Hon. FRANCIS A. PITKIN, STATE OF NEW YORK, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Albany, November 19, 1965.. Chairman, Great Lakes Commission, Ann Arbor, Mich. DEAR MR. PITKIN: Thank you for your letter of November 12 regarding the proposal for the establishment of a Federal River Basin Commission for the Great Lakes. I look forward to receiving the report of the Great Lakes Commission after its annual meeting, on its views with regard to the establishment of such a commission. With best wishes, NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER, Governor.. STATE OF NEW YORK, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Albany, December 15, 1965. Mr. EDGAR D. WHITCOMB, Chairman, Great Lakes Commission, DEAR MR. WHITCOMB: Thank for your letter of December eighth providing me with the conclusions and recommendations of the Great Lakes Commission con-cerning the creation of a Great Lakes River Basin Commission under PL 89-80. I appreciate having the Commission's recommendation that I support the establishment of such a Title II Commission, and have written Secretary Udall endorsing the proposal, with the reservation that only those drainages which reach the St. Lawrence River outside the United States not be included. Your helpful concern is welcome. NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER, Governor. STATE OF NEW YORK, CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT, Albany, December 28, 1965. Hon. NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER, State Capitol, Albany, N.Y. DEAR GOVERNOR ROCKEFELLER: The Great Lakes Commission held its annual meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, November 28-30, 1965. As outlined in the letter sent: to you dated November 12, 1965, the Commission at its annual meeting discussed the matter of the formulation of a Great Lakes river basin commission, and, in a subsequent letter to you dated December 8, 1965, our Chairman, Mr. Edgar D.. Whitcomb, furnished the results of our considerations and a recommendation that, from a technical and planning point of view, you support the establishment: of a river basin commission under the provisions of Public Law 89-80. The Great Lakes Commission and I, as Chairman of our state delegation to the Commission, are optimistically hopeful that the federal basin commission, when established, will be especially helpful in coordinating the planning activities of the several federal agencies operating in the Great Lakes Basin, and will afford the states affected with a real voice in planning the conservation and prudent use of the water resources of the basin. As Mr. Whitcomb stated in his letter of December 8, the Great Lakes Commission will assist the new federal basin commission wherever possible. We of the Commission believe that on the basis of the broad scope of our Compact we should continue our advisory and research services to the states; that the knowl-edge and experience of our ten years of service to the region will be most beneficial to the federal planning commission; and that there is a definite need to assure the fullest possible participation by members of the Great Lakes Commission in the new commission. To this end, may I suggest that you consider appointment of a member of our state's delegation to the Great Lakes Commission as the state representative on the federal commission? I believe such appointment would be most beneficial to. our state and would do much to further the continuity and productive work of the Great Lakes Commission. I shall be thoroughly gratified for your consideration. DEAR COLONEL GOODSELL: The Great Lakes Basin Compact and its operating entity, the Great Lakes Commission, have been in existence and operating for more than a decade. It has served the states well. The State of Ohio is the newest member of the Great Lakes Commission. We joined the Commission after witnessing the good work it was doing in a regional approach to water resouce management. Also, it was our hope that, by making the circle of states complete, the Commission might readily receive the consent of Congress. Senate Bill 2922 sponsored by fourteen senators of the Great Lakes Basin states, and House Resolutions 937, 12294 and five other House Resolutions identical to H.R. 12294 have been introduced in the Congress. All of these bills would grant the consent of Congress to the Great Lakes Basin Compact. Recently I joined other governors in the Great Lakes states in a request for the establishment of a river basin commission under Title II, Public Law 89-80, The Water Resources Planning Act, which will concern itself with the planning of water resources use and development. It is my belief that the river basin commission will be effective in coordinating the federal agencies in their planning in the Great Lakes Basin and will permit the states and the Great Lakes Commission to have a bonafide seat at the planning conference table. The Great Lakes Commission can complement and implement the work of the planning commission. The fine work already started in the Great Lakes Basin must move forward. Therefore, I am in full accord with your present efforts to obtain the consent of • Congress for the Great Lakes Basin Compact. Sincerely yours, JAMES A. RHODES, Governor. COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, Mr. EDGAR D. WHITCOMB, Chairman, Great Lakes Commission, DEAR MR. WHITCOMB: Governor Scranton has asked me to thank you for your letter of December 8, 1965, outlining the conclusions reached at the November 30th meeting of the Great Lakes