This week's relatively warm weather gets one thinking about summer.

Isn't it odd how 35 degrees seems so much warmer in February than it does in November or December? But the higher readings on the thermometer seem to reassure us that there is warmth at the end of the tunnel when we were beginning to wonder if there was an end to the cold weather tunnel.

Regardless, thoughts of summer for many brings thoughts of time on Lake Erie or other Great Lakes we have so close by. Fishing, boating, sunning along the lake or even enjoying the natural attractions in the rest of the lake's watershed.

But those of us who enjoy the world's largest collection of fresh water need to remember that it can be too attractive.

Other folks want it … and they want the water that flows into the lakes. It raises the question of who owns it.

Back in 1998, a Canadian company got a permit to ship water from Lake Superior to Asia. The company, called The Nova Group, later gave up its permit because of pressure from folks who did not want to see the resource carried away.

But because of the issue, The Council of Great Lakes Governors was formed to find a way to prevent the marketing of a public resource by private companies.

In December of 2005, the Council, headed by former Ohio Governor Bob Taft, began putting a proposal before their state legislatures. The proposal would put sovereignty over Lake Erie, and HOM + S as well, in the hands of all eight Great Lakes States and a couple of Canadian Provinces.

Tim Grendell of Chesterland, OH is a Republican in the Ohio Senate. Grendell is saying, "Not so fast."

He suggests that Ohio should not want to give up any of its share of Lake Erie water. An article this week written by Toledo Blade reporter Tom Henry says Grendell's point is that, with negatives like cold winters, unions, high taxes and high utility prices, the availability of abundant fresh water is one of the positive things to attract business and industry.

The Compact would give all the water … that means a-l-l the water, in the Great Lakes Basin, to the public trust. That would include the water in your pond, wetlands and well.

Grendell pointed out that The Ohio Supreme Court already has ruled that private property owners own the groundwater under their land, which would conflict with the Compact's provision.

Last week the Minnesota legislature approved the compact, becoming the first state to do so. The New York State Assembly has passed it but that state's Senate let it die.

Henry says that two bills approving the arrangement are in the Illinois senate and two are being considered by both chambers in the Indiana legislature.

It was approved in the Ohio House last year, but the state Senate let it expire and new bills will have to be introduced in Columbus. Grendell wants a one year delay in the vote.

In the meantime, he would have an advisory committee of members of both houses study the arguments in the other seven states before Ohio votes.

One of those dull subjects that can have a big impact on the lives of our children and grandchildren.