The Traverse City Record-Eagle is today reporting that officials from Kalkaska’s Downtown Development Authority are planning to approach Nestle Waters about building another bottled water plant in Northwest Michigan, this one taking water that feeds the Manistee River.

This debate, which is possible because of the so-called Water Legacy Act that opened up Michigan’s publicly-owned lakes, rivers and streams for companies like Nestle to use for private gain, is simply the latest instance of a private corporation selling off a public resource with complete disregard for the long-term damage such diversions will cause. Just last month, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality approved Nestle’s diversion plant in Osceola County that will rob water from tributaries to the Muskegon River. And next Thursday, March 15, the public comment period closes for Nestle’s application for a diversion plant in Newaygo County that would take water from the Pere Marquette and White Rivers. (Sign the petition opposing the application here.)

These rivers – the Pere Marquette, the Manistee, the White and the Muskegon – represent some of the best trout fishing in the world. By bringing anglers from across the state and across the country for the salmon and steelhead runs each year, as well as the great hatches that drive trout – and trout fisherman – crazy, the rivers represent the economic lifeblood of many of our communities. (It’s worth noting that Kalkaska itself hosts the National Trout Festival each year.)

Equally – if not more – important, they define our Northwest Michigan way of life. Few among us haven’t relieved the stress of a hard day at work (or on the campaign trail) by grabbing our rods and casting our cares away, or found solace as the water rushes by, or have had our breath taken away by a view as we cross a bridge or turn a bend in the road that reveals a previously hidden piece of this place we call home.

These resources are too important – to our communities, to our economy and to our way of life – to simply give them away one bottle at a time. With Nestle going full speed ahead to obtain their permits before we the people can say no, we have no time to lose.