On the ground, the new Great Lakes water pact (still not ratified) is making life interesting for communities along the edge of the Basin.
An interstate compact that bans large-scale water diversions from the Great Lakes basin put South Bend on the horns of a dilemma, according to Gary Gilot, director of public works.
Based on the slope of the land in the Studebaker corridor, Gilot said, it made engineering sense to direct the corridor's storm waters to a system of ditches that flow into the Kankakee River.
But the Kankakee lies outside the Great Lakes basin, so any such flow would violate the diversion ban.
Another alternative -- again based on slope -- would have dumped the waters into the St. Joseph River, upstream from the East Race recreational area.
But that would have compromised compliance with federal regulations on fecal coliform levels in recreational waters.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060821/News01/608210363
Posted by Dave at August 24, 2006 08:39 AM