BLOG

WATER POLITICS

Via Water Wired, news that the Great Lakes Compact is one step closer to reality. As the article notes, all eight US Great Lakes Basin states have approved the measure; Congress now has to give its blessing.

The Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec have signed on. Although Quebec does not border any of the lakes and is outside the basin, it is a signatory because of its position along the St. Lawrence River, which emanates from the lakes and dictates that Quebec make water management decisions with Ontario and the GLB states.

…The five Great Lakes — Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario — contain about 90 percent of the fresh surface water in the U.S. and about one-fifth of the entire world’s supply. The Great Lakes Water Compact aims to protect the lakes from large-scale water diversions.

…I agree with Noah (I’m going to disagree with a Great Lakes expert who helped draft the compact?) – I think this will pass Congress. Even though some Westerners (and perhaps some Southeasterners) lust after “all that water” I think Congress will respect the wishes of the eight GLB states (who still have a lot of clout). Congress likes to see the states resolve their own “water differences” by negotiating compacts….”