UpFront Eight States Band Together to Protect the

rather I The states will use a I There is a strong commitment to remarkable consistent standard to continued public involvement in the thing review proposed uses of implementation of the compact. occurred basin water. The states For the compact to become effec- recently in a will have flexibility regard- tive, the legislatures of all the Great nondescriptA meeting room ing their water manage- Lakes states and Congress had to ratify in a downtown Chicago ment programs and how the compact. The fact that this hap- hotel. On December 8, to apply this standard. pened in just over two years was testa- 2008, the Great Lakes-St. I Current and future ment to the broad, bi-partisan support Lawrence River Basin economic development the compact enjoyed. In addition, the Water Resources Compact will be protected through involvement of a broad coalition of officially came into force. It sustainable use and interest groups throughout the develop- is a very important step for responsible management ment of the compact was instrumental all who care deeply about of basin waters. in its swift enactment into law. the future of the Great Lakes. With this I Although there is a general ban on The Great Lakes are a national trea- action, and the other Great Lakes new diversions of water out of the Great sure—important to our nation and the states of , , , Lakes basin, Illinois’ diversion of water world as both an environmental and , , and Wis- from as authorized under a economic asset. Illinois is pleased to consin have taken a bold step to ensure United States Supreme Court Decree will join with our Great Lakes neighbors to the long-term protection of the water not be subject to compact regulation. implement the compact. Ensuring that resources of the . I Regional goals and objectives for the Great Lakes are managed sustain- water conservation and efficiency will ably is a goal that will provide benefits Highlights of the compact include: be developed, and they will be to us all. I Control over water withdrawals reviewed every five years. Each state remains with the states, working in will develop and implement a water cooperation with the Canadian conservation and efficiency program provinces of and Quebec. that may be voluntary or mandatory.

dditional information on the A Great Lakes Compact is available at www.cglg.org.

OutdoorIllinois February 2009