Although vast, the Great Lakes are vulnerable to the removal of water at rates faster than can be naturally replenished. 33 million people drink Great Lakes water daily, but no current law assures the long-term supply of this vital resource. 

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Basin Water Resources Compact is an agreement between the eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces to provide that assurance. In 2007 Illinois joined Minnesota in adopting the provisions of the Compact, and the other six Great Lakes state legislatures followed suit in 2008. Two Canadian provinces have also signed on.  

In August 2008, the Great Lakes Compact passed the U.S. Senate by voice vote. In September 2008, the Compact passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 390 to 25 margin.  President Bush is expected to sign the Compact into law in early October.  Environment Illinois fought hard for the passage of the Compact and will work hard to ensure its successful implementation in the coming years.  

Many Demands Strain a Finite Resource

With growing water demand from industry, housing, and farming—not to mention proposals to export Great Lakes water to other parts of the United States and other countries—the Great Lakes are in jeopardy. Each year, rainfall and snowmelt replenishes only about one percent of Great Lakes water; the other 99 percent is non-renewable. Great Lakes basin waters are interconnected, so falling water levels can drain ponds, dry wetlands, and damage fragile ecosystems.

Lake Michigan currently provides Illinois industry, shipping, and tourism, as well as drinking water for 33 million people, including Chicago and 124 suburbs. But these demands on the finite Great Lakes water supply compete with proposals for new in-basin uses as well as schemes to export Great Lakes water—like the proposals to refill the western U.S.'s Ogallala Aquifer or produce bottled water for sale in Asia.

Current law provides no assurance of the long-term sustainable management of Great Lakes water. Under the 1985 Great Lakes Charter, the Great Lakes governors agreed to notify each other prior approving of large new water projects, but the charter is non-binding. The 1986 Water Resources Development Act requires the Great Lakes Governors' approval for large diversions—the removal of water from the Great Lakes basin—but it doesn't provide standards for approving those diversions.

A Multi-State Agreement to Protect the Great Lakes Water

The Great Lakes Compact, the product of 5 years' negotiation and 15,000 public comments, is an agreement among the eight Great Lakes states to ensure sustainable use of Great Lakes water. The Compact prohibits new or increased out-of-basin diversions except under special circumstances to provide public drinking water. It also requires all Great Lakes states to develop water resource inventories and efficiency programs and give public notice of large proposed new water uses. Finally, it establishes uniform standards across the Great Lake states for evaluating new in-basin uses of Great Lakes water.