Letters to the Editor
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That water isn't just yours
I'm from Canada, specifically Ontario, more specifically Hamilton, on the shores of Lake Ontario. As McClelland says, there are agreements in place among the stage governments of the states on the Great Lakes that prevent the export of water from the Great Lakes basin. I am quite grateful for that, but what hasn't been mentioned as much is that these agreements are also international, including the provincial government of Ontario and the Canadian federal government. And let me tell you, on this one we're completely in agreement with our state colleagues. The entire local economy and natural environment depend on the Great Lakes staying as they are. If Americans want to flee the winters to go live in the desert that's their problem, but the water they covet doesn't just belong to the United States.
It's not like that water isn't being exported at all; it goes into bottled water that goes all over the continent, sidestepping the international treaties that demand that Great Lakes water cannot leave the Great Lakes Basin.
To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if you enjoy the acquiescence of the Canadian federal government soon. The next election will probably see a Conservative majority, and Stephen Harper is quite reliable in kissing whatever @$$ the White House demands.
Here's hoping the local state governments remain as hardheaded as they have been for a long time to come!