Nestle deal would violate a 2004 Tribal State Accord to "protect the shared water resources of this state."
Both groups have said Ms. Granholm has the right and responsibility to stop the Nestle deal from going forward, and both are calling for better state legislation to deal with future water withdrawal issues.
The environmental groups wrote in their letter, "Allowing the Evart project to proceed without regional review, then, is plainly unlawful. For the same or similar reasons, the diversion of water for sale in bottles or any other sized container or conduit violates Michigan's own Great Lakes Preservation Act."
"This case highlights the need for state water use management laws," said Kate Madigan with the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan.
The contract with Evart is expected to be enacted by the end of March.
In California, the courts at least temporarily block a Nestle deal.
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/o/51//03-24-2005/f9c000165b55e31c.html
The fate of our waters is being decided case by case. The fundamental issue: do we own all water in streams, lake and the ground, or can corporations own it? We simply cannot allow the privatization of the public's water in any way, shape or form.
Posted by Dave at March 25, 2005 02:00 PM