New Berlin does not have a wall separating the east from the west like they had in Berlin, Germany. But we are separated by the Great Lakes basin divide which runs right through the middle of the our city -- mostly along Sunny Slope Road. Thus, those on the east side of Sunny Slope get their water from Lake Michigan, while many west of there use water from the citiy's deep public wells which are becoming contaminated with radium.
Mayor Jack Chiovatero is taking an active role fighting to get clean Lake Michigan water for the rest of New Berlin. In fact, last month he was awarded a 2008 Environmental Local Official Leader Award by the Clean Wisconsin Action Fund,. This was presented to him in recognition "for his support of strong implementing language in the Great Lakes Compact legislation."
He also was commended for his support,even though New Berlin's application to the DNR for a diversion from Lake Michigan could be impacted. Where this strong compact blocks diversions outside the basin, under the current law New Berlin would have to get unanimous approval from all eight Great Lakes governors, which rarely happens.
Now, through compromises worked out among the Wisconsin legislators, they are offering a new set of rules. With approval by state legislatures and Congress It is amticipated the compact could grant exceptions to those straddling the divding line providing they send the treated wastewaster back into the lakes.
During a press conference which Chiovatero hosted at City Hall, April 9, Gov. Jim Doyle said, "The State of Wisconsin is the first state to include language on how to manage all parts of the compact, both environmentally and with support of business in Wisconsin, while still maintaining a competitive market and retaining the natural resources of the Great Lakes."
The anticipated agreement between the eight states surrounding the Great Lakes is intended to protect the world's largest freeshwater system from parched areas throughout the country and the world. Doyle emphasized that there already are water fights between Georgia trying to get some land in Tennessee over water in the Tennessee River, and between states in the southwest.
