Wise water use and conservation must become as commonplace as recycling. Citizens have rights to participate in decisions concerning water use and management, and must be afforded access to government processes. Once this conservation ethic is developed and implemented it is highly unlikely that any proposals for diversion or export would ever be approved. Until then, Great Lakes leaders must uphold the moratorium against any new or increased diversions or exports as recommended by the International Joint Commission. The Canadian government has just introduced legislation to protect the Great Lakes from diversions by prohibiting bulk water removals from all Canadian water basins.
Similar legislation is needed in the United States.
At the same time, trade rules must be reformed so they do not diminish the environmental protections that nations have provided for their citizens and their natural resources. The issue of deference by the WTO to the use of trade measures for conservation purposes needs immediate attention. It is essential that all governmental and non-governmental stakeholders work towards the development of a comprehensive conservation ethic that recognizes our nation's trade commitments. With appropriate added flexibility and clarification, this can serve to encourage, rather than hinder sustainable use of the precious water resources of the Great Lakes Basin. Trade rules must be crafted so they do not diminish the environmental protections that nations have provided for their citizens and resources.