The Great Lakes Compact: looking back to 2007 and ahead to 2008

This has been an incredibly intense year for the Great Lakes Compact in state legislatures, and between the printing deadline and mailing of this article, there is sure to be some activity. As of December 1, 2007, Minnesota and Illinois passed the Compact into law. Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania have introduced the Compact into their state legislatures; New York has introduced and passed the Compact through both chambers of their legislature, but it hasn't yet been sent to the Governor. Wisconsin and Ohio have not yet introduced the Compact.

This is not to say the topic hasn't received attention. Wisconsin's legislature has gone through a legislative council special committee to evaluate implementation language for the Compact; however, due to the actions of a few council members who have very specific interests for the Compact, no consensus was reached on language. Statewide, mayors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Clean Wisconsin, have joined together with a joint resolution in support of a strong Compact with environmentally protective measures. Governor Jim Doyle has devoted time to the Compact, calling on a variety of stakeholders to help negotiate language. With such activity on the Compact in 2007 and more work to do, we can expect that attention directed at the Compact will continue into 2008.

In 2008, Clean Wisconsin will continue pushing the Compact in our legislature. We'll continue working with our members, NGO and governmental partners, to build support for the best implementing language to protect our Great Lakes. As we talk to our partners, we will rely on the policy research we've done on how best to protect the Great Lakes. We plan to counter our opponents with factual arguments that address the policy and economic benefits that the Great Lakes Compact will provide Wisconsin. With our continued work, Clean Wisconsin is optimistic that we will see a draft introduced in early 2008, and hopefully passed into law this or next session.

Member support in 2007 has helped fund Clean Wisconsin's crucial outreach promoting and building support on the Great Lakes Compact. For example, after a successful series of meetings in northern Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin was happy to see a significant increase in momentum on the Compact. With your continued support, Clean Wisconsin will be able to keep working on this legacy-planning law to protect our vulnerable Great Lakes from the diversions that would otherwise destroy them.