The Great Lakes contain one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water, provide drinking water for over 40 million people and support over 350 species of fish, which attract millions in annual commercial and recreational fishing.

Despite their importance, the Great Lakes lack the protection they need.  

Efforts to divert water to the western United States and abroad have prompted bordering states to unite under the Great Lakes Compact, which would:

• Establish principles for determining how much water could be extracted for business and other uses while empowering individual states to establish rules to stay within the guidelines.
• Establish protections for Great Lakes waters within each state.
• Ensure that authority over the lakes' waters remains in the Great Lakes Basin.
• Establish a process to return water to the Great Lakes in better condition than they were withdrawn.

Status in Ohio:

On June 27, 2008, Gov. Strickland signed the Great Lakes Compact, making Ohio the sixth state to ratify this historic water management agreement. 

Status in other states:

• Illinois - ratified
• Indiana - ratified
• Michigan - ratified  
• Minnesota - ratified
• New York - ratified
• Pennsylvania - ratified
• Wisconsin - ratified

Additional Resource: Council of Great Lakes Governors

Next Steps:

Now that all eight Great Lakes states have ratified the Compact, Congress gets the chance to weigh in.  Ohio Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown continue to demonstrate strong leadership in urging Congress to pass the Compact. If passed, the Compact will provide the most comprehensive water management plan the region has ever seen.  

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Randall Edwards/TNC (Lake Erie shoreline); Photo © Randall Edwards/TNC (geese over Lake Erie wetland).