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Press Release

For Immediate Release
September 22, 2008
Contact:
Samantha Slater (Donnelly)   (202) 225-3915
Sean C. Bonyun   (202) 225-3761

Congressmen Donnelly and Upton Express Support for the Great Lakes Compact
House to vote tonight on passage of compact

New Buffalo, MI—Today, Congressmen Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Fred Upton (R-MI) expressed their support of the Great Lakes Compact which will help to protect and preserve the Great Lakes.

“The Great Lakes provide millions of Americans with drinking water, jobs, and recreational opportunities, in addition to serving as a habitat for a wide variety of animals,” Donnelly said. “By approving the Great Lakes Compact, we will help to ensure that this national treasure is protected.”

Donnelly and Upton are both cosponsors of H.R. 6577, The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The compact aims to foster economic development through the sustainable use and responsible management of basin waters.  In addition, under the compact, each Great Lake state will develop and implement a water conservation and efficiency program.

“The Great Lakes Compact is so important to ensuring the vitality of one of the globe’s greatest natural resources – our beloved Great Lakes – for future generations to cherish and enjoy,” said Upton, a member of the Great Lakes Caucus. “Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes Basin play such an important role in all of our daily lives, and today’s vote marks the culmination of a nearly five-year process to achieve a broad, bipartisan consensus to protect our nation’s greatest natural treasure.  Congressman Joe Donnelly and I stand united in our support for the Great Lakes, and we applaud this Great Lakes Compact that will preserve the integrity of our waters and also prohibit the diversion of even a drop of water without the consent of all parties involved.”

“I am pleased that Congressmen Upton and I have been able to work together on this issue to make sure that our Great Lakes will be protected and preserved for generations to come,” Donnelly added.

The compact was approved by the state legislatures of the eight Great Lake states, including Indiana’s in February 2008. In Michigan, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the Compact on July 9th.  It was passed by the U.S. Senate early this summer. Pending the House’s approval, the compact will go to the president for his signature, at which point it will become law.

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