Agreement between Great Lakes states takes steps to protect water resources

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, with Congressional leaders and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, unveiled a bill to ratify the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact today. Congressman Ehlers was asked by the Council of Great Lakes Governors to be the lead Republican in the House’s effort to ratify the compact.

The bill will enact an interstate compact between eight Great Lakes states which takes steps to protect water resources, giving states in the region the final say on issues such as water diversion.

“This compact will ensure that Great Lakes’ water stays in control of Great Lakes states,” said Congressman Ehlers. “It is the overwhelming will of the states in the Great Lakes basin to manage this national treasure, and this agreement will ensure that the Lakes are used sustainably. I will do everything I can to see it through the legislative process before Congress adjourns this year.”

State legislatures and governors in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin agreed to the compact before it was sent to Congress for ratification.