The Great Lakes account for roughly 20% of Earth’s surface fresh water and are one of the world’s most precious natural resources. In order to protect the lakes from overuse, eight U.S. states (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) and two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Quebec) worked in tandem to establish a set of rules determining how to collectively manage Great Lakes water.
What it did: Prohibited bulk water exports from the Great Lakes Basin, established strict regulations on water withdrawal, and required states to implement conservation measures and water management plans.
Clean Wisconsin’s role: Played a leading role in crafting the compact, with Clean Wisconsin staff serving on high-level legislative council committees and directly lobbying for its passage.
Legacy: Safeguarded the Great Lakes from over extraction and fostered collaboration among Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces to safeguard Great Lakes waters.
