SR-154, As Adopted by Senate, May 14, 2008

            Senators Richardville, Birkholz, Patterson, Van Woerkom, Prusi, Whitmer, Basham, Cherry, Allen, Kuipers, Gilbert, Barcia, Pappageorge, Hardiman, Kahn, Sanborn and Jansen offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 154.

            A resolution to urge the Great Lakes states to resist changes to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and to adopt the compact as presented in December 2005.

            Whereas, Water diversions out of the Great Lakes basin represent one of the greatest threats to the Great Lakes states. Large diversions, either individually or cumulatively, could irrevocably lower water levels and harm natural resources with consequent impacts on shipping, water use, recreation, drinking water, and the quality of life throughout the Great Lakes region. Unfortunately, current legal protections against diversions are precarious; and

            Whereas, The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and Agreement would bolster protections against diversions and help preserve the Great Lakes for the mutual economic and social interest of the entire region. The compact and agreement represent a delicate balance achieved after nearly five years of negotiation between the Great Lakes governors, Canadian premiers, industries, businesses, power suppliers, farmers, drinking water suppliers, environmental and conservation interests, and other parties that hold a vital stake in Great Lakes water; and

            Whereas, Quick approval of the legally binding interstate compact by each Great Lakes state, so that it can be presented to the United States Congress, is imperative to eliminate uncertainty among water users throughout the Great Lakes region and before the influence of the Great Lakes states dwindles in the near future. To achieve this end, each Great Lakes state and the United States Congress must agree to identical compact language as soon as possible; and

            Whereas, The Great Lakes states are well on their way to ratifying the interstate compact. Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana have already enacted the compact language agreed to in 2005. The Ohio and Pennsylvania House of Representatives have passed compact legislation without changes. The governor of New York is considering signing the same compact legislation; and

            Whereas, Changes to the compact made by any Great Lakes state at this point would at best lead to several more years of negotiations and at worst squander this historic opportunity to protect the Great Lakes for generations to come; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Great Lakes states to resist changes to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and to adopt the compact as signed by the governors in 2005; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the governors and legislative leaders of the eight Great Lakes states.