Commission with regard to the establishment of a river basin planning commission under the provisions of P.L. 89-80. As noted in my reply of December 6th to Mr. Pitkin, the Governor has already given his support to the proposal. We, too, feel that the two commissions must work closely if a workable plan for the regulation and development of the basin's water resources is to be achieved. DEAR MR. WHITCOMB: Thank you for your letter outlining the conclusions reached at the annual meeting of the Great Lakes Commission in regard to the formulation of the basin commission. I am confident the Great Lakes Commission will be of great assistance in the formation of the new commission, and I will look forward to receiving your very knowledgeable comments whenever you deem it appropriate. Sincerely, WARREN P. KNOWLES, Governor. ; THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Madison, September 15, 1966. Mr. EDGAR D. WHITCOMB, Chairman, Great Lakes Commission, Ann Arbor, Mich. DEAR MR. WHITCOMB: Senate Bill 2922 sponsored by fourteen senators of the Great Lakes Basin states, and House Resolutions 937 and 12294, and five other H.R.'s identical to H.R. 12294, have been introduced in the Congress. All of these bills would grant Congressional consent to the Great Lakes Basin Compact. Wisconsin, as one of the original parties to the Great Lakes Basin Compact, has participated in the important work of the Great Lakes Commission for more than a decade. In that time we have, like the seven other Lake States who are parties to the Compact, reaped many benefits from the work of the Commission in studying, advising and recommending on matters concerning the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin. The Great Lakes Commission has served the region and the individual states well in looking after water resource matters. The purposes of the Compact are broad in scope, embracing all uses of water and related land use; and the Commission has concerned itself and has been instrumental in bringing about many key actions which contribute to the overall well-being of the region and its vital water resources. The Commission is wholly state supported and represents a pioneer effort in the regional approach to water use and planning. Recently I became a party to a request for the establishment of a river basin commission under Title II, Public Law 89-80, The Water Resources Planning Act, which will concern itself with the planning of water resources use and development. It is my belief that the river basin commission to be established under that Act, will be effective in coordinating the federal agencies in their planning in the Great Lakes Basin, and will work to permit the states and the Great Lakes Commission to have a bonafide seat at the planning conference table. For follow-up actions, the Great Lakes Commission will operate to complement and implement the work of the river basin planning commission. Please be assured that I am in full accord with your present efforts to obtain the consent of Congress for the Great Lakes Basin Compact, and wish you the fullest measure of success in your very important work. Sincerely, WARREN P. KNOWLES, Governor. THE GREAT LAKES COMMISSION COMMISSION BACKGROUND The wisdom and foresight of the leaders and people of the Great Lakes states were manifestly evidenced when in 1955 the Great Lakes Basin Compact was made effective. Along with the increasing importance of the Great Lakes to the region and the nation came the realization of the need for an interstate agreement for utilization and conservation of the waters of the Great Lakes. The movement to meet this need developed and progressed through a series of interstate conferences sponsored by the Council of State Governments, and culminated in a resolution unanimously adopted by representatives of the eight Great Lakes states to establish the Great Lakes Basin Compact. Through their legislatures, the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin ratified the Compact in 1955. Subsequently, similar action was taken by Pennsylvania (1956), New York (1960), and Ohio (1963). In ratifying the Compact, the states designated the Great Lakes Commission as their joint research and advisory agency on Great Lakes water resources development, programs and problems. The Commission is composed of from three to five representatives from each member state, selected in accordance with the provisions in the respective states enabling legislation to the Compact, and each state has three votes. An executive committee, comprised of the Commission's chairman and vice-chairman and one representative from each member state, exercises general supervision over the Commission program and activities between meeting times and serves in an advisory capacity to the chairman. To add further expertise, the states have appointed advisors with technical backgrounds to serve on the several standing committees of the Commission. The program of the Commission is carried out through its two regular meetings. held each year, the work of five standing committees, special committees and meetings as needed and staff activities at the Ann Arbor office of the Commission. Special programs concerning various Great Lakes water resource problems and developments are arranged in connection with the Commission's meetings and participation commonly includes state and federal officials, Canadian provincial officials and other water resource specialists. Close cooperation is maintained between the Commission and state and federal agencies administering Great Lakes water