Protect Lake Michigan News

House Passes Great Lakes Compact 

Washington, DC – Environment Illinois 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, Environment Illinois Federal Clean Water Advocate.  "The Great Lakes Compact will help preserve one of the nation’s most cherished natural resources for future generations.” 

Sponsored by Representatives Emanuel, Lipinski, Kirk, Costello 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 Environment America 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, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, have approved the compact. Environment Illinois and its sister organizations in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all worked to pass the compact in their respective states.  Together with the other members of the Environment America federation, Environment Illinois advocated for its passage in Congress.  The Senate approved the compact in early August.  

“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.” 

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Environment Illinois is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.