Contact your elected officials
    Let them know you want fresh water
    to be a priority

  • Ask your US Senators and US House of Representative to support the Great Lakes restoration bills introduced
    the week of March 5th, 2007.  The legislation is bipartisan and based on the comprehensive plan created by
    the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.   It needs to be passed and funded in 2007!

  • If you live in one of the eight states bordering the Great Lakes, contact your elected officials and ask for their
    support in passing the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact.  Look for more information in my December
    10, 2007 column "Protect State's Heart and Soul" and the March 12th column in The Holland Sentinel titled
    "More Precious Than Gold."

  • If you live in the state of Michigan, contact your state representative and ask that  Concentrated Animal Feeding
    Operations be held to higher standards, protecting our land and water from excess disposal of animal waste.  
    See July column "Who Lobbies for Our Health?" for more information.

  • To learn more, log on to the Healing Our Waters Collaboration website at
To learn more see Fresh Water, Healthy Lives Home Page
Copyright 2006 Mary E. McKinney Schmidt
Fresh Water-Healthy Lives
Engaging Everyone in Preventing a Great Lakes Crisis
    Not Sure What to Say?
    Make copies of the articles that reflect your own opinions.  Send the articles with a hand-written note to
    your elected officials at the state and local level.  If we insist the fresh waters of the Great Lakes be made
    a priority, it will happen.  In the United States, the government is "of the people, by the people and for the
    people."  We have a responsibility to make our voices heard!
    In addition, the Healing Our Waters Collaboration has created letters you can mail or email directly to your
    representatives in Congress.  Click on
    http:www.HealthyLakes.org.
Miles of beautiful beaches, Michigan
Cleaning up the Great Lakes

  • While at the beach, pick up the trash rather than stepping over it.
  • Do not litter or throw cigarette butts on beach or toss things overboard when
    boating.
  • Teach children and grandchildren to respect Michigan's natural resources.
  • Do not go to the bathroom in the lake.
  • If you own a septic system, get it inspected every three years.
  • Do not flush pharmaceuticals down the toilet.
  • Allow nothing but water to flow into storm drains.
  • Do not use fertilizers with phosphorous.
  • Do not use dishwasher or laundry detergent with phosphorous.
  • Wash cars on the grass rather than the driveway.
  • Learn the implications of continued development of farmlands in the community.
  • Plant vegetation native to the region that requires little watering.
  • Plant rain gutter gardens.
  • Consider making tax-free donations to organizations that focus on preserving
    wetlands, forests and other areas critical to our ecosystem.

Protecting the Great Lakes
  • Do not allow outdoor sprinklers to operate during/after rainstorms.
  • Do not brush your teeth with the water running.
  • Turn off the water while you shave.
  • Take reasonable length showers.
  • Plant vegetation that does not require extensive watering.
  • Pour unused drinking water on plants rather than down the drain.
  • Recognize the implications of purchasing bottled water.
Sunrise over the dunes
Sunset over the Macatawa Harbor entrance
    Get informed, inspired,
    engaged.  These lakes are the
    economic backbone of our
    communities. They provide the
    drinking water for 42 million
    people and are integral to our
    quality of life.  It is up to us to
    protect them so our children
    and grandchildren will enjoy the
    magic of Great Lakes waters.