Read MFTC Talking Points on Water and Trade- here

Read more background information on the connections between water and trade- here

Background information on international trade agreements with key terms- here

This session, the Maine Legislature passed a bill to require the Citizen Trade Policy Commission, the Attorney General, and the Water Resources Planning Committee to complete a study of the potential impacts of multi-national companies owning groundwater resources, and the impact of international trade agreements on Maine's groundwater resources.  The report is due January 1st, 2010.

Read the bill here: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/RESOLVE132.asp

MFTC will be engaging in this process to make sure the public is involved and that strong recommendations are brought forth to the Natural Resources Committee for next session.



For more information on trade policy and water, see the following sources:

NAFTA, U.S. drought endanger Canada's water
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN0322583420080403

Forum on Democracy and Trade
http://www.forumdemocracy.net/article.php?list=type&type=120

Council of Canadians:
http://www.canadians.org/water/publications/index.html

Membership of respective groups

Citizen Trade Policy Commission- http://www.maine.gov/legis/opla/citpol.htm
Membership: http://www.maine.gov/legis/opla/citpolmems.htm

Rep. Margaret Rotundo, Chair
Sen. Troy Jackson, Chair
Jane Aiudi – Dept. of Agriculture
Sarah Bigney - Nonprofit Human Rights Organizations
Malcolm C. Burson- Dept. Environmental Protection
Carla Dickstein - Economic Development Organizations
Sen. Stan Gerzofsky
Rep. Jeffery A. Gifford
Michael Herz - Nonprofit Environmental Organizations
Michael S. Hiltz, RN, BSN - Healthcare Professionals
Leslie A. Manning - Dept. of Labor
Wade Merritt - Maine International Trade Center
John Palmer - Small Business
John Patrick - Organizations Promoting Fair Trade Policies
Cynthia Phinney - Organized Labor
Linda Pistner - Attorney General's office Office
Sen. Roger Sherman
Rep. Sharon Treat
Barbara VanBurgel  Dept. Health & Human Services
Paul Volckhausen - Small Farmers
Joseph Woodbury - ME-based Manufacturing Business

Water Resources Planning Committee:

Jeffrey McNelly - Maine Water Utilities Association
David Bell- Agricultural Council of Maine
Tim Hobbs-Maine Potato Board
Tom Brennan- Nestle Waters North America
Alex Wong- Maine Rural Water Association
Barry Sanford, President- Maine Groundwater Association
James Wilfong- Representing environment and conservation
Greg Sweetser-  Ski Maine Association
Robert Marvinney- Maine Geological Survey
Marc Loiselle- Maine Geological Survey
John Harker- Department of Agriculture
Andrew Fisk- Department of Environmental Protection
John Hopeck- Department of Environmental Protection
Andrews Tolman- Maine Drinking Water Program