Whose Water?
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Social Studies, Language Arts, Students research, discuss and EnvironmentalMI Science, Hydrology
debate views on Great Lakes water ijWdZWhZiWI MI withdrawals and exportation by Science: 13.B.3d, 13.B.3e, IL 13.B.3f WI taking different roles in the issue. Social Studies: 17.B.3a, 17.C.2c Language Arts: 4.A.3a, 4.B.1b, INIL 5.C.1a, 5.C.1b
Science: K.1.1, 6.2.8, 8.1.7, IN 8.3.6MI MI
SocialWI Studies:WI 6.3.13, 6.3.16 Language Arts: 6.2.8, 6.5.5, 140 minutes 6.7.13, 7.5.4,ILMI 7.5.5,ILMI 7.7.11, 8.5.4, 6-8 8.5.7, 8.7.13 WI WI IN IN
ILScience:IL SIC.II.1.E.4, SCI. eX`[Yj_l[i II.1.MS.1, SCI.II.1.MS.5,
MI INSCI.III.5.MS.6IN • Research varying views on the export of Great Lakes water. Social Studies: SOC. • Defend one view on the export of Great Lakes water. II.2.MS.5, SOC.VI.2.LE.1, SOC. • Evaluate a debate. WI VI.2, SOC.VI.2.MS.1, SOC.VI.3, • Articulate his or her personal belief regarding the export of SOC.VI.3.MS.1, SOC.VII.1, SOC. Great Lakes water. CII.1.MS.2IL Language Arts: ELA.1.MS.1, fh[h[gk_i_j[ ELA.2.MS.1, ELA.3.MS.7, ELA.10. IMS.3N Water, Water Everywhere and Water Flow MI Science: A.8.8, B.4.1, C.4.7, C.8.10 WI MI MI leYWXkbWho Social Studies: A.8.11,
WI B.8.9,WI C.8.7, D.8.3, D.8.11 Diversion: The transfer of water from one watershed to another. LanguageIL Arts: B.8.1, C.4.1, C.4.2, Great Lakes watershed: The lands where water from the ground, rivers and C.8.1, C.8.2,IL IC.8.3L streams flow into the Great Lakes. Great Lakes basin: Great Lakes watershed IN IN IN
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MI MI • Fact sheet (p. 441) • Related news articles (on cd) • Role cards • Journal pages WI WI INDOORS • Pencils • Clear plastic bag with holes in it IL IL
IN IN Issues Great Lakes in My World COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons G13 Alliance for the Great Lakes, 2005. Water exportation information for students:
Fishbowl Debate The style of debate the students will be using is called a The Great Lakes governors and premiers signed a non- fishbowl. Half of the class will debate while the other half, binding agreement, called the Great Lakes Charter in a circle around the debaters, observes. The students Annex, in June of 2001 to develop similar water switch between debaters and observers half-way through management programs that would be legally binding in the time period. The observers may not speak during the each of the Great Lakes states and provinces that would debate. Their job is to take notes on the behavior of the protect the Great Lakes from diversions and withdrawals debaters. Before students trade roles, the observers will of water that would be harmful. A draft of the binding report on their observations. The class may discuss ways agreement was released on July 19, 2004. The draft law to make the next round of debate more successful. has four requirements for new water use proposals to get approval to take water from the Great Lakes basin: Export of Great Lakes Water Are the waters of the Great Lakes at risk from being 1. There are no alternative water supplies, including diverted to too many places around the United States conservation of existing water supplies. and the world? In the next 25 years, at least 55 percent 2. Water that is used must be returned (minus what was more freshwater than is now available will be needed to consumed). satisfy the growing global population. Communities in 3. The water withdrawal does not hurt the Great Lakes, the United States and around the world are outgrowing including inland lakes, rivers, stream, wetland, fish their water supply. and wildlife habitat. 4. Water uses must include conservation plans. The Great Lakes states and provinces depend on the 5. Water use proposals must do a project that helps Great Lakes for their drinking water and economy. Great improve the Great Lakes (such as: restore a wetland, Lakes water helps produce 60 percent of North America’s take out an unused dam, stabilize a shoreline from steel and cars. The overall production in the Great Lakes erosion). states and provinces is about $2 trillion annually, which is more than any other country in the world except Japan Once approved by all the Great Lakes governors it will and the economy of the United States as a whole. The take several years to become law. sport fishing industry is worth $7 billion annually. Great Lakes waters provide drinking water for over 33 million There is a debate over whether there should be a people living in the watershed (Great Lakes basin). new water use law and what it should look like. The debate is between groups that include: industrial users, The Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the world’s fresh agriculturalists, municipalities and environmentalists. surface water, but only one percent of it is renewed Generally, the industrial users are not in favor of having through precipitation, groundwater and surface water a new law because they believe it will negatively affect (tributaries, snowmelt). This means that if the Great the economy if there are any restrictions on water use. Lakes are too heavily used as a water source we could Because agriculturalists produce food we eat, many do start to deplete the lakes themselves. There are already not feel they should be part of any water use laws and water shortages in many parts of the Great Lakes basin their uses should be exempt. Municipal water suppliers including Green Bay, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois, that give water to many of our homes are generally Saginaw, Monroe and Oakland counties in Michigan, supportive of the proposed laws, but do not always want areas in northwestern Ohio, Rochester, New York and to return the water after it is used because it is expensive Waterloo, Ontario. For an example of what has happened to build the pipelines to do so. Environmentalists are to the Aral Sea, another freshwater “inland sea,” like the supportive of the new law as they believe such measures Great Lakes, see: http://nailaokda.8m.com/aral.html are necessary to protect the Great Lakes for future generations. The eight states and two provinces within the Great Lakes basin need to work together to find a way to manage For current updates on this issue, see: www.greatlakes. and protect the Great Lakes from overuse. It is important org that this be done together because the largest negative impacts to the Great Lakes are from the combined effect of the many withdrawals and uses within each of the states and provinces, not from one use alone.
Great Lakes in My World Whose Water? Alliance for the Great Lakes, 2005. G14 COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons fheY[Zkh[
Part One: Large group discussion 4. As a class, brainstorm a list of relevant characters involved 1. Introduce the topic of diversions and exportation of in water diversions, which can be gleaned from the fact Great Lakes water and give a flavor for how controversial sheet or articles the students read. Another option is to the issue is. Tell students they will study the issue and give students the included “role cards.” participate in a debate about it. Fill a clear plastic bag with 5. As a class, decide on the roles needed for the debate or water and poke several holes in it, while holding it over a have students work in teams to create solid arguments for sink or a bucket. Ask students to explain how this is similar the roles provided on the “role cards.” For example, there to water withdrawals and diversions in the Great Lakes. could be a group of residents or a water company group How is it different? In the Great Lakes, water diversions that work together on preparing their role for the debate. can be very large, like for the City of Chicago, or smaller. 6. Once roles have been chosen, students should review They can be ongoing for companies or for communities. In their own roles, as well as the roles of others within the any case, they involve taking water from the Great Lakes. community for best preparation. Students create a written Keep in mind that the Great Lakes are glacial deposits that summary of the statements they would like to contribute to are, for the most part, non-renewable. Each year only one the debate. In addition students should write a three-five percent of the waters in the Great Lakes are renewable sentence summary of their personal beliefs on the water through precipitation, tributaries and groundwater. export issue. 2. Discuss what makes a good debate. Have students brainstorm a list of ideas for ways to make the debate Part Two successful. List might include: Listening to each other, 1. Review the elements of a successful debate and the talking loudly enough for others to hear, being polite, guidelines for the fishbowl method. Divide the class into choosing a moderator to facilitate. observers and debaters. 3. Students review the information about Great Lakes water 2. The moderator (educator, or can be another student) calls exportation. They should read the information on page the class to order. 441 and/or the additional news articles on the compact 3. Each character group will have two minutes to make an disc. If they do not individually read all the articles, they initial statement. Once this is complete, each will have two can then break into small groups to teach each other about minutes to make counter arguments. the one article they have read. Students should summarize 4. Observers should report on their observations. Discuss as a their article to share with the other students. class: What was positive about the debate and how could the debate have been more effective? 5. Trade fishbowl positions and repeat for the second group.
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1. Students use their observations of the debate and their 1. Student can write an essay summarizing the Great Lakes written summaries to answer the journal questions and water diversion issue and explaining his/her stance on the discuss them as a class. issue. Opinions should be backed up by facts found either in independent research or the news articles provided. 2. If the class is so inclined, students can write a letter to their senator or representative expressing their views on Great Lakes protections. A list of senators and their addresses can be found at the U.S. Senate’s homepage.
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Rubric on next page. Alliance for the Great Lakes http://www.greatlakes.org/conservation/withdrawal_intro.asp
Whose Water? Great Lakes in My World COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons G15 Alliance for the Great Lakes, , 2005. M^ei[MWj[h5 ELEMENTS
DEBATE PREPARATION: Student prepares for debate by Addresses all of Missing one Missing two Missing three listing elements of a good debate, completing summary of the components component components or more specific article, and preparing to debate based on a specific components view and/or character.
DEBATE: Student (and group) presents a two-minute Addresses all of Missing one Missing two Missing three focused summary of group’s perspective. Summary the components component components or more includes supporting evidence. Student (and group) components presents a counter argument that addresses other perspectives. Argument is based on facts, not opinions. Student (and group) concludes with a final defense that summarizes stance and responds to others’ critiques.
DEBATE REFLECTION: Student reflects on the Addresses all of Missing one Missing two Missing three effectiveness of debate and debaters. Student notes the components component components or more areas of strength and areas for improvement. Student components discusses how his/her opinions evolved through research and the class debate.
LETTER: Letter is appropriately addressed. Student Addresses all of Missing one Missing two Missing three summarizes the issue and presents his/her views with the components component components or more supporting details from reliable sources. Letter is components persuasive, advocates for a specific point, has minimal spelling/grammar errors and follows a letter format.
ESSAY: Essay has a central theme developed throughout. Addresses all of Missing one Missing two Missing three Student presents and critiques all sides of the issue fairly. the components component components or more Student concludes the essay with his/her personal opinion components and supporting details. Essay has minimal spelling and grammatical errors. Sources are cited.
