May 14, 2008

 

 

Great Lakes Compact Passes Senate

Madison – Wisconsin’s pristine lakes will be preserved with the passage of Great Lakes Compact through the Senate today. Completing another Special Session, the Senate took positive action on a vote of 32-1 in favor of the Great Lakes Compact, a negotiated deal between the eight Great Lakes states and Canadian providences.

“The Great Lakes Compact is an important step to ensuring our quality of life in Wisconsin. Environmentally, this is the strongest implementing legislation of any state ratifying the compact. We will all have an opportunity to enjoy the Great Lakes for many years to come with this deal,” said Erpenbach.

For the past two years, Legislators from Wisconsin have been working for passage of the Great Lakes Compact. Without passage in regular session in the Assembly, a Special Session was called by Governor Doyle to move the proposal forward.

Wisconsin’s legislation is consistent with our strong environmental laws and protects the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes while complying with the provisions of the negotiated multi-state agreement. The compact and enabling Legislation passed today was a compromise shaped by a diverse group of stakeholders including representatives from industry, municipalities, conservationists, businesses, and Democratic and Republican leaders.

The Michigan Senate passed the Great Lakes Compact this morning on a vote of 38-0.