News from Audubon New York, Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Advocates of New York, National Wildlife Federation, Save the River, Sierra Club – Atlantic Chapter

For more information contact: Dereth Glance, Citizens Campaign for the Environment: 518-339-2853, Erica Ringewald, Environmental Advocates of New York: 518-210-9903

U.S. Congress Approves Great Lakes Compact

New York Environmental Groups Applaud D.C. for Protecting Great Lakes, Urge President Bush to Swiftly Sign Landmark Law

ALBANY, NY (09/23/2008; 1230)(readMedia)-- Environmental groups across New York State applauded the U.S. Congress today for protecting the integrity of the Great Lakes by passing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. With growing threats to export water from the Great Lakes Basin and mounting evidence of the effects of global climate change, the Compact now awaits President Bush's signature. The measure passed by a vote of 390 to 25.

The Compact was signed into law by New York's Governor Paterson earlier this year, as along with the remaining seven Great Lakes States. The United States Senate passed the Compact unanimously in August.

Designed to shield the Great Lakes from harmful water withdrawals, the Compact institutes critical protections for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem. It would protect the Great Lakes from harm by implementing an effective water management plan and promote water conservation measures throughout the Basin.

"Truly a consensus document, the Compact is the landmark framework to ensure sustainable Great Lakes water management for generations to come," said Dereth Glance, Executive Program Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

"New York's congressional delegation brought home a huge victory for the St. Lawrence River, Lakes Ontario and Erie, and the three million New Yorkers who rely on the Great Lakes for drinking water," said Katherine Nadeau Water & Natural Resources Program Associates for Environmental Advocates of New York. "The Compact guarantees New York's voice in Great Lakes water use decisions and ensures fair and responsible management for this irreplaceable natural resource."

The Great Lakes are the world's single largest source of surface freshwater, representing 95 percent of the fresh surface water of the United States. The lakes are critical for New York, providing drinking water for millions of people in the region, numerous industrial and agricultural uses, navigation, hydroelectric power and energy production, recreation and tourism, and important fish and wildlife habitat.

"When hope appeared lost, the people, elected officials, and businesses of our region united around the Great Lakes and got the job done," said Marc Smith, Great Lakes States Program Manager with National Wildlife Federation. "Critical to this effort were the eight Great Lakes governors and the more than 1,300 state legislators who voted for the Compact. Congress has now followed suit. President Bush has already expressed his support and we look forward to his signing the Compact into law."

"The Great Lakes Compact is a great victory for New York and the entire region," said Roger Downs, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Conservation Associate. "The Compact will help prepare the region for climate change and ensures that New York's Great Lakes will be available for the use and enjoyment of future generations."

"The Great Lakes are Western New York's most important natural asset," said Julie Barnett O'Neill, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. "This agreement will foster the water conservation and diversion protection needed to protect our amazing fresh water seas for generations to come."

"We are thrilled that Congress has acted swiftly to pass the Compact," said Jennifer J. Caddick, Save The River Executive Director. "The St. Lawrence River is the lifeblood of our local communities and this legislation will protect one of the North Country's most important resources."

Although seemingly abundant, less than one percent of the Great Lakes water is renewed each year, leaving them vulnerable to depletion. The lakes' fragile ecology has suffered from pollution, invasive species, and the water diversions to support cities. With growing concerns about the loss of these natural resources, Congress' approval of the Compact couldn't be timelier. Environmental groups applaud the actions of Congress, and urge President Bush to continue to protect the Great Lakes.