The PA Environmental Council Wednesday submitted comments to the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council and Regional Body urging them to adopt procedures to make their decision making process for water transfers more transparent.

"PEC was heavily engaged in the adoption of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact in Pennsylvania, and remains committed to its success.

"We support and commend the Great Lake - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resource Regional Body and the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council’s collaborative effort to review and update their decision-making procedures for future proposals to divert Great Lake Basin water."

PEC recommended six general areas of change--

-- A member of the public or public interest organization should not have to bear the administrative cost to appeal a decision made by the Regional Body/Compact Council. Currently the rules explain that an appellant is to share the cost of the appeal, except when the Compact Council waives those fees.

-- The public should have access to a comprehensive record of the decision-making process, and the reasons why the decisions were made.

-- During the review of a diversion request by the Compact Council and Regional Body, a public hearing should be held by each state and province to provide for thorough public participation within the basin. Each hearing, along with all comments made, should be recorded and sent to the Regional Body and Compact Council for consideration.

-- Before the Originating Party and the Compact Council and Regional Body votes on a modified draft declaration of findings, the public should have an opportunity to provide comments.

-- All comments made by the public should be part of the Regional Body and Compact Council administrative record.

-- The procedures should provide a reasonable time for each jurisdiction to review an application before the state/province where the diversion is proposed submits a formal application for Regional Review. This would allow more time to find potential issues and a more cost-effective outcome.

Click Here for a copy of PEC's recommendations.

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(Photo: Presque Isle, Erie.)

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