Great Lakes in My World Whose Water? Alliance for the Great Lakes, 2005. G16 COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons Role cards A B You are a local resident concerned about You are the chief executive officer of a the future. You live in the Great Lakes water bottling plant. What is your name? watershed. What is your name? What Background with the company? Why is the name the community? You have are you concerned about Great Lakes children, which is one reason you are water exports? You know that your water concerned about the future of Great Lakes diversion from a Great Lakes stream has water. What are other reasons that you are caused it to run dry, but do not plans to concerned? What is your job? Develop change to a new business. You want your your character and opinion. business to be as profitable as possible. Many local people are employed at your plant. Develop your character and opinion.
C D You are a third generation farmer in a place You are a resident in a community just where freshwater is becoming increasingly outside of the Great Lakes watershed with unavailable for you to use to water your polluted drinking water. Because you are crops. As a farmer, you do not feel that outside of the watershed, your community you should have to be concerned with new cannot access Great Lakes water. What water use laws. After all, you are growing is your name? What community are you food for people in the region. Develop from? What do you think should happen your character and opinion. with the new water law?
E F You own a coal-fired power plant that Other Community member: Develop uses water in order to run your plant. Your another role for the debate. plant supplies electricity to the whole community. You think this new law might negatively impact the economy and do not want to spend money to build pipelines to put the water back in the lake, once it is used. You have a family and are concerned about the future and enjoy fishing on the Great Lakes.
Whose Water? Great Lakes in My World COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons G17 Alliance for the Great Lakes, , 2005. M^ei[MWj[h5 6-8
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APPROVED BY Great Lakes in My World Whose Water? Alliance for the Great Lakes, 2005. G18 COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons M^ei[MWj[h5 6-8
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APPROVED BY Whose Water? Great Lakes in My World COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons G19 Alliance for the Great Lakes, , 2005. M^ei[MWj[h5 6-8
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APPROVED BY Great Lakes in My World Whose Water? Alliance for the Great Lakes, 2005. G20 COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons M^ei[MWj[h5 6-8
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APPROVED BY Whose Water? Great Lakes in My World COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons G21 Alliance for the Great Lakes, , 2005. M^ei[MWj[h5 6-8
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G22 COSEE Greatest of the Great Lakes—A Medley of Model Lessons 7ATER PRESSURES DIVIDE A 'REAT ,AKE STATE "Y $!. %'!. ,AST 5PDATED .OV &IRST OF THREE PARTS +NOWING THAT .EW "ERLINS PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY IS TAINTED WITH POTENTIALLY CANCER CAUSING RADIUM DOESNT KEEP -AYOR 4ED 7YSOCKI UP AT NIGHT 4ROUBLED 7ATERS h)M NOT EVEN WORRIED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE WATER )M WORRIED ABOUT WHERE THE WATER IS GOING TO COME FROM9OU COULD COME TO THE POINT WHERE ALL WERE SUCKING UP IS SAND v HE SAYS h)F YOU DONT HAVE WATER YOU DONT HAVE A CITY9OUVE GOT A GHOST TOWNv 1UIETLY STEADILY -ILWAUKEES FAST GROWING WESTERN SUBURBS HAVE ! #OVETED 2ESOURCE BEEN SUCKING DRY THE UNDERGROUND BODY OF WATER THAT FOR DECADES -ANAGING THE WATERS OF ,AKE -ICHIGAN AND ALL OF THE 'REAT HAS BEEN THEIR MAIN SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER 7ATER LEVELS IN THE ,AKES IS BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL CHALLENGES OF THE DEEP SANDSTONE AQUIFER HAVE DROPPED MORE THAN FEET AND NOW NEW CENTURY IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME MAYBE LESS THAN A 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SAYS CONSERVATION MEASURES THAT DOESNT ,FDQVHHWKHODNHEXW,FDQ¶WJHWWKH CHANGE THE FACT THAT THE AQUIFER WOULD STILL ZDWHU"*LYHPHDEUHDN6RPHWKLQJ @7ORSE AND WORSE BE DEPLETINGv LVZURQJKHUH #ONSERVATION MEASURES WONT BE 7HG:\VRFNL ENOUGH 4HE PROBLEM IS CONSERVATION MEASURES 1HZ%HUOLQPD\RUVWDQGLQJRQWKH LIKELY CANT KEEP PACE WITH GROWTH IN A VKRUHRI/DNH0LFKLJDQ -OST THINK WATER SHORTAGES PLAGUE ONLY COUNTY THAT HAS BALLOONED FROM HOT AND PARCHED AREAS NOT A STATE FAMOUS RESIDENTS IN TO ABOUT TODAY 7ATER PUMPED OVER THE BASIN LINE NEVER RETURNS 3O RAIN OR SNOW THAT LANDS IN 7ILLIAMS BACKYARD DRIBBLES AND TRICKLES TOWARD ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER IN HIS FRONT YARD ROLLS TOWARD THE -ISSISSIPPI %ARLIER THIS YEAR THE #ITY OF .EW "ERLIN CUT A DEAL WITH THE #ITY OF -ILWAUKEE TO SUPPLY LAKE WATER TO THE EASTERN THIRD OF .EW "ERLIN THE PORTION OF THE CITY THAT LIES INSIDE THE 'REAT ,AKES "ASIN 4HAT WAS GREAT NEWS TO 7ILLIAMS WHO HAS RELIED ON HIS OWN WATER SOFTENER TO REMOVE RADIUM FROM HIS FAUCETS SINCE HE MOVED HERE IN THE MID S (E TAKES THE 5RBAN DEVELOPMENT AND ALL THAT COMES WITH IT SUCH AS THIS ASPHALT PARKING LOT RADIUM ISSUE SO SERIOUSLY THAT HE SENT HIS MAKE IT DIFlCULT FOR WATER TO RETURN TO THE EARTH RECHARGING NATURAL WATER SUPPLIES DAUGHTER OFF TO KINDERGARTEN WITH EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS NOT TO WET HER LIPS AT THE SCHOOL WATER FOUNTAIN 4HEN !ND .OW 4HAT WAS THEN 4HE lRST WELLS IN 4HIS IS NOW 3O MUCH WATER HAS BEEN .EW "ERLIN -AYOR 7YSOCKI SAYS THE SOUTHEASTERN 7ISCONSIN DUG IN THE SUCKED FROM THE AQUIFER BENEATH -ILWAUKEE WATER DEAL WILL EASE THE WATER LATE S RELEASED SO MUCH PRESSURE 7AUKESHA #OUNTY THAT ITS CREATED A WORRIES FOR ALL .EW "ERLIN RESIDENTS 7ITH THAT WATER COLUMNS SHOT UP FEET DEPRESSION IN THE WATER LEVEL THAT HAS THE EASTERN THIRD OF THE CITY NO LONGER REVERSED UNDERGROUND mOWS WATER PUMPING WATER OUT OF THE GROUND THE NOW mOWS UNDERGROUND AWAY FROM CITY CAN SHUT OFF TAINTED WELLS AND STILL ,AKE -ICHIGAN INSTEAD OF TOWARD IT HAVE ENOUGH REMAINING GOOD WATER TO GO AROUND A FUTURE WHERE IT MAY RELY SOLELY ON THE h/NE OF THE PROBLEMS WEVE HAD v SAYS SHALLOW AQUIFER "RADBURY THE HYDROGEOLOGIST hIS SO MANY &OR NOW OF THE COMMUNITIES HAVE GROWN TOGETHER /THER COMMUNITIES SUCH AS "ROOKlELD AND MERGED TOGETHER THAT WERE USING ALL 7YSOCKI lGURES THE CITY WILL STILL NEED TO INTEND TO INSTALL SYSTEMS TO REMOVE RADIUM THE GROUNDWATER IN ONE PLACEv lND A NEW SOURCE IN ABOUT A DECADE /NE FROM THEIR CONTAMINATED WELLS A COSTLY PLACE TO LOOK IS TO THE WEST BUT HE lGURES PROSPECT 4HE CITY ALSO WILL LOOK FOR NEW -INI #ONTINENTAL $IVIDE THAT PUTTING IN MORE WELLS JUST BUYS TIME WELLS IN THE SHALLOW AQUIFER %AST TO THE LAKE WEST TO THE -ISSISSIPPI AND PUSHES THE PROBLEM ONTO NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES h4HE DOWNSIDE TO USING THAT SHALLOW .EW "ERLINS "ART 7ILLIAMS LITERALLY LIVES AQUIFER IS IT IS MORE LIKELY TO AFFECT SURFACE ATOP WHAT COULD BECOME THE FRONT LINE IN h)T BECOMES A DOMINO EFFECT OF PROBLEMS v WATER RESOURCES LIKE SPRINGS LAKES THE LOOMING BATTLE OVER EXPORTING 'REAT HE SAYS AND WETLANDS v SAYS #HAD #ZARKOWSKI ,AKES WATER DRINKING WATER EXPERT FOR THE 7ISCONSIN 4HE ANSWER THE MAYOR SAYS IS ,AKE $EPARTMENT OF .ATURAL 2ESOURCES /FlCIALS 4HE 'REAT ,AKES "ASIN BORDER THAT SLICES -ICHIGAN AT THE $.2 ALREADY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THROUGH HIS BACKYARD IS ACTUALLY A MINI HOW A SHALLOW WELL FOR -UKWONAGO COULD #ONTINENTAL $IVIDE THOUGH MUCH LESS "UT WITH THAT ANSWER FAR MORE IS AT AFFECT 7AUKESHA #OUNTYS LAST BIG NATURE DRAMATIC THAN THE FAMOUS 2OCKY -OUNTAIN STAKE THAN SOLVING THE WATER SHORTAGE IN PRESERVE THE 6ERNON -ARSH RIB SEPARATING 0ACIlC /CEAN BOUND WATER 7AUKESHA #OUNTY FROM !TLANTIC /CEAN BOUND WATER 4HERE MAY BE AMPLE WATER IN 7AUKESHA )N #ONGRESS GAVE EACH GOVERNOR OF #OUNTYS SHALLOW AQUIFERS TO MEET THE 4HOSE WHO LIVE INSIDE THE LINE ARE ENTITLED THE EIGHT 'REAT ,AKES STATES VETO POWER DEMAND BUT THOSE SOURCES REQUIRE TO SPLASH A VIRTUALLY UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF OVER ANY OUT OF BASIN DIVERSIONS OF WATER UNDEVELOPED LAND TO ENSURE THAT WATER 'REAT ,AKES WATER ON THEMSELVES AND CAN SEEP DOWN AND RECHARGE THE SUPPLY THEIR LAWNS AND USE IT TO FUEL INDUSTRY 4HE IDEA WAS TO GIVE GOVERNORS CONTROL 3ETTING ASIDE LAND FOR SUCH A USE CAN GET AND GROW CROPS 4HOSE ON THE OUTSIDE OVER WITHDRAWALS BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY A TRICKY IN SUCH A FAST DEVELOPING AREA WITH THE HUGE EXCEPTION OF THE #HICAGO MATTER OF TIME UNTIL PARCHED REGIONS OF METROPOLITAN AREA GENERALLY CANT TOUCH IT THE COUNTRY OR EVEN THE GLOBE CAME h9OU CANT RECHARGE THROUGH BUILDINGS AND KNOCKING PAVEMENT v SAYS $ON 3WAILES DRINKING 4HE RATIONALE IS THAT MOST OF THE WATER WATER QUALITY SECTION CHIEF FOR THE $.2 )T PUMPED FROM THE 'REAT ,AKES BUT KEPT h4HE BIG CONCERN WASNT THE -ILWAUKEE CAN GET EVEN TRICKIER IF ONE CITYS AQUIFER WITHIN THE BASIN ULTIMATELY mOWS DOWN SUBURBS OR THE #HICAGO SUBURBS )T WAS GETS ITS RECHARGE FROM OPEN SPACE IN A RIVERS DRAINS AND SEWERS BACK INTO THE 0HOENIX OR !LBUQUERQUE v SAYS -ICHAEL NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY LAKES $ONAHUE PRESIDENT OF THE !NN !RBOR -ICH BASED 'REAT ,AKES #OMMISSION 4ALE OF CITIES REVEALS WATERS IMPACT "Y ,%% "%2'15)34 ,AST 5PDATED .OV 3ECOND OF THREE PARTS -ICHAEL 0OLLOCOFF REMEMBERS WHAT THE WATER WAS LIKE TWO DECADES AGO BEFORE 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE BLOOMED INTO ONE OF 7ISCONSINS FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITIES h)T LOOKED LIKE ORANGE +OOL !ID AND SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS v SAYS 0OLLOCOFF THE VILLAGE MANAGER ,IKE OTHER COMMUNITIES WITH DECLINING GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE STRUGGLED WITH RADIUM IN ITS MUNICIPAL WELLS 7ATER BILLS WOULD GO OUT WITH WARNINGS ABOUT CARCINOGENS AND 0OLLOCOFF 4ALE /F #ITIES WOULD lELD CALLS FROM EXASPERATED RESIDENTS $OWNTOWN ,OWELL REMAINS A QUIET ECONOMIC BACKWATER IN PART BECAUSE THE NORTHWEST )NDIANA CITY LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE h$O YOU EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR THIS v THE 'REAT ,AKES BASIN HAS NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO REPLACE ITS TAINTED WATER WITH ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER 0HOTO 4OM ,YNN 9ES HE DID /VERVIEW h$O YOU EXPECT ME TO DRINK IT v 0OWER 4HE GOVERNORS OF THE EIGHT 'REAT ,AKES STATES .O HE DIDNT DECIDE WHETHER ANY COMMUNITY OUTSIDE THE 'REAT ,AKES BASIN CAN HAVE ACCESS TO LAKE WATER 4HE SOLUTION SEEMED EASY 3IX FEET FROM A 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE WATER MAIN LAY A WATER MAIN FROM THE CITY OF +ENOSHA AND A PIPELINE TO (ISTORY 4HE GOVERNORS HAVE APPROVED OUTSIDE ACCESS ON ,AKE -ICHIGAN )N THE TWO COMMUNITIES BROKERED A DEAL ONLY TWO OCCASIONS +ENOSHA GOT SQUARE MILES OF LAND AND FOR THE lRST TIME AN 0RESSURE $EMAND FOR WATER IS GROWING IN SOME LOCALITIES IMPORTANT ACCESS POINT TO ) 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE GOT ITS LINK TO FRESH AS SOME EXPERTS QUESTION THE GOVERNORS CONSTITUTIONAL LAKE WATER AUTHORITY TO APPROVE DIVERSIONS "UT THE VILLAGE COULD NOT TURN THE SPIGOT ON #HANGES 4O HEAD OFF THAT CHALLENGE THE GOVERNORS ARE RE EVALUATING THEIR POLICIES TOWARD WATER DIVERSION 7ATER CANNOT BE TAKEN OUTSIDE THE 'REAT ,AKES BASIN WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE EIGHT 'REAT ,AKES STATES GOVERNORS AND AS CLOSE 0OLITICS !LL OF THIS IS HAPPENING AS THE POLITICAL POWER AS IT IS TO THE SHORELINE ABOUT HALF OF 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE ACTUALLY IS SHIFTS TO STATES WITH GROWING NEEDS FOR FRESH WATER -ANY OUTSIDE THE BASIN 4HE GOVERNORS HAD NEVER APPROVED A DIVERSION OF THOSE STATES EYE THE 'REAT ,AKES WITH ENVY FROM ONE OF THE 'REAT ,AKES BUT MOST WERE WILLING TO GO ALONG 4HE GOVERNOR FROM -ICHIGAN *OHN %NGLER WAS THE PRIMARY STUMBLING BLOCK 4HE mIP SIDE 4O PUSH ITS POINT 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE PAID TO A LOBBYIST IN 7HAT HAPPENS WHEN WATER ACCESS IS DENIED ,ANSING TO TELL ITS STORY 3OON THEREAFTER IN 3EPTEMBER A PICTURE OF 0OLLOCOFF HOLDING A BOTTLE OF RUSTY WATER APPEARED ON THE FRONT PAGE ,OWELL )ND IS ALSO A CLASSIC EXAMPLE BUT FOR THE OPPOSITE REASON OF THE $ETROIT &REE 0RESS !NOTHER PICTURE SHOWED RESIDENTS BEING FORCED TO lLL UP WATER BOTTLES FROM A LOCAL ARTESIAN WELL &OR YEARS THIS LITTLE TOWN JUST BEYOND THE BOUNDARY OF THE 'REAT ,AKES BASIN STRUGGLED WITH EXCESSIVE LEVELS OF NATURALLY OCCURRING 4WO MONTHS LATER -ICHIGAN BROKE THE LOGJAM SENDING A LETTER TO mUORIDE MAKING ITS WATER UNSAFE TO DRINK ,IKE 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE IT 7ISCONSIN OFlCIALS SAYING IT WOULD NOT OBJECT TO LETTING 0LEASANT PETITIONED THE 'REAT ,AKES GOVERNORS TO ALLOW A HOOKUP TO ,AKE 0RAIRIE TURN ON THE ,AKE -ICHIGAN FAUCET 4HE DECISION WAS ONE OF -ICHIGAN WATER !ND LIKE 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE THE BIG HOLDUP WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT IN THE HISTORY OF 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE TRANSFORMING -ICHIGAN AGAIN UNDER THEN 'OV %NGLER THE VILLAGE FROM CROPLAND AND FADED BARNS TO SUBDIVISIONS RETAIL OUTLETS AND CRISP INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS 5NLIKE 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE ,OWELL WAS REFUSED PERMISSION AND LOCAL OFlCIALS ARE STILL STEAMED 5NTIL THEN THE VILLAGE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON ITS PROXIMITY TO #HICAGO 7ATER MADE THE DIFFERENCE h7E LOST ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER BECAUSE OF THE CAPRICIOUSNESS OF ONE MAN WHICH ) THINK IS GOVERNMENT AT ITS WORST v SAYS $AVID 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF THE POWER AND POLITICS OF 'ARD PRESIDENT OF THE ,OWELL 