BONIOR ASKING ARMY CORPS TO EXAMINE PERRIER PLANT
from Gongwer Michigan News Service, November 2001

U.S. Rep. David Bonior (D-Mount Clemens) is asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine whether Perrier's water bottling plant in Mecosta County would constitute an unauthorized diversion of Great Lakes Water. Perrier received a permit from the state Department of Environmental Quality in August to withdraw 200 gallons of groundwater per minute at the site. Both Perrier and the DEQ have strongly maintained that Perrier exceeded all state regulations with the plant.

"I am deeply concerned this project may constitute an unauthorized diversion that could affect water levels, wetlands and the healthy flow of Great Lakes water," Mr. Bonior said in his Thursday letter. Mr. Bonior, who is a Democratic candidate for governor in 2002, said in the letter that he believes the DEQ was wrong to issue the permit without seeking approval from the other Great Lakes states. In a separate written statement, Mr. Bonior said the plant sets "a dangerous precedent. Having
Michigan's freshwater bottled up and shipped out by the hundreds of thousands of gallons is clearly a diversion and we need independent scientists to study the hazards of this ill-conceived project before it's too late."

Commenting Thursday on concerns that the Perrier project was not up to specs, DEQ spokesperson Ken Silfven said Perrier went beyond Michigan requirements. "From a technical standpoint, this was a no-brainer," he said. "I don't think we're going to find companies much better than Perrier in minimizing impact to the resource. Perrier went above and beyond what it was required to do." Mr. Silfven expressed bafflement at how Perrier has become a lightning rod, noting that many farms draw out more water for irrigation purposes.

Deborah Wudyka of Marketing Resource Group, which represents Perrier, said Thursday in response to environmental groups wishes to beef up Michigan water laws that Perrier has gone beyond Michigan's requirements. "The Ice Mountain project as it was developed already far exceeds all water use laws in Michigan," she said. Ms. Wudyka has said in the past that the Perrier project has been deemed a consumptive use and therefore not diversionary.