The Great Lakes Compact

Lake MichiganMidwest Environmental Advocates has engaged in a multi-year effort to protect and conserve the waters of the great lakes by advocating for the passage and implementation of the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact.

On December 13, 2005, all of the Great Lakes Governors and the Premiers of Ontario and Quebec signed the Great Lakes Compact, which establishes minimum uniform standards to protect the waters of the Great Lakes . Now it is up to the Great Lakes States and Canadian Provinces to affirm and strengthen the protections laid out in the Great Lakes Compact.

In September 2006 MEA was selected to serve on the Legislative Council's Special Committee on Great Lakes Water Resources Compact. MEA spent several years working to produce legislation to implement the Compact that would protect the Great Lakes today and for future generations.

On May 14, 2008, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature overwhelmingly passed the Great Lakes Compact. 
Midwest Environmental Advocates has long been at the forefront of this important policy issue, working closely with legislative sponsors and stakeholders to ensure that the legislation reflect the key policy concerns of the environmental and conservation community.

ALMOST THERE!  The last remaining states – Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania - passed the Great Lakes Compact in July.  Shortly thereafter, it was introduced in Congress to be ratified by federal leadership.   On August 1st, 2008, the US Senate UNANIMOUSLY ratified the Compact. On September 23rd the House overwhelmingly passed the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact.  The President is expected to sign the Bill.  We now are looking ahead toward implementing this historic agreement protecting Great Lakes waters.

MEA is excited for the actualization of the Compact and is proud of the work and commitment of all the individuals and groups that were a part of this historic undertaking.  This significant natural resources agreement will protect Great Lakes water for years to come. 

Key Information

Realizing the Promise of the Great Lakes Compact: A Policy Guide for State Implementation highlights the Great Lakes as a world class resource and identifies the means by which Wisconsin and other Great Lake states should commit to improving protections for the Great Lakes and the people, businesses and wildlife that rely upon them.

Protecting Wisconsin's Waters:  A Conservation Report and Toolkit offers policy recommendations to encourage conservation and Best Practices from around the country.

Read the text of the draft Compact.

Read the text of the draft Agreement.

Read the hydrological facts.

Read our public comments on the 2005 draft Compact and Agreement.

The draft Great Lakes Agreements are supposed to carry out the Great Lakes Charter of 1985 and the Great Lakes Charter Annex of 2001.

Great Lakes Compact Passes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
May 14, 2008

Wisconsin Pols OK Great Lakes Pact, Now It Goes To Gov
The Capital Times
May 15, 2008

Wisconsin Legislature Passes the Great Lakes Compact
Wisconsin State Journal
May 14, 2008

Historic Great Lakes Compact Vote Expected Tomorrow, Legislators Urged to Support Compact Bill
Press Release
May 13, 2008