4OWN #OUNCIL h 7E WERE IN A 'REAT ,AKES WATER AND THE REASON THERE IS GROWING CONCERN ABOUT DESPERATE SITUATION AND THEY SLAMMED THE DOOR ON USv THE WAY IT IS MANAGED THE ADVICE OF A LOCAL FARMER INSTEAD AND DRILLED A DEEP WELL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN 4HEY STRUCK WATER 3UPPLIES TODAY ARE ACCEPTABLE OFlCIALS SAY ,IKE MANY COMMUNITIES ,OWELL WANTS TO GROW AND IT MUST ANNEX SURROUNDING LAND TO DO SO "UT WATER IS THE KEY TO MAKING EVERYTHING ELSE WORK #OUNCIL 0RESIDENT 'ARD SAYS HIS COMMUNITY WILL EVENTUALLY ASK THE GOVERNORS AGAIN FOR PERMISSION TO USE ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER h7E NEED TO BRING SOME GROUND INTO TOWN v 'ARD SAYS h7ILL OUR WELL lELD SUPPORT IT ) DONT KNOW "UT ,AKE -ICHIGAN WOULD HAVE BEEN A CLEAR AND ENDURING ANSWER FOR USv 4HE !NSWER 7AS 9ES #OVETED RESOURCE 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE IN +ENOSHA #OUNTY HAS GROWN IN LARGE PART BECAUSE IT GAINED #ONCERN GROWS ABOUT MINING 'REAT APPROVAL TO TAP INTO ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER )T HAS NO DElNED VILLAGE CENTER BUT THE ,AKES 0RIME /UTLETS AT (IGHWAY AND ) ALONG WITH A HOTEL AND RESTAURANTS FORM THE MAIN BUSINESS DISTRICT OF THE VILLAGE 0HOTO 4OM ,YNN 7ITH THEIR OCEAN LIKE GRANDEUR THE 'REAT ,AKES MAY SEEM LIMITLESS %VEN TODAY AS LAKE LEVELS HAVE FALLEN CLOSE TO HISTORIC LOWS THE TOTAL IMPACT FROM USERS OF THE lVE LAKES CAN BE MEASURED IN A FEW INCHES "UT DESPITE THE LAKES IMMENSITY AGENCIES THAT PROTECT THEM CLAIM THAT LITTLE OF THE WATER CAN BE WASTED /NLY OF THE WATER IS RENEWED ANNUALLY BY RAIN RUNOFF AND THE HUGE QUANTITIES THAT TRICKLE IN FROM NEIGHBORING GROUNDWATER ACCORDING TO THE 'REAT ,AKES #OMMISSION A 53 #ANADIAN AGENCY DEVOTED TO RESOURCE ISSUES 4HERE IS CONCERN THAT THE LAKES COULD BE MINED FAR BEYOND THEIR CURRENT LEVELS AND THAT CONCERN IS GROWING AS FRESH WATER BECOMES PERHAPS THE MOST CRITICAL 4HE !NSWER 7AS .O RESOURCE OF THE NEW CENTURY $AVID 'ARD IS PRESIDENT OF THE 4OWN #OUNCIL IN ,OWELL )ND 4HE TOWN IS OUTSIDE THE 'REAT ,AKES BASIN AND ITS GROWTH HAS BEEN LIMITED BECAUSE IT WAS DENIED !MID THIS BACKDROP THE POLITICAL STRENGTH ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER 0HOTO 4OM ,YNN OF THE 'REAT ,AKES STATES IS WANING 7ITH CONGRESSIONAL POWER SHIFTING TO THE 3UN "ELT STATES hWE FEAR #ONGRESS -ICHIGAN HAS TRADITIONALLY TAKEN A HARD LINE 53 (IGHWAY THE TWO MAIN HIGHWAYS MAY WELL COME IN AND IMPOSE SOMETHING ON DIVERSIONS BECAUSE IT HAS NO WORRIES IN THE AREA 4HERES NEW COMMERCIAL ON US v SAYS 4ODD !MBS ADMINISTRATOR THE ENTIRE STATE IS WITHIN THE BASIN )N THE DEVELOPMENT BEYOND THE EDGE OF TOWN OF THE WATER DIVISION AT THE 7ISCONSIN PAST THE -ICHIGAN $EPARTMENT OF .ATURAL .EW HOMES AND SUBDIVISIONS ARE POPPING $EPARTMENT OF .ATURAL 2ESOURCES AND A 2ESOURCES HAS SAID IT OPPOSES DIVERSIONS UP AS SPRAWL FROM #HICAGO AND OTHER STAFF REPRESENTATIVE ON THE #OUNCIL OF 'REAT hSUPPORTING GROWTH AND EXPANSION IN AN NORTHERN )NDIANA COMMUNITIES MOVES ,AKES 'OVERNORS h)F ITS LEFT UP TO THEM WE AREA UNABLE TO PROVIDE ITS OWN PUBLIC WATER SOUTHWARD ARE SHALL WE SAY SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL THE SUPPLY v ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS REST OF #ONGRESS IS INTERESTED IN PROTECTING ,OWELL HAS MISSED OUT 'REAT ,AKES WATER RESOURCESv 4HESE DAYS CENTURY OLD BRICK BUILDINGS LINE ,OWELLS MAIN STREET GIVING THE TOWN A BIT !FTER IT WAS DENIED ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER IN 3UCH APPREHENSION PERCOLATES ACROSS THE OF A .ORMAN 2OCKWELL FEEL "UT IF HE WERE THE COMMUNITY WAS FORCED TO SPEND REGION ALIVE TODAY AND PAINTING ,OWELL 2OCKWELL NEARLY MILLION TO DRILL NEW WELLS AND BUILD MIGHT DRAW A TOWN ELDER WITH A PERPLEXED A NEW MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM 4HE lRST h9OU TAKE ALL OF THESE INSECURITIES PLUS EXPRESSION AS IF THINKING h7HERES SIX WELLS DID NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH WATER TO THE POLITICAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE INHERENT EVERYONE GOING v PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE RESERVE IN WATER AND YOU SEE WHY PEOPLE ARE WORRYING ABOUT THE LAKES TODAY v SAYS #ARS AND TRUCKS LUMBER ALONG #OMMERCIAL 4OWN OFlCIALS ENDED UP IGNORING THE 'EORGE +UPER PRESIDENT AND CHIEF !VE WITHOUT STOPPING EN ROUTE TO ) AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF TWO HYDROLOGISTS TOOK EXECUTIVE OFlCER OF THE #OUNCIL OF 'REAT ,AKES )NDUSTRIES AN !NN !RBOR -ICH ! YEAR LATER #ONGRESS STEPPED IN AND BASED ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS BIG PASSED THE 7ATER 2ESOURCES $EVELOPMENT 4XRWDEOH WATER USERS !CT 4HE LAW REQUIRED THE GOVERNORS OF 7ISCONSIN -INNESOTA )LLINOIS -ICHIGAN 7E WERE IN A DESPERATE SITUATION 0EOPLE HAVE LONG WANTED TO USE THE 'REAT )NDIANA /HIO 0ENNSYLVANIA AND .EW 9ORK AND THEY SLAMMED THE DOOR ON US ,AKES WHICH ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT OF TO APPROVE ANY WATER DIVERSION OUTSIDE THE THE WORLDS FRESHWATER SUPPLY TO SOLVE 'REAT ,AKES BASIN 'DYLG*DUG THEIR WATER PROBLEMS /NE TIME IT WAS A SUHVLGHQWRIWKH/RZHOO,QG PROPOSAL TO SHIP WATER TO !SIA IN TANKERS 4HE BASIN MARKS ALL LAND IN WHICH WATER 7RZQ&RXQFLO ANOTHER TIME IT WAS A SUGGESTION TO PIPE EVENTUALLY mOWS BACK TO THE LAKES )T TWISTS WATER TO THE 'REAT 0LAINS AND SWERVES SOMETIMES REACHING INLAND FOR HUNDREDS OF MILES /THER TIMES SUCH AS h4HEN THERE WAS DECLINING LAKE LEVELS AND h0EOPLE LOOK AT THESE GREAT BODIES OF WATER THE STRETCH FROM -ILWAUKEE TO #HICAGO AND GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND SAY @)TS RIDICULOUS TO SAY WE CANT INTO NORTHERN )NDIANA IT BECOMES A MERE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE USE MORE OF IT h SAYS 0ETER 'LEICK AN RIBBON AROUND THE WATER ITSELF STRETCHING WHO SAID THIS IS NOT A RESOURCE THAT WE /AKLAND #ALIF BASED WATER POLICY EXPERT NO FARTHER THAN A FEW MILES FROM THE SHORE CAN TAKE FOR GRANTED v SAYS 3AM 3PECK AND CO FOUNDER OF THE 0ACIlC )NSTITUTE DIRECTOR OF THE /HIO $EPARTMENT OF .ATURAL A NON PROlT CENTER THAT FOCUSES ON THE )N A BUSINESS START UP CALLED THE 2ESOURCES AND CHAIRMAN OF THE 'REAT ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT .OVA 'ROUP BASED IN 3AULT 3TE -ARIE ,AKES #OMMISSION h) THINK IT IS A LEGITIMATE FEAR ) THINK ITS /NTARIO PERSUADED /NTARIO OFlCIALS TO PERFECTLY APPROPRIATE FOR THE 'REAT ,AKES APPROVE A REQUEST TO USE ,AKE 3UPERIOR !LL OF THESE EVENTS PROMPTED THE GOVERNORS COMMUNITY TO WORRY ABOUT OUTSIDERS TO lLL UP WATER TANKERS BOUND FOR !SIA AND PREMIERS TO MEET IN .IAGARA &ALLS WANTING TO TAKE 'REAT ,AKES WATERv 4HE DEAL COLLAPSED BUT THE 5NITED 3TATES .9 IN *UNE AND PLEDGE TO lND NEW WOULD HAVE BEEN POWERLESS TO STOP IT RULES FOR DEALING WITH WATER MANAGEMENT !LARM BELLS BECAUSE OF #ANADIAN SOVEREIGNTY 'OVERNORS PREMIERS WORK ON NEW RULES #ALLING THEMSELVES h!NNEX v THEY SET h4HAT SENT OFF ALARM BELLS ACROSS THE A DEADLINE OF *UNE "ECAUSE THEY BORDER #ANADA THE 'REAT 'REAT ,AKES STATES v SAYS *EFF %DSTROM ,AKES HAVE BEEN GOVERNED BY INTERNATIONAL A #HICAGO BASED CONSULTANT