Historic Great Lakes Protections Become Law!

Less than two weeks ago, President Bush signed the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Compact, ensuring the protection of one of our country’s most important natural resources!

The Compact culminates 10 years worth of collaboration between conservation groups, government agencies, businesses and the public to preserve the always mighty but vulnerable Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes basin contains more than 90 percent of the fresh surface water in the United States and 20 percent of the world’s supply. Though they seem abundant, in fact less than 1 percent of the Great Lakes water is renewed each year, leaving the lakes vulnerable to depletion.

The Great Lakes ecosystem is essential to humans and wildlife alike; providing homes, food, recreation and economic sustainability. By stopping diversion of Great Lakes water to other areas and promoting sound management within the Great Lakes basin, the Compact protects this critical natural resource from depletion.

Thanks so much to all of you who helped us achieve this great victory!

You can learn more about the National Wildlife Federation’s work in the Great Lakes region at www.nwf.org/greatlakes.