Great Lakes compact advances in Congress

By Diana Marrero
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Both chambers of Congress took steps Wednesday to advance an agreement between eight states to prevent outsiders from tapping into water from the Great Lakes.

In the House, a key committee approved the agreement, known as the Great Lakes Compact, through a unanimous vote early Wednesday. A Senate committee held its first hearing on the subject later in the day.

The actions in Washington gave supporters hope that Congress could quickly approve the compact after a painstaking process among the states that took about seven years.

The House Judiciary Committee voted to advance the pact.

“We are all going to benefit by protecting the largest body of fresh water in the world, and the sooner this bill is signed into law, the sooner communities can get relief,” Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R–Menomonee Falls), a member of that committee, said after the vote. “To put it simply, with the Great Lakes Compact, everyone is a winner, and nobody is a loser.”

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle flew into Washington for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, which was presided over by Sen. Russ Feingold (D–Wisconsin).

“By implementing this compact, leaders are taking the necessary steps to protect the Great Lakes and sustainably manage this shared resource,” Doyle said during his testimony.

The lakes are home to nearly 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater and provide drinking water for more than 30 million people.

All eight Great Lakes states — Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania — have approved the compact. But it won’t have the force of law until Congress approves it.

Calling the Great Lakes “a national treasure,” President Bush urged Congress on Monday to quickly approve the compact.

The once-controversial measure has become widely popular in recent months.

“There is tremendous momentum behind the Great Lakes Compact,” Feingold said.

Supporters are hoping for a swift passage in Congress, but that’s uncertain given the upcoming August recess and the fall campaign season.

“It’s now a question of timing,” said Sharon Cook of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “Certainly the will is there.”

Even if Congress does not approve the measure this year, the next president would likely also be willing to sign the compact into law. Both Democratic hopeful Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have recently expressed support for the agreement.