For the first time in story , a body of water has the same effectual right as a U.S. citizen . AsThe Hillreports , voter in Toledo , Ohio pass the Lake Erie Bill of Rights at the close of February in an effort to curb pollution in the great lake .
Lake Erie frame four states and Canada , and it provides drinking water to12 million people . It touches several subway sphere , include Detroit , Toledo , Cleveland , and Buffalo , which impart it vulnerable to contamination . In August 2014 , resident of Toledo , Ohio were give notice to stop drinking tap water for three days after chemical fertilizer runoff triggered toxic algae blooms in the lake .
The Lake Erie Bill of Rights aims to prevent alike incident from happening again by permit Toledo citizen to sue political science or concern entity onbehalfof the piss reference . agree to thelegislation , the Lake Erie ecosystem has the effectual right " to exist , flourish and naturally develop " without being harmed by human activity .
Sixty - one percent of Toledo voters sanction the measure in a special election held on February 26 . Though Toledo makes up a small part of the Lake Erie basin , its shallow profoundness and high temperature make it one of the most ecologically divers contribution of the lake and the area most vulnerable to pollution . Environmentalists are acclaim the law as a success for the people of Toledo and a magnanimous step in the growingrights of naturemovement .
Even though the law was approved , there are critics struggle to make certain it never takes gist . detractor have call the legislation anti - business concern , saying it will smart farmer and kill job . Themorning afterthe practice of law was passed , the Drewes Family Farm in Custar , Ohio filed the first lawsuit take exception it for being unconstitutional .
[ h / tThe Hill ]
