Through the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body, the Great Lakes Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and the Premiers of Ontario and Québec are taking the lead in protecting the world’s largest source of surface fresh water—the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. We recognize that the Basin’s waters are one of the most important natural resources in North America and that we must work together to protect them.
The Great Lakes Governors and Premiers created the Regional Body on December 13, 2005, by signing the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement. The Agreement details how the Great Lakes States, Ontario and Québec will manage and protect the Basin and provide a framework for each State and Province to enact laws for its protection. The Governors and Premiers are working aggressively to put the Agreement into action.
NEWS
July 9, 2008--GOVERNOR GRANHOLM SIGNS HISTORIC GREAT LAKES COMPACT
On July 9, 2008, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed Michigan’s legislation ratifying an interstate Compact that will create unprecedented protections for the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin. With this signing, the eight Great Lakes States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have now completed ratification of the Compact. To become law, Congress must now provide its consent.
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement Implementation Status
June 18, 2008--REGIONAL BODY ANNOUNCES MEETING HELD JUNE 18, 2008
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body met on June 18. A draft meeting summary is available online.
May 27, 2008--GOVERNOR DOYLE SIGNS HISTORIC GREAT LAKES PROTECTIONS--
Governor Jim Doyle, Council of Great Lakes Governors Chair, on May 27 signed Wisconsin’s legislation ratifying an interstate compact that will create unprecedented protections for the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin.
"This is an outstanding day for all of Wisconsin. From Lake Superior to the St. Lawrence River, our region is uniting to protect our waters, and I am pleased to lead our state in signing this compact into law," Governor Doyle said. "Our Great Lakes waters in many ways define who we are. And now the Great Lakes Compact will ensure that we protect this tremendous resource while responsibly using the water we need to prosper and grow."
December 4, 2007-- Resolution #6--"Adoption of Basin-Wide Conservation and Efficiency Objectives" was adopted the meeting of the Regional Body. The text of resolution, as well as the objectives, can be found online.
Also during the meeting, Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota became Chair, replacing outgoing Chair Premier Dalton McGuinty. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels was selected by lot to serve as the new Regional Body Vice-Chair beginning on December 13, 2007.
