Great Lakes stewardship key to competitiveness, mayors say

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative asked its members to reduce water consumption by 15 percent, and this week 28 cities pledged their commitment to the goal. The cities also requested immediate action by Canadian and US governments to pass invasive species and water ballast legislation.

According to excerpts from the story:

At its fourth annual meeting held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, members of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative today announced significant progress with its Water Conservation Challenge. After only one year, twenty-eight cities have committed to a goal of 15% reduction in water consumption by 2015.

The mayors attending the Cities Initiative's annual conference also called on the Canadian and U.S. Governments to pass comprehensive invasive species and ballast water control legislation immediately, with mandatory measures for ships carrying ballast water and those with no ballast on board.

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