Senate approves Great Lakes compact

By Diana Marrero
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved an eight-state water agreement known as the Great Lakes Compact Friday.

The bill, which essentially bans new or increased water diversions from the lakes, needs to gain House approval before it can become law.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, who flew to Washington to testify about the compact in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, applauded the Senate for its swift action on the bill.

“The Great Lakes define who we are in Wisconsin,” he said in a statement. “They determine the kinds of jobs we have and our way of life. But more than that, the Great Lakes are a national treasure — important to our nation and the world as both an environmental and economic asset.”

The lakes are home to nearly 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water 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.

The Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec have adopted a similar agreement but won’t be governed by the U.S. compact.

If approved, the compact would be one of the largest interstate water agreements in the country. Congress has approved at least 41 other interstate water agreements involving 45 states and the District of Columbia.