I was asked to testify in Washington, D. C. and it doesn't seem possible but it is over already.

I testified before the House Subcommittee on Oversight & Government Reform at a hearing “Assessing the Environmental Risks of the Water Bottling Industry’s Extraction of Groundwater,” on Wednesday, December 12, 2008 in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2154.

I was asked to address MCWC’s experience opposing Nestlé’s plans to operate a bottling facility in Mecosta; experience on environmental issues when spring water is extracted from water sources in rural communities; the geological/hydrological harms on surrounding watersheds, wetlands, and riparian systems; and state property rights, state permitting systems, and federal regulations in addressing these issues.

I was on a panel of four. The other three were Richard McGarland - McCloud Watershed Council in Mt. Shasta, CA. Bill McCann - Save Our Groundwater from NH. Heidi Paul - VP Corporate Affairs Nestle. We each were allowed five minutes oral presentations followed by questions from the committee.   

Another panel followed consisting of Noah Hall - Assistant Professor of Law, Wayne State University; Wenonah Hauter - Executive Director of  Food & Water Watch;  Joseph Doss - Mr. Joseph K. Doss - President and CEO, International Bottled Water Association
Mr. James Wilfong, Executive Director, H2O for ME.

The hearing was webcast live at: http://domesticpolicy.oversight.house.gov/.  The witness list is posted, and the written testimony can be found at: http://domesticpolicy.oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1655

Terry Swier
President Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation
tswier@centurytel.net
231-972-8856