A push for expanded access to water from the Great Lakes is at a key point as a regional regulating group meets in Chicago this week to consider a request from a Milwaukee suburb to draw from Lake Michigan.
The upcoming recommendation from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body regarding Waukesha's appeal could have major implications for future requests from other cities that might want to tap into the Great Lakes. Environmental groups opposed to the access request have lined up to push back.
The group will meet Thursday to try to reach a consensus opinion that it would forward to the eight governors of Great Lakes states, who would then accept or reject Waukesha's plan.