Water Bills Draw Flak from Northern Michigan Tribes

TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan — The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians says bills pending in the Legislature to regulate high-volume water withdrawals would violate its rights by reducing fish populations in some rivers and streams.

The bills would regulate withdrawals of more than 200,000 gallons per day from rivers and streams — or from underground aquifers — for commercial uses such as farming and manufacturing.

Lawmakers are considering them along with a related proposal to ratify an interstate compact designed to prevent Great Lakes water from being shipped or piped to other regions.

Source: AP