AND FORMER ! WORKING GROUP OF OFlCIALS REPRESENTING TREATIES AND LAWS THAT DATE BACK TO THE STAFF MEMBER OF THE #OUNCIL OF 'REAT ,AKES THE GOVERNORS AND PREMIERS IS EXPECTED TO .ORTHWEST /RDINANCE OF 'OVERNORS UNVEIL A DRAFT OF NEW PROTECTIONS EARLY NEXT YEAR )N IN REACTION TO A NEW ROUND OF )N ADDITION WATER LAW EXPERTS ADVISED PROPOSALS TO PULL WATER FROM THE LAKES THE GOVERNORS IN THAT THEIR AUTHORITY 4HE GUIDING TENET 7ATER TAKEN OUT OF THE EIGHT 'REAT ,AKES GOVERNORS AND THE COULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE THE BASIN WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEANED AND PREMIERS OF /NTARIO AND 1UEBEC WHICH STATES TYPICALLY CANT IMPOSE LIMITS ON RETURNED SO THERE IS NO NET LOSS TO THE IS INCLUDED BECAUSE THE 3T ,AWRENCE THE INTERSTATE MOVEMENT OF GOODS )N LAKES &OR THE VERY LARGEST OF DIVERSIONS 3EAWAY IS CONSIDERED PART OF THE SYSTEM ADDITION THEIR VETO AUTHORITY OVER WATER WATER WOULD HAVE TO BE RETURNED AT SIGNED THE 'REAT ,AKES #HARTER WHICH DEALS MIGHT VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL TRADE A HIGHER QUALITY THAN USUAL TREATMENT OUTLINED A SERIES OF PRINCIPLES TO COLLECTIVELY AGREEMENTS METHODS MANAGE THE LAKES 4IMELINE *UNE 7HEN THE 'REAT ,AKES GOVERNORS AND PREMIERS OF /NTARIO AND 1UEBEC INITIALLY MET TO PLEDGE TO lND NEW RULES FOR WATER MANAGEMENT *UNE 7HEN THEY HOPE TO HAVE THOSE NEW RULES COMPLETED !ND 4HEN /NCE COMPLETED THE PLAN WILL GO BEFORE #ONGRESS THE EIGHT 'REAT ,AKES STATE LEGISLATURES THE TWO 'REAT ,AKES PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURES AND THE #ANADIAN 0ARLIAMENT 7AVES /F $EVELOPMENT 4HE SIGNS OF GROWTH CAN BE SEEN IN 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE IN +ENOSHA #OUNTY ! NEW SUBDIVISION FOREGROUND IS IN ITS lNAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT AND BEHIND IT LAND HAS ALREADY BEEN CLEARED FOR ANOTHER (IGHWAY IS AT RIGHT 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE OWES MUCH OF ITS RECENT GROWTH TO LINKING TO THE CITY OF +ENOSHAS WATER SYSTEM WHICH USES ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER 0HOTO 4OM ,YNN )F WATER COULD NOT BE RETURNED USERS WATER TO TRANSPORT COAL SLURRY FROM 7YOMING WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR PROJECTS SUCH AS AND -ONTANA BACK TO THE -IDWEST "Y 4HE .UMBERS RESTORATION OF HABITAT OR WETLANDS THAT WOULD BENElT THE LAKES !ND IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS PROMPTED 'OV *AMES 4HOMPSON OF )LLINOIS TO CALL 0OPULATION INCREASE IN 0LEASANT 3TATES COULD BE DELEGATED THE FOR DIVERTING WATER FROM THE 'REAT ,AKES TO 0RAIRIE DURING DECADE AFTER IT GAINED RESPONSIBILITY TO DECIDE SMALL DIVERSIONS RAISE WATER LEVELS ON THE -ISSISSIPPI 2IVER ACCESS TO ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER SUCH AS 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE WITH SOME AND RELIEVE STALLED BARGE TRAFlC LIMITATIONS !S PROJECTS SURFACED SO DID POLITICIANS TO 4HE GROUP IS ALSO WORKING ON A PROPOSAL DENOUNCE THEM THAT FOR THE lRST TIME EVER MIGHT FORCE COMMUNITIES TO ADOPT CONSERVATION h!S FAR AS )M CONCERNED THE ONLY WATER WE MEASURES IF THEY WANT MORE WATER FROM THE SHOULD SELL IS THAT WHICH GOES OUT IN CANS LAKES THAN THEY NOW USE MIXED WITH MALT HOPS AND BARLEY v 'OV ,EE 3 $REYFUS JOKED TWO DECADES AGO !NNEX WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO GO BEFORE #ONGRESS AND STATE LEGISLATURES 7ITH NEW PROTECTIONS IN THE WORKS WILL AS WELL AS THE PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURES AND SOME FARAWAY PLACE WITH WATER TROUBLES THE #ANADIAN 0ARLIAMENT %XPERTS BELIEVE STILL WANT TO TAP THE 'REAT ,AKES (IGH IT COULD OVERCOME THE LEGAL PROBLEMS ENERGY COSTS TO PUMP WATER OVER LONG WHILE PROTECTING THE LAKES FROM LARGE SCALE DISTANCES AND BITTER BATTLES WITH PROPERTY DIVERSIONS OWNERS ALONG A PROJECTS PATH WOULD PRESENT MAJOR OBSTACLES ! THIRSTY COUNTRY "IG DIVERSIONS UNLIKELY BUT CANT BE h4HE ERA OF BIG WATER TRANSFER PROJECTS IS RULED OUT COMING TO AN END BECAUSE WE ARE lNALLY BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUE COSTS OF 4HE 'REAT ,AKES HAVE LONG BEEN THE TARGET THOSE PROJECTS v SAYS WATER EXPERT 'LEICK OF GRANDIOSE DIVERSION PROPOSALS "UT 'LEICK AND OTHERS AGREE THAT THE 'REAT ,AKES STATES NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE )N THE S THE 53 !RMY #ORPS OF PROTECTING THE BIG WATERS %NGINEERS STUDIED WHETHER THE 'REAT ,AKES COULD HELP THE 'REAT 0LAINS BY h7HAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE MAJOR CHANGES REPLENISHING DECLINING WATER LEVELS IN IN THE ECONOMY v ASKS 2EG 'ILBERT SENIOR THE /GALLALA !QUIFER THE VAST SUPPLY OF COORDINATOR FOR 'REAT ,AKES 5NITED A GROUNDWATER STRETCHING FROM 4EXAS TO "UFFALO .9 BASED ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP 3OUTH $AKOTA h7ATER AT THE MOMENT IS CHEAP "UT WILL IT BE THAT WAY IN THE FUTURE 7HO KNOWS WHAT )N MINING INTERESTS PROPOSED A PEOPLE WILL CONSIDER THE SMART THING TO DO BILLION PIPELINE THAT WOULD USE ,AKE 3UPERIOR IN THE FUTURE v "OOM TIMES 4HE COMMUNITYS POPULATION WHICH HAD h4HE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF ECONOMIC 0LEASANT 0RAIRIES GROWTH STARTED WITH REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FROM DEVELOPMENT ARE SEWER WATER AND WATER TO JUMPED TO IN ELECTRICITY v 0OLLOCOFF SAYS h)F YOU MISS ANY MAKING IT ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING OF THOSE YOURE DONEv 2ICK !NDERSON KNOWS ALL TOO WELL THE VALUE COMMUNITIES IN 7ISCONSIN 0ROPERTY OF WATER AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE INSIDE OR VALUES ZOOMED DURING THE S AS WELL OUTSIDE THE BASIN SKYROCKETING FROM MILLION TO &ROM THE .OV EDITIONS OF THE BILLION -ILWAUKEE *OURNAL 3ENTINEL"Y $!. %'!. &OR YEARS HE AND MANY OF HIS NEIGHBORS QUIETLY ENDURED FOUL SMELLING WATER AND ,AKE6IEW #ORPORATE 0ARK MINUTES ,AST 5PDATED .OV SOMETIMES NO WATER AT ALL FROM /(ARE )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT BROKE GROUND SHORTLY AFTER THE VILLAGE GOT WATER (E LIVES IN AN AFmUENT SUBDIVISION SOUTH AND HELPED JUMP START THE BOOM 4HE OF 'ARY )ND AND FROM HIS LAWN HE COULD ACRE BUSINESS PARK IS ASSESSED AT ALMOST DRIVE A GOLF BALL INTO A BIG TREE LINED MILLION IT NOW DRAWS MORE THAN POND "UT THE PASTORAL SETTING BELIED THE WORKERS EVERY BUSINESS DAY -AIN 3T IS TROUBLES THAT LURKED UNDERGROUND NOT A QUAINT VILLAGE CENTER BUT A SPRAWLING STORE OUTLET MALL JUST OFF ) THAT SELLS !NDERSON BUILT HIS HOME IN AND DUG EVERYTHING FROM 6ERSACE FASHIONS TO WELLS TRYING TO lND DECENT WATER (E 7ATERFORD CRYSTAL TO -AIDENFORM BRAS BOUGHT WATER lLTERS AND WENT THROUGH THEM LIKE TOILET PAPER (E TURNED TO A 4HE VILLAGE BUILT AN MILLION COMMUNITY YEAR OLD WATER WITCH WHO CLAIMS HE CAN CENTER IN THE ,AKE6IEW 2ECPLEX lND WATER WITH NO SUCCESS THAT LIES ON THE SHORE OF ,AKE !NDREA AN "UT WHEN NEIGHBORS lNALLY DID SOME ARTIlCIAL LAKE THAT USED TO BE A GRAVEL PIT RESEARCH THEY DISCOVERED SOMETHING BETTER THAN A RICH VEIN OF GROUNDWATER TO -ANY OF THE SUBDIVISIONS ARE NEW TOO )N SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS 4HE SUBDIVISION WAS THE LAST DECADE 