Through the Council of Great Lakes Governors, the region is now setting the pace in the global marketplace and protecting the world's largest single source of fresh water.
 

Projects

Great Lakes Water Management Overview Great Lakes Agreement and Compact Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body Compact Implementation Status and Background Documents Great Lakes Water Conservation and Efficiency Initiative Water Management Working Group Meeting Summaries Legal Structure Links/Downloads

Great Lakes Water Management

Overview

Through the Great Lakes Water Management Initiative, the Council of Great Lakes Governors is taking the lead in protecting the Great Lakes. We recognize that the Great Lakes are one of the most important natural resources in North America and that we must work together to protect them.

The Council assists the Governors and Premiers in coordinating activities under the Great Lakes Charter of 1985, a voluntary agreement through which the Great Lakes States and Provinces cooperatively manage the waters of the Great Lakes. The Council also coordinates the authority granted to the Governors under the U.S. Federal Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986. This Act requires the Governors’ unanimous approval on any proposed out-of-basin diversion or export of water from the Great Lakes Basin.

Despite these important tools, the Great Lakes Governors and Premiers of Ontario and Québec recognize that:

o There are threats to the Great Lakes Basin now, and they promise to increase in the future. We are looking ahead and taking protective steps to avoid conflicts and shortages in the future.

o The Great Lakes are critical to our economy. We must use the water wisely to help ensure that it remains at healthy levels and to maintain our region’s competitive economic advantage.

o We must preserve and protect these waters now and for future generations. That will be our legacy for our children and grandchildren.

Therefore, in order to update the regional water management system and ensure that the Great Lakes are protected, the Governors and Premiers signed the Great Lakes Charter Annex in 2001. Since that time, the Council of Great Lakes Governors has been working to put the Charter Annex into action. The staffs of the Governors and Premiers have been working closely with representatives of local governments, as well as agricultural, business and environmental interests. The States and Provinces also engaged in consultation and continuing dialogue with the Tribes and First Nations.

On December 13, 2005 the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement was signed by the Great Lakes Governors and Premiers, and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact was endorsed by the Great Lakes Governors. Once enacted, the signed agreements will provide the necessary framework to help the States and Provinces to protect the Great Lakes Basin. The Great Lakes Governors and Premiers continue to work together to ensure the sustainable use of the waters of the Great Lakes.

 
Key Download Adobe PDF Word File Text File External Link

 
Concerns or Problems Regarding CGLG.org Please Report Them Here.
Privacy Policy