The Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s available fresh surface water. This globally significant resource requires cooperation and collaboration amongst a complex set of binational governance forums to ensure a healthy, thriving Great Lakes ecosystem, economy, and quality of life for the tens of millions of people who reside in the region.
We are fortunate in the Great Lakes region to have binational governance organizations and agreements, some of which have been in place for 70 years. Through these forums, agreements, and sets of relationships, we work collaboratively to advance common goals and priorities. As the Great Lakes state, with 40% of the Great Lakes watershed, Michigan engages in regional forums to uphold the highest standards to protect and sustain the Great Lakes.
In 1955, a binational Compact organization was established in 1955 called the Great Lakes Commission by the Great Lakes Basin Compact, which was signed by five states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin). New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania signed the Compact later. The Compact was ratified by the state legislatures and eventually granted consent by the U.S Congress on July 24, 1968.
Excessive algal blooms in Lake Erie also prompted the U.S. and Canadian governments to sign the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The GLWQA is an agreement between the two federal governments that was established in 1972 as a commitment between the US and Canada to protect and restore the shared waters of the Great Lakes.
The Agreement has been updated in 1987 and 2012 to address new and emerging challenges. During this time, federal, state, tribal, and local regulation and restoration programs have driven progress toward ensuring drinkable, swimmable, fishable waters.
In 2005, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers signed the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement (Agreement). At the same time, the Governors endorsed the companion Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (Compact) which became law in 2008. The Compact is an agreement between the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The Agreement includes the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The Compact and Agreement detail how the states and provinces act together to protect, conserve, improve, and effectively manage the waters and water-dependent natural resources of the Basin.
Joint presentation with Working Across Boundaries to Cooperatively Manage 20% of the World's Surface Freshwater--the GL of North America (119509)