The Governor has signed the Great Lakes Compact, but there could still be trouble ahead for the agreement.
Wisconsin is now the fifth state to ratify the Compact, which is designed to prevent water diversions from the Great Lakes. Melissa Malott with Clean Wisconsin says Governor Doyle's action on Tuesday was an important step forward to protecting a valuable resource.
Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania still need to sign on, and Congressional approval will also be needed to enact the measure. Malott says getting members of Congress from states outside of the basin to sign on could be a challenge, especially since many western states may look to the Great Lakes to meet future water shortages.
The Great Lakes contain 20-percent of the world's fresh surface water and 90-percent of the nation's. Malott says that should help convince more states that action is needed to protect them.
