News

Compact's Future Depends on Congress

The eight Great Lakes states have approved the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact--an international agreement designed to sustainably manage 20 percent of the world's freshwater--and now look to Congress and President Bush to formally enact the compact into law. President Bush stated that he supports the compact and will sign it, and he urged Congress to move swiftly.

"Congress recognizes the cooperative efforts of the eight Great Lakes states to preserve and protect the region's precious freshwater," said Melanie Napoleon, director of Great Lakes conservation at Shedd Aquarium. "This visionary treaty will benefit tourism, the shipping industry, the global economy, and the entire nation, not just the Great Lakes states."

The eight Great Lakes governors drew up the compact in December 2005 in response to growing concerns over historically low lake levels in the region, in addition to the recognition that the Water Resources Development Act was not a strong enough measure against large-scale diversions outside of the region. (Only one percent of Great Lakes water is renewed each year through precipitation.) The compact bans all new diversions. Exceptions must be approved by all eight states.

The compact took three years to gain momentum, gradually garnering support from the Great Lakes states affected. Minnesota was first to recognize the legislation, in February 2007, followed by Illinois, Indiana, and New York.

Special sessions were needed in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to resolve heated issues specific to communities that reside just outside watershed lines. Municipalities such as Waukesha, Wisconsin, which has tainted groundwater and straddles the watershed boundary, will have to apply for Great Lakes water.

Michigan, commonly known as "the Great Lakes state" because it resides entirely inside the watershed, became the last state to approve the legislation in July of 2008.

Several Michigan environmental groups voiced opposition to the compact, saying that it is too lenient on water withdrawals and that the language may leave the door open for commercialization of water. Movement on the compact is expected after Congress reconvenes in September.

—Elizabeth Latenser