The Great Lakes are a natural wonder of the world, and an invaluable economic and recreational resource.  Unfortunately, the Lakes are suffering. Raw sewage contaminates beaches, invasive species threaten food webs, toxic mercury renders our fish unsafe to eat and unchecked water withdraws threaten their continued existence.  

The Great Lakes hold one fifth of the world's (and 95% of the United States') fresh surface water and provide drinking water to over 30 million people, however, there are no consistent rules across the region governing the use of water from the Great Lakes.  This means that the Great Lakes water supply is vulnerable to tankers and pipelines that would pump water away and leave the region open to water shortages and lowered lake levels.  In Wisconsin, serious water diversion threats from the growing suburbs of Milwaukee are threatening to undermine the goals of the Great Lakes Compact.  

In May 2008, Wisconsin Governor Doyle signed the Great Lakes Compact into law, taking the state one step closer to realizing permanent protections for the Great Lakes. Wisconsin has set a strong environmental standard among the Great Lakes states by adopting a strong Compact.  In addition, rules for water conservation and other provisions need to be strengthened to ensure an ample supply of clean and safe water for Wisconsin and the region.