Michigan's beaches are a treasure to be defended. A recent study of the nation's beaches by the Natural Resources Defense Council rated the Great Lakes beaches the dirtiest in the country. The report found 15% of the samples from these beaches were unsafe for swimming, more than twice the national average. The report also pointed out that nearly two-thirds of the beaches along Lake Michigan and half of the beaches along Lake Huron are not tested at all.

This is unacceptable. Mike Cox will monitor Great Lakes beaches for water quality on a real-time basis and when contamination is discovered, investigations and clean-up activities will occur swiftly and completely.

The Great Lakes are under assault, from an invasion of foreign plants and animals that are discharged into our waters. Mike Cox will continue to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species.

As Attorney General, Mike Cox works tirelessly to safeguard these waters. In 2003, Mike Cox testified in Congress supporting legislation to prohibit the discharge of aquatic nuisance species in our Great Lakes. Cox argued the federal government should require seagoing freighters to either treat their ballast water or eliminate these sea-borne invaders before coming into Michigan waters. When the federal government failed to adopt rigorous standards, Cox led a group of state attorneys general that sued the EPA to force regulation of these biologic pollutants that threaten the health and economy of the Great Lakes fisheries. His efforts led to wins in federal court, new state legislation regulating ocean going ships, and a movement in Congress to regulate the treatment of ballast water discharges and to force the EPA to change its rules governing the transfer of water into the Great Lakes. As Governor, Mike Cox will continue the fight against invasive species and protect the Great Lakes from all forms of pollutants.

As Governor, Mike Cox will vigorously use the Great Lakes Compact to prevent unreasonable water diversions from our Great Lakes.

As Attorney General, Mike Cox worked diligently to preserve Michigan's authority to prevent diversion of Great Lakes water outside of the Great Lakes Basin while allowing reasonable water use by Michigan citizens. Cox's office closely monitored and provided comments on a proposed multi-state agreement designed to address water use in the Great Lakes Basin, and opposed early drafts that would have weakened Michigan's authority to prevent diversions. In August 2008, Cox wrote a letter to the U.S. Senate urging its members to approve an improved version of the agreement - the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact - which would clearly prohibit diversions.

As a result of the approval of this Compact and accompanying legislation, Attorney General Cox was granted the authority to appoint a representative to the Water Resources Conservation Advisory Council. The Council creates policy and makes recommendations for improving the State's regulation of water withdrawals and use.

Despite all of these efforts, there is more to be done. As Governor, Mike Cox will defend the Great Lakes from contamination and diversion.