Transcript Sustaining the Waterbelt of North America

Sustaining the
Waters of
North America
Todd Ambs
President, River Network
October 18, 2010
Wisconsin Water Resources
 15,000
lakes
 84,000 miles of rivers

5.3 million acres of
wetlands
 1,000 miles of great lakes
shoreline
 Groundwater resources–
100 feet deep
We have a responsibility to
future generations
“The ultimate test of a
persons conscience may
be the willingness to
sacrifice something
today for future
generations whose
words of thanks will
never be heard.”
Gaylord Nelson
A Watershed Time for Great
Lake’s Waters
Great Lakes

20% of world fresh surface
water

National and international
resource

Critical resource for
economy, recreation and
environment

Vast region of
interconnected fresh surface
water

8 Great Lakes States and 2
Provinces
Agreement Significance
Ten jurisdictions across international
boundaries agreeing to manage largest surface
freshwater resource in the world collectively.
First multi-jurisdictional agreement of this
magnitude in the world.
Compact Fundamentals

Monitoring and reporting
 Water conservation
 Management of in basin
water use



Withdrawal
Consumptive Use
Prohibition on diversions

Straddling community/county
exceptions
Water Conservation

Tiered program with
increasing
requirements



Voluntary to greatest
rigor
Out of basin, in basin,
straddling
community/county,
large water losses
Details in rulemaking
Diversions

Applications must be
consistent with water
supply service area
plan
 Meet decision making
standard
 Straddling community
and county requests
likely coming
Watershed Approach
The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary
of the environment.
Gaylord Nelson
Eighty percent
of life is
showing up.
Woody Allen