Date: 2008-09-22
Speaker: JAMES OBERSTAR (democrat)
Chamber: H

who sponsored the House version of this legislation. as well as the senior Senator from Michigan. CARL LEVIN. for their hard work in spearheading this effort. I would also like to thank the distinguished chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Congressman JOHN CONYERS. for his support. Today. Congress considers this legislation pursuant to our duty in article I. section 10. clause 3 of the Constitution. the "compacts clause." to review and approve agreements between States or between States and foreign governments to ensure that they are consistent with the broader national interests. In the case before us. there is no question that the compact designed and agreed to by eight States is in our national interest. The Great Lakes Compact will help to preserve and improve this important natural resource. our Great Lakes. for years to come. The Great Lakes are one of our greatest treasures. an important natural asset that we must never take for granted and that we must always protect. With onefifth of the worlds fresh water. the Great Lakes attracted the early settlers to the legion. and tbday nearly 33 million people live and work within the basin. spanning eight States: Minnesota. Wisconsin. Illinois. Indiana. Michigan. Pennsylvania. New York and my home State of Ohio. Mr. Speaker. the Great Lakes are not only a source of drinking water. but they are also essential for recreation. jobs and the overall health of our economy. Lake Erie alone supports 240.000 jobs and $5.8 billion in wages. The Great Lakes are also highways. moving goods. people and services throughout the region. In addition. the Great Lakes support a multibillion dollar a year sport fishing and recreational boating industry. and also support travel and tourism throughout the region. However. the Great Lakes are vulnerable to depletion. Each year. rainfall and snowmelt replenish only about 1 percent of the water in the basin. Uncontrolled and careless diversions of water could thus be highly detrimental to the health of the Great Lakes. This compact will bring an end to destructive diversions of water from the basin. The purpose of this compact is to formalize cooperation among the Great Lakes States. to develop and implement regional goals and objectives for water conservation while preserving the States flexibility regarding their water management programs. New or increased diversions of water from the basin will be banned and community rights will be respected as long as appropriately rigorous standards are met. In addition. every 5 years the regional goals and objectives for water conservation will be reviewed to deal with any new issues that arise. As is routinely the case. Mr. Speaker. Congress expressly reserves the right to alter. amend or repeal this resolution in the future and to strengthen the compact. if necessary. The people of the eight States have worked diligently to craft this compact to preserve this vital resource. and it is urgent that we approve it now to ensure that our Great Lakes are here for. future generations. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.