COLUMBUS, OH - Opportunities for the public to comment on proposed agreements to manage and protect waters of the Great Lakes basin will end on October 18. Since mid-July, governors of the eight Great Lakes states and the premiers of Ontario and Quebec have sought public input on draft provisions to implement Annex 2001, a supplementary agreement to the Great Lakes Charter.
Prior to the October 18 deadline, written comments may be submitted to Annex Comments, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, 2045 Morse Road, Columbus, OH 43229 or by e-mail to annexcomments@dnr.state.oh.us.
The draft implementing agreements are the result of three years of effort by a state/provincial working group to address Great Lakes basin protection issues ranging from water consumption to diversion. During a 90-day public review period that ends October 18, the draft agreements are available for the public and all interested groups to read and make comments. Documents are available on the Internet at www.ohiodnr.com and www.cglg.org.
Over the past three months, public meetings were held throughout the Great Lakes region to explain the agreements and receive public comment. These included eight meetings in Ohio. After public comments have been taken into account, the agreements will be refined and presented to the governors and premiers for their final approval and signature.