After months of discussion and roadblocks in the Assembly, Governor Doyle and Legislative leaders say they're ready to act on the interstate water treaty. State Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) says it should have bi-partisan support, now that Assembly concerns about the Compact have been addressed.
Assembly Republicans blocked passage of the Compact, largely over concerns about the ability of Great Lakes governors to stop water diversions. Miller says that objection, a death knell for the Compact, has been dropped.
The compromise will protect regional use of resources provided by the lakes and prevent long-distance diversions of water. It also gives the state more oversight on access to water by counties partially straddling the Great Lakes basin.
The Governor has called for an April 17th special session to ratify the Compact. Four states, along with Ontario and Quebec, have already approved the treaty.