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE BECAME A TUCKED A HALF MILE INSIDE THE 'REAT ,AKES MAGNET FOR )LLINOIS HOMEOWNERS TWO THIRDS BASIN AND WAS ABLE TO CONNECT TO ,AKE OF ALL NEW HOMES BUILT IN THE lRST HALF OF THE -ICHIGAN THROUGH THE LOCAL WATER UTILITY S WERE PURCHASED BY )LLINOIS RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO THE VILLAGE h9OU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FORTUNATE WE FELT v !NDERSON SAYS .EW SUBDIVISIONS AND MORE TRAFlC MAY NOT STRIKE SOME AS PROGRESS "UT NO ONE 'REAT ,AKES WATER ALSO CERTAINLY WAS THE CAN ARGUE THAT THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ANSWER FOR 0LEASANT 0RAIRIE WITHOUT ,AKE -ICHIGAN WATER 'REAT ,AKES TEMPT A THIRSTY NATION "Y $!. %'!. AND ,%% "%2'15)34 ,AST 5PDATED $EC 3ECOND OF THREE PARTS 3COTT #ITY +AN #HEVROLET DEALER ,ES 3PANGLER LOOKS DOWN THE ROAD AND INTO THE FUTURE OF THIS DRY AND DUSTY FARM TOWN BUILT ON THE NOTION THAT ITS WATER SUPPLY FOR CROPS WOULD NEVER RUN OUT 4HE YEAR OLD FATHER OF TWO DOESNT LIKE WHAT HE SEES h)M REALLY FEARFUL v HE SAYS h7E HAVE A BUNCH OF GUYS ON -AIN 3TREET WHO ARE MY AGE 7HAT HAPPENS IN YEARS WHEN WE RETIRE .ONE OF OUR KIDS ARE COMING BACKv 4HE FARMS AROUND 3COTT #ITY ARE RUNNING OUT OF IRRIGATION WATER THE ELIXIR THAT HELPED TURN THE ROLLING 'REAT 0LAINS FROM $UST "OWL TO 4ALE /F #ITIES "READBASKET DURING THAT LAST HALF OF THE TH CENTURY 7ITH A BODY &ARMER 2OBERT "UERKLE LOOKS OVER HIS DRY FARMLAND JUST OF GROUNDWATER ONCE TOUTED AS EQUAL IN VOLUME TO ,AKE (URON SOUTH OF 3COTT #ITY +AN "UERKLES FARM RAN OUT OF WATER DISAPPEARING FAST IN SOME PLACES AFTER DECADES OF OVER PUMPING ABOUT A DECADE AGO (E WAS ABLE TO DIG A FOOT WELL FOR ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE 0LAINS SUFFER DRINKING WATER BUT HAS NO IRRIGATION FOR HIS CROPS SIMILAR IRRIGATION SHORTAGES THAT COULD CRIPPLE ONE OF THE WORLDS MOST IMPORTANT AGRICULTURE ECONOMIES /VERVIEW 4HIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN 'REAT ,AKES SIZED BODIES OF 0REDICAMENT 4HE AVAILABILITY OF FRESH WATER IS A WATER DONT CANT JUST DISAPPEAR GROWING WORRY ACROSS THE COUNTRY %XAMPLES 3OME FARMERS IN THE 'REAT 0LAINS HAVE "UT A CAUTIONARY TALE FOR THE 'REAT ,AKES DISTANT FUTURE IS UNFOLDING TODAY IN 3COTT #ITY WHICH IS NOW PAYING THE PRICE FOR RUN THEIR WELLS DRY SOME COMMUNITIES IN THE 3UN MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO RAIN AROUND THE CLOCK IN A LAND THAT NORMALLY "ELT KEEP DEVELOPING EVEN AS WATER CONCERNS MOUNT RECEIVES AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT INCHES OF PRECIPITATION A MONTH "OUNTY 4HE 'REAT ,AKES SYSTEM HOLDS NEARLY OF THE WORLDS SURFACE FRESHWATER !ND THE FARMERS OF THE 0LAINS ARE NOT ALONE 7ATER PRESSURES ARE MOUNTING FROM THE ARID 7EST TO THE GREEN VALLEYS OF .EW %NGLAND !TTRACTION 3OME FEAR ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE TO THE BOOMING SOUTHERN METROPOLISES PRESSURE WILL GROW TO TAP THE 'REAT ,AKES TO SOLVE WATER AVAILABILITY PROBLEMS IN OTHER AREAS 'LOBALLY THE 5NITED .ATIONS -ARCH REPORT ON WATER ESTIMATES THAT MINIMALLY BILLION PEOPLE IN COUNTRIES WILL LIVE IN !CTION 4HE GOVERNORS OF THE 'REAT ,AKES STATES AND THE WATER SCARCE CONDITIONS BY THE MIDDLE OF THE CENTURY PREMIERS FROM TWO #ANADIAN PROVINCES ARE DEVELOPING A NEW SET OF RULES TO GOVERN WATER DIVERSIONS 4HE FEAR IS ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL A THIRSTY WORLD COMES 0ERCEPTION 4HE LARGER ISSUE IS THAT THE PUBLIC STILL CALLING ON WHAT WE THINK OF AS hOURv 'REAT ,AKES THE LINKED SYSTEM OF GLACIAL RESERVOIRS THAT HOLD NEARLY OF THE WORLDS SURFACE PERCEIVES THE 'REAT ,AKES AS AN INEXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCE FRESHWATER 4HAT MANY EXPERTS SAY NEEDS TO CHANGE h)F YOU STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE GLOBE THIS IS A UNIQUE RESOURCE v SAYS "RUCE "AKER OF THE 7ISCONSIN $EPARTMENT OF .ATURAL BEEN REMOVED THE TOLL COULD BE DESICCATING FOR A SYSTEM THAT 2ESOURCES h4HERE ARE TREMENDOUS DEMANDS AROUND THE WORLD FOR REPLENISHES ITSELF AT A RATE OF ONLY A YEAR EXPERTS SAY CLEAN FRESH WATER !ND ITS PRETTY OBVIOUS WHERE A LOT OF THAT WATER ISv h)F SOMEBODY PUTS A STRAW IN ,AKE -ICHIGAN AND PULLS OUT A TINY BIT OF WATER IT MAY HAVE NO IMPACT v SAYS -ICHAEL $ONAHUE PRESIDENT 4HE lRST WAVE OF THREATS TO THE LAKES LIKELY WONT COME OF THE !NN !RBOR -ICH BASED 'REAT ,AKES #OMMISSION A GROUP CONVENIENTLY PACKAGED IN HEADLINE GRABBING PROPOSALS 4HERE REPRESENTING THE EIGHT 'REAT ,AKES STATES AND TWO #ANADIAN WONT BE A MASSIVE FEDERAL PROJECT TO PIPE ,AKE 3UPERIOR TO THE PROVINCES THAT DEVELOPS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE LAKES CORNlELDS OF +ANSAS h"UT WITH STRAWS v 4HE lRST PERIL FACING THE LAKES 'REAT ,AKES AUTHORITIES SAY IS THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF LITTLE SEEMINGLY INNOCUOUS DIVERSIONS 7ELL PERHAPS ONE NEED ONLY LOOK AT 3COTT #ITY A DRINKING WATER SYSTEM FOR A CITY OF PEOPLE HERE AN IRRIGATION PROJECT TO GROW FATTER POTATOES THERE $EPTH VARIES (UGE AQUIFER RUNS FROM 4EXAS TO 3OUTH $AKOTA .ONE POSES AN INDIVIDUAL THREAT "UT AS THE DECADES STRETCH IF THE DIVERSION NUMBERS MOUNT WITH NO REQUIREMENTS TO REPLENISH WHATS &ARMERS AROUND 3COTT #ITY PUMPED WITH ABANDON FROM THE UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR CALLED THE /GALLALA !QUIFER IN THE S 7ATER LEVELS IN THE /GALLALA WHICH STRETCHES FROM 4EXAS TO 3OUTH $AKOTA VARY IN DEPTH AND SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE DECADES OR EVEN MORE THAN A CENTURY BEFORE THE WATER RUNS OUT 3COTT #ITY SITS ATOP A SHALLOW PORTION OF THE AQUIFER 7ATER EXPERTS SAY THAT MAKES IT A WINDOW INTO THE 0LAINS FUTURE h4HE AREA AROUND 3COTT #ITY IS BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THE REST OF THE REGION IS GOING TO EXPERIENCE IF WE CONTINUE TO PUMP THE WAY WE DO v SAYS 2EX "UCHANAN OF THE +ANSAS 'EOLOGICAL 3URVEY h)F THEY KEEP GOING AT THE RATE THEY ARE ITS NOT A SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE 3OMETHING HAS TO GIVEv 0OURING )T /N 0HOTO4OM ,YNN 3COTT #ITY WHICH NOW HAS A POPULATION ! SPRINKLER SYSTEM WATERS A FARM NEAR 'ARDEN #ITY +AN !LTHOUGH THE AREA IS JUST OF ABOUT WONT BECOME A GHOST MILES FROM 3COTT #ITY FARMERS STILL GET WATER FROM THE /GALLALA !QUIFER FOR THEIR TOWN 4HERE WONT BE A VIOLENT ECONOMIC CROPS CRASH "UCHANAN SAYS IT WILL BE MORE LIKE A BUMPY LANDING 4HE IRRIGATED CORN WILL BE SWALLOWED UP BY DRYLAND GRAIN FARMS A MUCH LESS LUCRATIVE ENTERPRISE h7E WILL DO WHAT WE HAVE TO v SAYS YEAR OLD FARMER *AY 7IECHMAN WHO STILL HAS SOME WATER LEFT FOR IRRIGATION ON HIS FARM JUST NORTH OF 3COTT #ITY &ARMER 'REG 'RAFF ALREADY IS (E HAS A FOOT IN BOTH WORLDS HALF HIS OPERATION STILL HAS ADEQUATE IRRIGATION TO GROW CORN THE OTHER HALF HAS REVERTED TO DRYLAND FARMING (E SAYS HIS PUMPS USED TO SUCK GALLONS PER MINUTE OUT OF THE GROUND BUT NOW THATS DROPPED TO BETWEEN AND GALLONS A MINUTE )T IS A PACE THAT KEEPS THE SLOW RECHARGING AQUIFER FROM DEPLETING EVEN FURTHER ,IFE ,ESSONS 0HOTO4OM ,YNN h&OR SO MANY YEARS NOBODY THOUGHT ABOUT $ALANA "ILLINGER SECOND FROM RIGHT