Take Action to Protect the Great Lakes!

Updated February 2008

Michigan's legislature is scheduled to review and pass significant protections for the Great Lakes including the eight-state Great Lakes Compact and accompanying laws. This legislation will safeguard against diversion and misuse of the globally-significant waters of the Great Lakes. Such protections will create jobs, improve the economy, and enhance quality of life.

The Compact has been signed by Great Lakes governors. It strengthens existing laws, recognizing the new and unique threats posed by invasive species, increasing consumption and development of wetlands.

As the only state entirely within the Great Lakes basin, Michigan has much more to gain through the Compact and its strengthening laws. We can not afford to wait.

We advocate passage of the Compact with strong implementing laws that will:

• bring Michigan into compliance with the Compact, and
• protect Michigan's valuable water for generations to come.

Such a package of legislation will create strong protections for the Great Lakes and our valuable inland lakes, streams, groundwater and wetlands.