For Immediate Release
November 28 , 2007

(Springfield, IL) Today, Illinois Governor Blagojevich signed into law the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, an interstate agreement to protect the Great Lakes in perpetuity. The Illinois House of Representatives unanimously adopted the Compact on March 29, 2007. The Illinois Senate voted in favor of the compact on May 22, 2007. Governor Blagojevich sealed the deal with his signature on the legislation today.

Bill sponsors, Representative Harry Osterman and Senator John Cullerton, along with Governor Rod Blagojevich and Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn were instrumental in ensuring the adoption of the Compact. “The Compact enjoys bipartisan support in the Illinois legislature and is supported by diverse stakeholders throughout the Great Lakes region. This broad support demonstrates the value of Great Lakes water resources to Illinois,” said Cecily Smith, spokesperson for the Illinois River conservation group Prairie Rivers Network. “Many Illinois citizens have first-hand experiences with the environmental and recreational benefits provided by the Great Lakes and are eager to do their part to protect this precious natural resource.” {Continue Reading »}

For Immediate Release from National Wildlife Federation
November 27 , 2007

ANN ARBOR, MI —Global warming’s impacts on the Great Lakes will likely be exacerbated unless inadequate regional water laws are strengthened to prevent water diversion, according to a new report by the National Wildlife Federation.

“The Great Lakes are facing the one-two punch of global warming and water diversion,” said report co-author Noah Hall, an environmental law professor at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Mich. “We have known for many years that existing laws are inadequate to protect the Great Lakes from diversions and overuse.  Now we know that climate change is certain to put additional stress and pressure on the Great Lakes. Prompt passage of the Great Lakes Compact will go a long way toward mitigating the impacts of global warming while safeguarding a resource that millions of people depend on for their economy and way of life.” {Continue Reading »}