WORKS WITH YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN STUDENT THIS v HE SAYS OF THE AQUIFER DEPLETION 2OGELIO -AYA AT "UFFALO *ONES 3CHOOL IN 'ARDEN #ITY +AN 4HE MINORITY h(AD WE KNOWN THEN WHAT WE KNOW NOW POPULATION AT "UFFALO *ONES IS GIVING IT A DIVERSITY UNHEARD OF IN NEARBY WE WOULD HAVE MANAGED OUR AQUIFER COMMUNITIES DIFFERENTLYv @S AND @S RAISING RECORD WHEAT CORN 'RAFF IS CONlDENT 3COTT #ITY WILL CARRY AND ALFALFA CROPS AND NEVER ONCE WORRYING h)F YOU RUN OUT OF WATER FOR YOUR CROPS ON (E DOESNT LIKE TO THINK OTHERWISE THAT THEY MIGHT HIT h%v ON THE TANK FUELING THATS ONE THING v HE SAYS RECALLING THE DAY THE ECONOMY ABOUT A DECADE AGO WHEN HIS WELL WENT h9OU HATE TO THINK YOURE GOING TO LOSE YOUR DRY h"UT WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR HOUSE AND TOWN THAT YOULL HAVE TO DRIVE AN HOUR TO "UT TODAY IN A WITHERING DOWNTOWN THAT TURN THE SHOWER ON AND THERE IS NO WATER GET GROCERIES9OU HATE TO THINK THATv NO LONGER HAS A PLACE FOR RESIDENTS TO BUY ITS A SERIOUS SITUATIONv 4XRWDEOH SHOES OR DRESS CLOTHING SOME HAVE LIKENED THE SITUATION TO A CAR RUNNING OUT OF GAS 4ODAY THE YEAR OLD FARMER RELIES ON 7HAT HAPPENS IN YEARS WHEN WE AN FOOT DEEP WELL THAT POKES INTO A RETIRE .ONE OF OUR KIDS ARE COMING #AR DEALER 3PANGLER DOESNT BUY THAT DEEPER BUT SMALLER AQUIFER TO lLL HIS TOILETS BACK ANALOGY SINKS AND BATHTUB )N HIS FARM lELDS OUTSIDE 3COTT #ITY HE DEPENDS SOLELY ON WHAT FALLS /HV6SDQJOHU h)TS A LITTLE MORE FRIGHTENING THAN THAT v HE FROM THE SKY TO RAISE MILO (E FEARS THERE FDUGHDOHURQWKHIXWXUHRI6FRWW SAYS ISNT ENOUGH OF A FUTURE TO LURE HIS CHILDREN &LW\.DQZLWKRXWVXI¿FLHQWZDWHU BACK TO LAND THEIR GREAT GRANDFATHER lRST *UST ASK FARMER +ELLY #RIST TILLED IN 2IPPLE EFFECT !VAILABILITY OF WATER BECOMES KEY TO GROWTH &ORTY MILES DOWN (IGHWAY 'ARDEN #ITY GRADE SCHOOL ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL -ARTHA $ARTER IS EQUALLY CONSUMED BY THE FUTURE "UT SHE WORRIES ABOUT HOW TO SHEPHERD INTO MAINSTREAM !MERICA A BUNCH OF CLASSROOMS PACKED WITH BROWN SKINNED CHILDREN YEARNING TO LEARN %NGLISH 4HEY ARE THE CHILDREN OF THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE mOODED INTO 'ARDEN #ITY DURING THE PAST TWO DECADES FOR JOBS IN THE THRIVING MEATPACKING INDUSTRY 4O (AVE !ND 4O (AVE .OT 4HE FUEL BEHIND THE ECONOMIC BOOM WATER 0HOTO4OM ,YNN 0HOTO4OM ,YNN 'ARDEN #ITY SITS ATOP ONE OF THOSE DEEPER $OWNTOWN 'ARDEN #ITY +AN )N 3COTT #ITY +AN BUSINESS CAN BE REGIONS OF THE /GALLALA !QUIFER BUSTLES WITH LIFE THANKS TO A THRIVING SLOW EVEN AT MIDDAY 7ATER PROBLEMS MEATPACKING INDUSTRY 4HE FUEL JEOPARDIZE THE CITYS ECONOMIC FUTURE h9OU GET AN AMAZING RIPPLE EFFECT BECAUSE BEHIND THE ECONOMIC BOOM WATER OF THE WATER v "UCHANAN SAYS h7ITHOUT WATER YOU DONT HAVE CORN 7ITHOUT CORN YOU DONT HAVE FEEDLOTS !ND WITHOUT FEEDLOTS YOU DONT HAVE MEATPACKING PLANTSv 'ARDEN #ITY HAS ALL OF THAT AND AS A RESULT THE CITY HAS ABOUT DOUBLED IN SIZE IN THE PAST YEARS TO NEARLY RESIDENTS !LONG THE WAY IT HAS EMERGED AS A COMMERCIAL CENTER FOR WESTERN +ANSAS THE PLACE WHERE 'RAFFS FEARS NOTWITHSTANDING PEOPLE FROM PLACES SUCH AS 3COTT #ITY ALREADY COME TO BUY THINGS LIKE BOXER SHORTS SOCKS AND BIG BOXES OF BREAKFAST CEREAL h%VERYBODY WHO LIVES IN THIS PART OF THE STATE UNDERSTANDS THAT WATER IS THE KEY v SAYS 'ARDEN #ITY -ANAGER "OB (ALLORAN .OT ALL THE NEW BLOOD IS (ISPANIC ,OTS OF 0ETER 'LEICK FOUNDER OF THE 0ACIlC 7HEN ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL $ARTER lRST TOOK SOUTHEAST !SIANS HAVE ARRIVED AND FORMER )NSTITUTE AN /AKLAND #ALIF BASED THINK A JOB THERE IN THE EARLY S SHE lGURED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER 2ICHARD 3TRANDMARK TANK ON WATER POLICY ISSUES ESTIMATES THAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND WOULD LAST ONLY A SAYS A TALLY TAKEN SEVERAL YEARS BACK WATER USE IS DOWN ABOUT IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS "UT 'ARDEN #ITY HAS SHOWED THAT LANGUAGES WERE SPOKEN IN TWO DECADES GROWN ON HER BECAUSE THANKS LARGELY TO THE HOMES OF DISTRICT STUDENTS WATER 'ARDEN #ITY HAS GROWN (E ATTRIBUTES THE DECLINE TO THE COUNTRYS 4HIS KEEPS $ARTER BUSY TOO BUSY RIGHT NOW MORE EFlCIENT USE OF WATER #ONSUMER h4HIS WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE A STARTING TO WORRY ABOUT AQUIFERS OR DEPLETION OR THE PRODUCTS SUCH AS LOW mUSH TOILETS DRIVE POINT FOR US v SHE SAYS h7E NEVER THOUGHT LESSONS UP THE ROAD IN 3COTT #ITY DOWN WATER USE 3O DOES DRIP IRRIGATION WE WOULD BE HERE YEARS BUT IT HAS !ND THERE HAS BEEN A SHIFT FROM AN EVERYTHING YOU NEEDv h7E DONT HAVE ANY WORRIES ABOUT WATER INDUSTRIAL TO A SERVICE ECONOMY RIGHT NOW v SHE SAYS /UTSIDE HER OFlCE AND ACROSS THE HALL 4HE PROBLEM IS THAT IN SOME PARTS OF PRESCHOOL AGED KIDS SCRAMBLE ABOUT THE 7ATER PRESSURE THE COUNTRY DEMAND HAS SKYROCKETED GYM AS A TEACHER SPEAKING 3PANISH TRIES )N SOME PARTS OF COUNTRY DEMAND HAS h"IG CITIES CONTINUE TO GROW AND AS THE TO EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT BEHIND MUSICAL SKYROCKETED POPULATION GROWS THE AMOUNT OF WATER WE CHAIRS -ORE THAN OF THE KIDS AT $RIVE THROUGH BUSTLING 'ARDEN #ITY OR THINK WE WANT TO USE GOES UP v 'LEICK SAYS THIS SCHOOL DONT SPEAK %NGLISH AS THEIR WALK ACROSS A DRY lELD ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF lRST LANGUAGE #ITY MANAGER (ALLORAN SAYS 3COTT #ITY OR VISIT ANY PLACE WHERE WATER (IS POINT IS REINFORCED IN VIRTUALLY EVERY MINORITIES ARE ACTUALLY THE MAJORITY IN THE SUPPLIES ARE DEAR AND ITS STARTLING TO LEARN REGION OF THE COUNTRY CITYS SCHOOL DISTRICT HARD TO FATHOM FOR A THIS FACT 7ATER USE IN THE 5NITED 3TATES CITY THAT HAD A MINORITY POPULATION OF ABOUT HAS BEEN FALLING SINCE )N NORTHEASTERN -ASSACHUSETTS PORTIONS WHEN HE WAS A KID OF THE )PSWICH 2IVER HAVE LITERALLY BEEN %\7KH1XPEHUV LQFKHV $PRXQWRIUDLQD\HDULQ/DV9HJDVWKH IDVWHVWJURZLQJPHWURSROLWDQDUHDLQ WKH8QLWHG6WDWHV SPENT MILLION JUST TO WATER THE GRASS $EMAND FOR WATER IN METROPOLITAN ,AS 6EGAS JUMPED BETWEEN AND AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF ABATING ACCORDING TO 3OUTHERN .EVADA 7ATER !UTHORITY 7ATER (AZARD 0HOTO4OM ,YNN $IFFERENT VERSIONS OF ,AS 6EGAS STORY 3URROUNDED BY DESERT A GOLF COURSE IN THE ,AKE ,AS 6EGAS COMMUNITY GETS WATERED CAN BE SEEN IN 4UCSON 0HOENIX ,OS TO KEEP THE FAIRWAYS LUSH AND GREEN &OR THE lRST TIME WATERING RESTRICTIONS !NGELES AND 3AN $IEGO 4HEY ARE ALL BIG HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE REGIONS GOLF COURSES BECAUSE OF CONCERN OVER THE GROWING CITIES IN THE 3UN "ELT 4HE BIGGEST AVAILABILITY OF WATER DIFFERENCE IS THAT ,AS 6EGAS IS GROWING THE FASTEST PUMPED DRY SOME SUMMERS BY WORRIED ABOUT ENTREPRENEURS PROlTING OFF OF COMMUNITIES THAT USE THE RIVER AS THEIR WATER SALES !LMOST NINE OUT OF EVERY GALLONS OF ,AS WATER SUPPLY 4HE BIGGEST CULPRIT MILLION 6EGAS WATER IS FROM THE #OLORADO 2IVER GALLONS A DAY USED TO WATER LAWNS 4HE h4HERE IS NO REAL PROTECTION v SAYS +EN AND LIES IN STORAGE BEHIND THE (OOVER $AM )PSWICH SUPPLIES WATER TO PEOPLE +RAMER STATE DIRECTOR OF THE 3IERRA #LUB IN IN THE DEEP BLUE WATERS OF ,AKE -EAD AND THE