States, Provinces Make Pact to Limit Great Lakes Water Withdrawal

Four U.S. states and two Canadian provinces are limiting the amount of new water that can be withdrawn from the Great Lakes, which are at their lowest water levels in 30 years.

The governors of Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Indiana, together with the premiers of Ontario and Quebec, met in Alpena, Mich., and agreed that no new or increased withdrawals of water would be allowed from the Great Lakes basin unless a list of conditions are met.

The water level of the Great Lakes, which contain 20 percent of the world's fresh water, has dropped significantly in the past few years due to mild winters.

To withdraw new water, the proponent must prove that the withdrawal will improve the waters and water-dependent natural resources in the Great Lakes basin, and must implement all reasonable and appropriate water conservation measures.

(Source: Environment News Service)