House Passes Great Lakes Compact
Washington, DC – Wisconsin Environment applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for voting (390 to 25) to pass the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Water Resources Compact (S.J.Res. 45), which ensures more sustainable use of Great Lakes water. The compact addresses challenges such as growing demand for water and increased pressure to divert water from the lakes.
“Millions of Americans depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water and recreation. However, existing law provides no assurance of the long-term supply of this vital resource," said Christy Leavitt, Wisconsin Environment Federal Clean Water Advocate. "The Great Lakes Compact will help preserve one of the nation’s most cherished natural resources for future generations.”
Championed by Representatives Conyers (Mich.), Oberstar (Minn.), Ehlers (Mich.), LaTourette (Ohio) and other members of the Great Lakes House delegation, the compact is the first region-wide agreement to govern the withdrawal and use of Great Lakes water.
The Great Lakes comprise more than 90 percent of the fresh surface water in North America and are central to region’s environment and economy. Although vast, the Great Lakes are vulnerable to the removal of water at rates faster than can be replenished naturally. Each year, rainfall and snowmelt replenish only one percent of Great Lakes water; the other 99 percent of the water is non-renewable.
The Great Lakes Compact:
- Prohibits new or increased out-of-basin diversions except under special circumstances;
- Establishes uniform standards across the Great Lake states for evaluating new in-basin uses of Great Lakes water; and
- Requires all Great Lakes states to develop water conservation and efficiency programs.
A recent Wisconsin Environment report shows that America should turn to water efficiency first rather than draining more water from the Great Lakes and other waterways. The report found that by using existing efficiency technologies and practices six Southwest states alone can save nearly 2 trillion gallons of water a year, more water than is used in all of New Mexico and Nevada annually.
“The opportunity to save water through increased efficiency is tremendous. The Great Lakes Compact will help us reach this potential,” continued Leavitt.
Over the last two years, state legislatures in each of the eight Great Lakes states, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have approved the Great Lakes Compact. Wisconsin Environment and its sister organizations in Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania all worked to pass the compact in their respective states. Together with the other members of the Environment America federation, Wisconsin Environment advocated for its passage in Congress.
“Protecting the Great Lakes is not a Democratic or Republican interest—it’s an American interest,” concluded Leavitt. “We applaud Congress for taking action to protect the Great Lakes and urge President Bush to quickly sign the compact into law.”
Contact: Christy Leavitt, 202-683-1250
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Wisconsin Environment is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.