POPULATION IS GROWING 4EXAS h7HAT WE REALLY NEED IS A SYSTEM THAT IDENTIlES HOW MUCH WATER PEOPLE ARE "UT ,AKE -EAD FED BY THE 2OCKY -OUNTAIN )N 4AMPA IT RAINS A LOT ABOUT INCHES ENTITLED TO AND WHATS SUSTAINABLEv SNOWPACK IS SHRINKING AND IS AT ITS LOWEST A YEAR SOME INCHES MORE THAN IN POINT IN YEARS DUE TO FOUR STRAIGHT YEARS -ILWAUKEE "UT GROWING DEMAND FROM BOTH 2OLLING THE DICE OF DROUGHT &OR THE lRST TIME HOMEOWNERS HOMEOWNERS AND AGRICULTURE IS PRESSING ,AS 6EGAS GAMBLES THAT IT WONT RUN DRY WERE TOLD THIS YEAR WHICH DAYS THEY COULD SUPPLIES AND RESIDENTS CAN FACE UP TO +EN +RAMER MEET ,AS 6EGAS WATER THEIR LAWNS !T THE SAME TIME RATES lNES FOR WATERING THEIR LAWNS MORE FOR A MEDIAN SINGLE FAMILY HOME WILL RISE THAN ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK 4HE WATER UTILITY "EYOND THE GLITTER OF THE FAMOUS STRIP BY 4HE WATER AUTHORITY HAS BEEFED HAS BEEN FORCED TO BUILD A MILLION AND PAST THE DUSTY TRACTS OF ,AS 6EGAS UP ENFORCEMENT AND HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED DESALINIZATION PLANT AND A MILLION NON STOP SPRAWL THE -OJAVE DESERT IS THE THE NUMBER OF lNES ON THOSE WHO VIOLATE RESERVOIR IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION CLOSEST PLACE TO A MOONSCAPE ON EARTH WATERING RESTRICTIONS )N !TLANTA THE REGIONS POPULATION IS )T SEEMS INCONGRUOUS THAT PEOPLE COULD 2ESTRICTIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN IMPOSED ON PROJECTED TO DOUBLE BY BUT AN LIVE HERE ,AS 6EGAS GETS ONLY FOUR INCHES THE REGIONS GOLF COURSES THIS YEAR ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY MAY NOT BE THERE OF RAIN A YEAR )TS ONLY A FEW HOURS AWAY 'EORGIA &LORIDA AND !LABAMA ARE lGHTING FROM $EATH 6ALLEY !ND ITS LONG TERM WATER 4HATS BEEN ESPECIALLY HARD FOR THE THREE OVER RIGHTS TO A CRITICAL RIVER SYSTEM AND PICTURE IS CLOUDY HOLE COURSES AT 3UN #ITY 3UMMERLIN THE ISSUE MAY BE HEADED TO THE 53 #OMMUNITY !SSOCIATION 4HE HOME 3UPREME #OURT 3TILL THE POPULATION HAS ALMOST DOUBLED TO COMMUNITY LOOKS OUT ON A VERDANT EXPANSE MILLION SINCE -ORE THAN THAT SAVE FOR THE BARREN MOUNTAINS THAT 3OME ENTREPRENEURS ARE mOATING DEALS PEOPLE MOVE TO ,AS 6EGAS EVERY MONTH RING THE CITY COULD HAVE BEEN PLUCKED FROM TO SUPPLY WATER TO AND PROlT OFF OF THIRSTY AND NEW HOMES WERE BUILT IN THE THE MIDDLE OF 7ISCONSIN TOWNS /IL TYCOON 4 "OONE 0ICKENS HAS METROPOLITAN AREA LAST YEAR 4HE SPRAWLING SPARKED CONTROVERSY WITH A PLAN TO PIPE ,AS 6EGAS 3CHOOL $ISTRICT OPENED THE YEAR 4HE COURSES WERE BUILT IN THE S WATER HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM NORTH 4EXAS WITH NEW SCHOOLS ,AST YEAR SCHOOLS hBEFORE ANYONE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT TO CITIES SUCH AS $ALLAS AND 3AN !NTONIO WATER v SAYS 0* -C'UIRE TURF MANAGER FOR 0ICKENS HAS A PERMIT AND THE GREEN LIGHT 1UOTABLE COURSES .EWER COURSES ARE A MIX OF GRASS TO TAP WATER BENEATH ACRES AND DESERT BUT 3UN #ITY 3UMMERLIN IS 4HE 'REAT ,AKES ARE FOR ALL INTENTS ENTIRELY GRASS $ESPITE WORRIES THAT THE PROJECT COULD AND PURPOSES A NON RENEWABLE ENDANGER SUPPLIES IN THAT PART OF THE @-ANIAC SPEED RESOURCE ! ONE TIME GIFT /GALLALA !QUIFER HIS PLANS CALL FOR A .O ONE HAS SLAMMED BRAKES ON REDUCTION OF WATER LEVELS IN THE AREA OVER DEVELOPMENT #AMERON $AVIS YEARS ACCORDING TO THE 0ANHANDLE 7ITH ITS FAMOUS FOUNTAINS THAT SWAY LIKE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ,AKE -ICHIGAN 'ROUNDWATER #ONSERVATION $ISTRICT DANCERS AND SHOOT INTO THE NIGHT AIR LIKE &EDERATION BEAMS OF LIGHT THE "ELLAGIO HOTEL IS HELD UP 4HE BILLION PLAN HAS CONSERVATIONISTS AS AN EXAMPLE OF ,AS 6EGAS OVER THE TOP EXCESS "UT IN FACT THE STRIP AND THE REST OF THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY REPRESENT ONLY OF THE LOCAL WATER USE ACCORDING TO THE 3OUTHERN .EVADA 7ATER !UTHORITY -OST OF THE WATER USE COMES FROM HOMEOWNERS !ND LOCAL OFlCIALS SAY THE BIGGEST PROBLEM ARE THOSE WHO CANT GIVE UP THEIR LAWNS 3OUTHERN .EVADA USES GALLONS A DAY PER PERSON ACCORDING TO THE AUTHORITY "Y COMPARISON RESIDENTS OF 0HOENIX USE GALLONS A DAY AND THOSE IN !LBUQUERQUE USE GALLONS &OR COMPARISON -ILWAUKEE USES GALLONS PER DAY h%ASTERNERS WHO MOVE TO THE CITY OF 0HOENIX EMBRACE LIVING IN THE DESERT v SAYS 0AT -ULROY GENERAL MANAGER OF THE 0UTTING $OWN 2OOTS AUTHORITY h4HEY PUT DESERT LANDSCAPING IN THEIR FRONT YARD !N %AST #OAST INDIVIDUAL 0HOTO4OM ,YNN WHO MOVES TO ,AS 6EGAS DElES LIVING IN 4HE SUBURB OF (ENDERSON IS PART OF THE URBAN SPRAWL SURROUNDING ,AS 6EGAS THE DESERTv -ORE THAN PEOPLE MOVE TO THE AREA EVERY MONTH AND MANY OF THEM INSIST ON HAVING YARDS WITH TREES AND SHRUBS 4HE .EVADA 3ENIORS #OALITION SAYS LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SUCH AS THE WATER AUTHORITY HAVE IGNORED THE CRISIS 4HE GROUPS BIGGEST COMPLAINT .O ONE HAS SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON DEVELOPMENT AND LOCKED UP WATER SUPPLIES TO MEET FUTURE DEMAND h7E CANT GROW AT THIS MANIAC SPEED BUT NOBODY WILL TALK ABOUT IT ANYMORE v SAYS +EN -AHAL PRESIDENT OF THE GROUP AND A RETIRED -INNEAPOLIS ARCHITECT 4HOSE WHO WANT TO SLOW ,AS 6EGAS GROWTH SAY THE WATER AUTHORITY COULD STOP PROVIDING WATER TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS "UT -ULROY REJECTS SUCH THINKING )TS NOT WATER SHE SAYS 7ITH MOST LAND IN .EVADA 0HOTO4OM ,YNN OWNED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT -ULROY ,AKE -EAD WATER LEVELS ARE CLEARLY DOWN AS THE WATER HAS CALCIlED ALONG THE SAYS THE FEDERAL POLICY THAT OPENS PUBLIC ROCKS &ROM THE WATERS EDGE AT THE ,AKE -EAD -ARINA THE WATER LEVELS ARE LAND TO DEVELOPMENT PLAYS A BIGGER ROLE VISIBLY LOW THAN WATER ,EGAL ACTION hWATER EXPORTS v AND IT HIT A HIGH NOTE lVE 4HE WATER AUTHORITY IS TRYING TO lND MORE 'OVERNORS WORK ON RULES TO MANAGE 'REAT YEARS AGO IN THE WAKE OF A #ANADIAN lRMS WATER BECAUSE THE #OLORADO 2IVER ALONE ,AKES 5NIVERSITY OF !RIZONA LAW PROFESSOR PROPOSAL TO LOAD UP A TANKER WITH ,AKE WONT MEET FUTURE NEEDS AND GROUNDWATER EXPERT 2OBERT 'LENNON 3UPERIOR WATER AND SHIP IT TO !SIA HAS A STOCK JOKE HE WHIPS OUT EVERY TIME h7ILL IT BE A CHALLENGE 9ESv SHE SAYS HE VENTURES FROM 4UCSON TO THIS WATER RICH 4HE PUBLIC WAS OUTRAGED EVEN THOUGH h4HERE WILL ALWAYS BE A BALANCING ACT PART OF THE COUNTRY THE 'REAT ,AKES REMAIN A NET IMPORTER OF BETWEEN MANAGING THE DEMAND SIDE AND WATER THANKS TO #ANADAS TWO HUGE RIVER MANAGING THE SUPPLY SIDE h) SAY THE IDEA OF DRAINING ALL THE 'REAT DIVERSIONS INTO ,AKE 3UPERIOR 4HE /NTARIO ,AKES IS JUST ABSURD v HE SAYS 0ROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT QUICKLY RESCINDED h7ILL WE BE SPENDING MORE FOR WATER 9ES THE APPROVAL OF THE TANKER PLAN AND 7ILL THAT CHANGE THE WAY WE GROW AND HOW h7ED BE HAPPY TO HAVE JUST ONE SAY LEADERS IN THE 53 AND #ANADA VOWED TO WE SEE OURSELVES AS A COMMUNITY 9ES 3UPERIORv STEP UP PROTECTIONS FOR THE LAKES !ND WILL IT EVOLVE OVER TIME 9ESv 4HE JOKE DOESNT ALWAYS GET A LOT OF LAUGHS &IVE YEARS LATER THE PREMIERS FROM TWO 4HERE IS INDEED A CERTAIN ANXIETY INHERENT #ANADIAN PROVINCES ARE STILL WORKING WITH IN LINKING THE WORDS h'REAT ,AKESv AND THE GOVERNORS OF THE 'REAT ,AKES STATES