Great Lakes Compact Success

Friday, October 10, 2008

(National Wildlife Federation)

Great Lakes


Great Lakes Compact Success!

Image of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes ecosystem is the only freshwater system of its kind in size and ecological diversity.

The Great Lakes are now securely protected from diversion and misuse following ratification of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Water Resources Compact. The historic agreement among states sets strong standards for water use within the Great Lakes basin.

The Great Lakes contain nearly 20 percent of the world's freshwater supply and over 90 of the fresh surface water in the United States. They are a vast resource, but each year rainfall and snowmelt replenish only about one percent of the water in the basin. The other 99 percent is finite and nonrenewable.

This success helps ensure the future of the Great Lakes for diverse wildlife that rely on them. The water agreement is the capstone of ten years of hard work by the National Wildlife Federation and partners in the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

Thanks so much to all of you who helped us achieve this huge victory!

You can learn more about the National Wildlife Federation's work in the Great Lakes region at nwf.org/greatlakes.

Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.

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