DaytonDailyNews.com

There has been a lot of talk in recent years about possible solutions to alleviate drought conditions in parts of the United States involving the diversion of water from the Great Lakes.

Scenarios have involved huge pipelines that would be placed in one or more of the Great Lakes with water being pumped to arid areas, such as the Southwest.

It isn't going to happen.

And just to ensure that, the Great Lakes states are close to making it against the law to divert water from their "Inland Seas."

Michigan and Wisconsin are the latest states to pass the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact. Only Ohio and Pennsylvania have dragged their feet, both being held up in the respective states' senates.

"I believe there is a genuine threat to the Great Lakes," said Jordan Lubetkin of the National Wildlife Federation. "At present, the laws are inadequate to protect the Great Lakes states against a threat that is exacerbated by an increasing population and global warming."

The NWF not only supports protection against water diversion, but has closely watched the invasive species legislation that has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, but is being held up in the Senate.

"The Senate needs to get on board with this legislation right away, so the spread of invasive species can be stopped once and for all," Lubetkin added.

Outdoors award

The Outdoor Writers of Ohio are accepting applications for the 2009 Bruce Dawson Memorial Conservation Award, which will be presented to a deserving organization from Ohio that is involved with a variety of outdoor activities.

The award is named for the late Bruce Dawson, who was chairman of the journalism department at Sinclair Community College. He also was an outdoors writer whose articles appeared in the Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun, and Brown newspapers. Mr. Dawson was president of OWO when he died in 2005.

The award will consist of a plaque and a cash amount to be determined by OWO.

To be considered for the award, any nonprofit conservation organization can send a one-page letter to: Dawson Award, Outdoor Writers of Ohio, 6021 Mount Gilead Road, Fredericktown, OH 43019. It must be received no later than Aug. 1.

The name and phone number of the president or leader of the organization should be included, along with a statement as to what the group does, a brief history, current projects and a demonstration of financial need.

Such organizations would include those involved with habitat, teaching children about the outdoors (including shooting sports), promoting outdoor and boating safety, helping animals, and those working with divisions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Better mileage

I was talking with my friendly car dealer the other day about ways to get better mileage. When I bought my gas hog, fuel wasn't $3.959 per gallon, so he talked about things like harder tires, a clean air filter, etc.

Then he said it's always good to cut back weight.

"If you lose 20 pounds, you'll get better mileage," he said, obviously talking about the weight that is added to the car every time I get behind the wheel.

So I think I will start by getting rid of the spare tire ... not the one in the trunk.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2409

or jmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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