[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     GREAT LAKES--ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN WATER RESOURCES COMPACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes Compact before 
the House today is the result of years of efforts by the Great Lakes 
governors, other elected officials including state legislators from 
both sides of the partisan divide, and others who live, work, or 
recreate in the region to work together to help ensure a set of shared 
principles and protections for the Great Lakes.
  The collaboration that has produced the compact that is before us 
today was undertaken because of concerns that without a comprehensive 
and basin wide approach to the current and future threats to these 
bodies of water, we would lose them.
  These threats include a growing demand for water by users--including 
utilities, agriculture, manufacturers, concerns about the impacts of 
climate change, declining water levels of the Lakes, and pollution.
   While the agreement has widespread support among elected officials, 
environmental groups, and others, I do understand that some have raised 
concerns about some aspects of the agreement.
  That is to be expected because while this is a good agreement it is 
by no means a perfect agreement. It wasn't meant to be perfect. If it 
was, we would still be waiting for an agreement.
  But it is a good agreement, especially since we know that simply 
doing nothing is not an option or solution. This agreement was good 
enough to bring governors from eight states and both sides of the aisle 
together. It was good enough to win the approval of legislatures in 
eight states (with a combined 1,300 legislators.)
  Together with companion efforts in the Canadian provinces of Ontario 
and Quebec, the Compact would place new emphasis on a shared commitment 
to conservation and set new decision-making standards for Great Lakes 
water use.
  The compact would require each state to use a consistent standard to 
review proposed uses of basin water, ban new diversions of water from 
the basin, and calls for the development of regional goals and 
objectives for water conservation and efficiency.
  This legislation before us today would formally give Congress's 
assent to the compact, as required by law.
  The document before us today also is a recognition by the 
stakeholders who are bound by its terms--and with approval by the 
House, the Congress as well--that we all have a shared duty ``to act 
together to protect, conserve, restore, improve, and effectively manage 
the waters and water dependent natural resources'' of the Great Lakes 
basin ``for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of all citizens, including 
generations yet to come.''
  One of the most effective means to do this is through unified and 
cooperative policies and programs as outlined in this agreement. It 
would be a shame if after the hard work and negotiations and compromise 
that has shaped this process from day one, that Congress would let this 
opportunity slip away.
  The Senate has already approved this bill and I urge my colleagues 
here in the House to do likewise.

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