February 2008

U.S. Water News Online

ALBANY, N.Y. — The Great Lakes Compact received final legislative approval recently and now awaits Governor Spitzer's signature.

The measure aimed at protecting the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River ecosystem is the result of 5 years of negotiations among the eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces. Spitzer called on state lawmakers to pass the compact during his State of Upstate remarks in Buffalo earlier this year.

The compact would protect the Great Lakes from harm by implementing an effective water management plan, including protection against water diversions out of the basin and the promotion of water conservation measures.

Advocates say increased withdrawals of water from the Great Lakes basin could pose serious environmental harm to the region's ecosystem, and impact power generation, agriculture, industry, property values and tourism.