Rep. Slaughter Announces Support for Multi-State Agreement To Protect The Great Lakes
Urges Prompt Consideration of Legislation To Approve Great Lakes Compact
Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules and Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, today announced her support for legislation to approve the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, a multi-state agreement to manage and protect the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin.
Eight states that border the Great Lakes- New York, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin - are party to the Compact. The legislature of each state has already ratified the Compact; however, before the agreement can become federal law, it must be approved by Congress. Today Rep. Slaughter became a cosponsor of H.R. 6577, the legislation that will extend Congressional approval for the Compact.
"The Great Lakes are a national treasure," said Rep. Slaughter. "They are important to New York and our nation as both an environmental and economic asset. The Compact will ensure that the Great Lakes are managed properly and continue to benefit our communities for generations to come. "
This month Rep. Slaughter joined 52 of her colleagues in the House and Senate in sending a letter to the eight Great Lakes Governors pledging their support for swift federal approval of the Compact.
"I strongly support legislation to approve this critical agreement and urge speedy consideration by Congress," Slaughter concluded.
BACKGROUND ON THE COMPACT
The Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact bans new and increased diversions of water outside the Great Lakes Basin with only limited, highly regulated exceptions.
The Compact calls on the signatory states to develop and implement water conservation programs that, collectively, will ensure improvement of the waters and water dependent natural resources; will protect the integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem; and, specifically, will retain and restore the quantity of surface water and groundwater in the Basin.
In addition, the Compact requires the Great Lakes states, in cooperation with the Canadian provinces, to conduct a periodic assessment every five years of the cumulative impacts of withdrawals, diversions, and consumptive uses of Great Lakes waters.