Water Diversion
Loss of water is certainly a matter of concern for those of us who have interests in our rivers. Water can be lost in a variety of ways…all plants undergo transpiration, there is normal evaporation, it can leave in potatoes or apples, in processed foods such as Gerber or Yoplait, in watering golf courses, and flowing out our rivers to leave the state via the Detroit River. It goes under a variety of terms such as diversion, withdrawal, extraction, or mining. But the latest and most controversial removal is bottled water.
In 2006 Nestle’s Ice Mountain division bought Perrier Water, who had been test drilling, and announced plans for a plant to bottle water. Originally two sources were to be used: The Sanctuary Game Farm near Stanwood and Evart’s municipal system, both in the Muskegon River watershed. Rumors claimed the Pere Marquette and White river watersheds were being tested, but the company looked elsewhere when informed of our Blue Ribbon fishery status.
In 2002 the governor appointed the Groundwater Conservation Advisory Committee which extensively studied the diversion issue and issued its report in 2008. Two major points were addressed: The volume of withdrawal to be permitted before an “adverse resource impact” (ARI) limit is reached, and the total volume acceptable under the international “Compact” restricting diversion from the Great Lakes. Of importance to PMWC are the ARI limits, as they will directly affect stream flow volumes. The Advisory Committee developed a matrix based upon river size (streams, small and large rivers) and water temperature (cold, transitional, cool, and warm). They then can calculate the proportional effect of water withdrawal on thriving fish populations. Cold small streams are better able to withstand significant reductions in water flow before showing an effect (ARI). MDEQ permits are then based upon the limits in the ARI matrix. Permits are required for withdrawals of more than one million gallons per day. For small cold streams, the limit is 3% decline in thriving fish populations or a 21% reduction in low flow rate. For small cold rivers, the limit is a 1% decline in fish abundance or a 20% reduction in low flow rate. Almost all of the PM is in these two categories.
We continue to monitor this issue and are aware of only one test well within our watershed. The Council is on record that there should be no withdrawal from any state-designated Natural river. (see PMWC WHERE WE STAND – Official Positions)