Wisconsin lawmakers recently ratified the historic Great Lakes Compact, an agreement to protect the world's largest source of surface freshwater.
Both houses of the state Legislature ratified the compact with significant bipartisan support. Gov. Jim Doyle joined seven other American governors and two Canadian premiers in signing the compact in May.
The Great Lakes define this region, and their waters sustain our recreation, our way of life and our economy,"" Doyle said at the signing of the compact. ""Signing the Great Lakes Compact today is cause for tremendous hope. This is a victory for us all.""
The compact aims to stop long-distance diversions of water from the lakes and also sets guidelines to guarantee that water usage from the lakes is sustainable.
Through this agreement, the Great Lakes states and provinces will jointly manage the water.
Rep. Garey Bies, R-Sister Bay, said the deterioration of the Colorado River shows the importance of the compact to Wisconsin and other states.
""We have to be smarter in the Great Lakes Region on how the water is diverted and the most ecological way to do that,"" Bies said.
Sen. Robert Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, said the agreement would give guidance to communities that want to use the water for economic development.
Water from the Great Lakes is important to a number of Wisconsin industries, including tourism and the paper industry. The Lakes create jobs leading to $377 million in personal income for Midwestern residents, according to a statement.
The next step for the compact is for it to be passed by lawmakers in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. These are the last three states surrounding the Great Lakes that need to approve the agreement.
The compact has already been passed by lawmakers in Minnesota, Illinois, New York and Indiana. The U.S. Congress will then need to ratify the agreement.
Congressional ratification may be difficult to achieve, according to Bies. He said it may take ""some real pushing or shoving"" to get the other 42 states to commit to the agreement.
Environmental groups such as the Sierra Club have supported the Great Lakes Compact.
Shahla Werner, director of the Sierra Club's John Muir Chapter, which includes Madison, said the compact will be successful if passed by Congress.
""It would protect the Great Lakes for generations to come,"" Werner said.
