| Fresh Water-Healthy Lives Engaging Everyone in Preventing a Great Lakes Crisis |
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To Learn More See Published Articles Continued Copyright 2006 Mary E. McKinney Schmidt |
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February 11th, 2008 Lakes' Future Depends on Will of the People White foam spilled over the waves as they crashed against the shore. As I jogged the misty light of early morning, winter winds hurled snow against my face, stinging my cheeks and freezing my eyelashes. My mind churning, I barely noticed. I was reflecting on the single greatest obstacle that continues to derail bipartisan efforts to pass legislation designed to clean-up and protect the Great Lakes. What is missing, I am told repeatedly, is the political will of the people. Until three years ago, I would not have given this much thought. Like many in the baby boom generation, I pushed political involvement to the background as I worked my way up the corporate ladder. Consumed by a demanding job, I had enough difficulties balancing my role as a wife, daughter, sister, friend and corporate executive without adding the pressures of political participation. Besides, I always assumed my tax dollars were paying salaries to those who would realize the importance of protecting our drinking water, our quality of life and a resource that provides the economic backbone for our community. But as Mark Twain said, “common sense is not common.” Unless we pick up the phone and ask our elected officials what they are doing to clean up Lake Michigan, to prevent it from being diverted outside our region, nothing will happen. There are too many other priorities. History suggests the threat of a crisis usually sparks political involvement. When the Coast Guard announced plans to use live ammunition in training exercise on the Great Lakes, thousands signed petitions, attended hearings and phoned elected officials. The Coast Guard reversed its decision. Similarly, because of public outcry, BP found ways to expand its oil refinery in northern Indiana without discharging higher levels of metals and ammonia into Lake Michigan. We can make a difference. But the longer we wait to address the issues facing the Great Lakes, the more expensive the solutions. And at some point, the damage will be irreversible. Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said “To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected.” Both hold true for our generation. We have a responsibility to clean up the damage we have done for decades—some knowingly, some in innocence. We need to stop polluting the groundwater, streams, and rivers flowing into the lakes. We need to protect the wetlands, the dunes and the natural habitat that ensure a healthy ecosystem. We need to start conserving our water. History will judge our generation. Our legacy will be shameful unless we make our waters a priority. This will be my last column for The Sentinel. To the scientists, environmentalists, religious leaders, government employees, teachers, fishermen, and people from all walks of life who have shared their stories with me, I say thank you. You have given me hope. And hope is the first step to creating the political will of the people. The second step is getting involved. It means phoning those we elected and asking what they’ve done for our waters lately. Admittedly, political involvement is a new phenomenal for me. But something happened when I moved to Holland and began jogging to the rhythm of Lake Michigan waters. Something stirred deep within my soul. These waters are home. And home is worth fighting for. It is worth protecting. |
| Lake Michigan...every day a different experience...every day a reminder of the miracles of life... |
| Daylight slowly rises above the dunes, slicing through the grey of winter. |
| Big Red lights the skies, waiting for the sun to replace its beacon of hope. |