# THE GREAT LAKES STEWARDSHIP AND PROTECTION ACT
## A BILL
To establish the State of Michigan as a leading steward and protector of the Great Lakes system, to preserve the freshwater resources of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario for future generations, to regulate industrial-scale water extraction and consumption, and to provide enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violations.
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## SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the:
**“Great Lakes Stewardship and Protection Act.”**
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## SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
The Legislature finds the following:
1. The Great Lakes constitute the largest freshwater system on Earth and are of critical environmental, economic, agricultural, and national security importance to the United States and the State of Michigan.
2. The Great Lakes supply freshwater relied upon by millions of citizens across the American strata, including residential populations, agriculture, commerce, wildlife, and essential infrastructure.
3. The preservation of freshwater quantity and quality within Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario is a matter of long-term survival, environmental responsibility, and interstate stability.
4. Increasing industrial-scale water consumption, mass extraction practices, and contamination risks pose a direct threat to the sustainability and natural replenishment of the Great Lakes basin.
5. The State of Michigan, by geographic position and historic relationship to the Great Lakes, declares itself a principal steward and protector of these freshwater resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
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## SECTION 3. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Act is to:
a. Protect the Great Lakes from unsustainable industrial or mass-use water extraction.
b. Preserve lake levels, water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and shoreline stability.
c. Prevent contamination, thermal degradation, and abuse of freshwater resources.
d. Establish strict oversight and enforcement regarding industrial water use within the Great Lakes basin.
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## SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Act:
1. “Great Lakes” means Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, including connected waterways, tributaries, aquifers, wetlands, and reservoirs connected to the basin.
2. “Industrial or mass-use extraction” means the withdrawal, diversion, pumping, processing, or consumption of freshwater exceeding thresholds established by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
3. “Entity” means any corporation, business, partnership, organization, government agency, private contractor, or individual engaged in regulated activity under this Act.
4. “Contamination” means any physical, thermal, chemical, biological, or industrial alteration negatively impacting water quality or ecosystem stability.
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## SECTION 5. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
1. No entity shall extract, divert, consume, or process Great Lakes freshwater for industrial or mass-use purposes in a manner determined to threaten:
* long-term lake levels,
* ecological balance,
* public water access,
* environmental safety,
* or interstate freshwater stability.
2. No entity shall return contaminated, chemically altered, thermally altered, or degraded water into the Great Lakes basin without treatment standards approved by EGLE and independent environmental review.
3. No entity shall construct or expand industrial infrastructure requiring excessive freshwater consumption without a full environmental impact review and public disclosure process.
4. The State may deny, suspend, or revoke operational permits where freshwater usage is determined to pose long-term environmental or resource risks.
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## SECTION 6. ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY
1. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), in coordination with the Attorney General and other authorized agencies, shall enforce this Act.
2. EGLE may:
* conduct inspections,
* subpoena records,
* issue cease-and-desist orders,
* suspend permits,
* and pursue civil or criminal enforcement actions.
3. Emergency injunctions may be sought immediately where environmental harm is likely or ongoing.
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## SECTION 7. PENALTIES
1. Any entity found in violation of this Act shall be subject to:
* civil fines of not less than $500,000 per violation per day,
* immediate operational suspension,
* mandatory environmental remediation costs,
* and permanent revocation of operating privileges within the Great Lakes basin.
2. Willful violations causing substantial environmental harm may constitute a felony punishable by:
* imprisonment of up to 20 years,
* criminal fines up to $25,000,000,
* or both.
3. Officers, executives, directors, or responsible decision-makers may be held personally liable for intentional misconduct or concealment.
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## SECTION 8. PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY
1. All industrial-scale freshwater permits, extraction totals, contamination reports, environmental studies, and enforcement actions shall be publicly accessible online.
2. Michigan residents shall retain standing to petition for review or investigation regarding suspected violations.
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## SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act shall take effect 90 days following enactment into law.
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## SECTION 10. DECLARATION OF STEWARDSHIP
The State of Michigan formally recognizes its duty as a steward and protector of the Great Lakes system and affirms that the preservation of freshwater resources shall take precedence over unsustainable industrial exploitation.