resource programs. Each state delegation on the Commission regularly submits reports on each meeting of the Commission to the Governor and to state agencies with Great Lakes interests and responsibilities. Special reports on Great Lakes developments are made to the Governors and other state officials and bodies as warranted, and regular reports are made to the Governor and Legislature in each member state every two years. PURPOSES OF THE GREAT LAKES BASIN COMPACT To promote the orderly, integrated, and comprehensive development, use, and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin. To plan for the welfare and development of the water resources of the Basin as a whole as well as for those portions of the Basin which may have problems of special concern. To make it possible for the states of the Basin and their people to derive the maximum benefit from utilization of public works, in the form of navigational aids or otherwise, which may exist or which may be constructed from time to time. To advise in securing and maintaining a proper balance among industrial, commercial, agricultural, water supply, residential, and other legitimate uses of the water resources of the Basin. To establish and maintain an intergovernmental agency to the end that the purposes of this compact may be accomplished more effectively. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION Collect, correlate, interpret, and report on data and developments relating to the water resources and the use thereof in the Basin. Recommend methods for the orderly, efficient, and balanced development, use and conservation of the water resources of the Basin or any portion thereof to the party states and to any other governments or agencies having interests in or jurisdiction over the Basin. Consider the need for and desirability of public works and improvements relating to the water resources in the Basin. Consider means of improving navigation and port facilities in the Basin. Recommend policies relating to water resources including the institution and alteration of flood plain and other zoning laws, ordinances and regulations. Recommend uniform or other laws, ordinances, or regulations relating to the development, use and conservation of the Basin's water resources to the party states or any of them and to other governments, political subdivisions, agencies or intergovernmental bodies having interests in or jurisdiction sufficient to affect conditions in the Basin. With respect to the water resources of the Basin, recommend agreements between the governments of the United States and Canada. Recommend mutual arrangements expressed by concurrent or reciprocal legislation on the part of Congress and the Parliament of Canada including but not limited to such agreements and mutual arrangements as are provided for by Article XIII of the Treaty of 1909 Relating to Boundary Waters. Cooperate with the governments of the United States and Canada, the party states and any public or private agencies or bodies having interests in or jurisdiction sufficient to affect the Basin. Make any recommendation and do all things necessary and proper to carry out the powers conferred upon the Commission by the compact, provided that no action of the Commission shall have the force of law in, or be binding upon, any party state. MATTERS OF SPECIFIC CONCERN Stabilization of lake levels. Measures for combating pollution, beach erosion, floods, and shore inundation. Uniformity in navigation regulations within the constitutional powers of the states. Proposed navigation aids and improvements. Uniformity or effective coordinating action in fishing laws and regulations and cooperative action to eradicate destructive and parasitical forces endangering the fisheries, wildlife and other water resources. Suitable hydro-electric power developments. Cooperative programs for control of soil and bank erosion for the general improvement of the Basin. Diversion of waters from and into the Basin. Other measures the Commission may recommend to the states. COMMITTEES Seaway, Navigation and Commerce. Water Resources. Shoreline Use and Recreation. Fisheries and Wildlife. Pollution Control. International Relations. REPRESENTATION AND LIAISON U.S. Public Health Service pollution studies in upper Illinois-Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie. Great Lakes Study Group. Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators. International Association of Great Lakes Ports. Council of Lake Erie Ports. Sports Fishing Institute. Engineering Societies. Great Lakes Historical Society. Great Lakes Maritime Institute. American Association for the Advancement of Science. Lake Carriers' Association. PUBLICATIONS Great Lakes News Letter-bi-monthly. Great Lakes Foreign Commerce-annually. Official Minutes of Great Lakes Commission Meetings-following each meeting. Great Lakes Research Checklist. Summary of State and Provincial Regulations Relating to Sport Fishing on the Great Lakes-annually. Overseas Tonnage Statistics for Great Lakes ports-monthly. Report to the States-biennially Great Lakes Fauna, Floar and their Environment. Proceedings of the Institute on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Great Lake Port Organization and Administration. Great Lakes Programs and Problems. Seaway Construction, Commerce and Tolls. Deep Draft Navigation Improvements on the Great Lakes. Reduction of Pollution in the Great Lakes Boundary waters. Shoreline Recreational Survey. Water Levels of the Great Lakes. Lamprey Control and Research on the Great Lakes Fisheries. |