PUBLIC HEARING

Nancy Madson, resident of southern Minnesota, originally from Duluth

I wasn't going to say anything but I have to say this water diversion idea. I cannot tell you how much that offends me that it is being considered. I keep hearing arguments about, well, we don't know the economic benefit might be, we don't know what the environmental damage might be. Frankly whether the environmental damage is discernable now, whether we don't know the economic benefit, I don't think those things are pertinent. I think about the damage that we've already done to these Great Lakes, that the exploitation is incredible. Any further exploitation is indefensible. I can't believe that it is even being considered.

I ask that it not be considered. If people want the benefits of the Great Lakes watershed, they ought to live in the Great Lakes watershed. It's not appropriate to send that water elsewhere. These lakes have a value, a pristine value that is far beyond anything economic, it's far beyond anything agricultural. This water belongs where it is. Thank you.