Washington—The Senate today unanimously passed a joint resolution that will protect the Great Lakes and ensure that Hoosiers continue to receive the substantial economic and recreational benefits that the Lakes provide. 

Senator Evan Bayh introduced the Great Lakes Basin Compact last week with 15 of his Senate colleagues. The Compact will preserve the water of the Great Lakes for the benefit of Indiana and the seven other Great Lakes states.

The Great Lakes Basin Compact bans water diversions from Lakes Michigan, Erie, Superior, Huron and Ontario to any state other than the eight Great Lakes states.  The agreement also establishes conservation policies to monitor the use of Great Lakes water and protect the Lakes for future generations.

“By preventing western states and foreign companies from diverting and consuming the Lakes’ water, we are preserving one of America’s greatest natural resources,” Senator Bayh said. “This measure will have wide-ranging benefits for Hoosiers, protecting everything from our drinking water to our recreational boating and commercial fishing industries.”

Indiana uses more than 2.5 billion gallons of water from the Great Lakes each day for public and commercial consumption. More than 2 million people visit the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore each year, which generates over $25 million for Indiana’s economy. Fishing and boating activities also contribute millions of dollars to local communities.

“The Compact passed by the Senate today has been adopted by each legislature of the Great Lakes states,” Senator Bayh said. “Preserving and restoring the health of the Lakes will broadly benefit the Great Lakes region.”

President Bush has indicated that he supports the Compact and will sign the legislation when it reaches his desk.

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