If some lake lovers have their way, Lake St. Clair might soon gain status as the sixth Great Lake. While it is nice and biologically diverse, it isn’t great.

However, a worthwhile issue as been raised by the Great Lakes Commission - great status would bring Lake St. Clair federal money to fight pollution, save dwindling wetlands and control nuisance weeds.

The Great Lakes Legacy Act makes it possible for millions to be appropriated by Congress to clean up the Great Lakes.

The commission and its supporters argue Lake St. Clair carries a steady flow of freighter traffic, and its water supplies 4.5 million people in southeastern Michigan and 1.5 million in southern Ontario.

They say Lake St. Clair also supplies a third of all fish caught in Michigan waters, including smallmouth bass, perch, walleye, muskie and other sport fish.

And that’s all fine and good. But while the lake that claims 420 miles of shoreline in Michigan and Ontario might be a big draw for anglers and pleasure boaters, it is a puddle compared to the mighty expanses of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario.

But as a part of the Great Lakes water system, Lake St. Clair should probably have some say in federal environmental preservation. The fresh water that flows throughout the Great Lakes is one of the world’s most precious resources.

All lakes in the Great Lakes area - including St. Clair’s puddle - are part of the same ecosystem and do not need special recognition or proper treatment.