Legislation introduced to preserve freshwater resource

Senator George D. Maziarz (R-Newfane) and Assemblyman Bob Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) introduced legislation to enact the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (S.4324/A.7266). The Compact will institute new protections for the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River ecosystem. It will incorporate new water management initiatives throughout the Great Lakes basin, including protection against out-of-basin water diversions and the promotion of water conservation measures basin-wide. The Compact is the culmination of a five-year process of negotiations among the eight Great Lakes States and the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario with participation by diverse interests. The governors of all eight Great Lakes States endorsed the Compact in December 2005.

Senator George Maziarz, whose 62nd Senate District is bounded by Lake Ontario and the Niagara River connecting to Lake Erie, said, "The Great Lakes are 20 percent of the world's fresh water. As "great" as these waters are, they are extremely fragile. With water-hungry nations increasingly eyeing the Great Lakes for their own water needs, it is imperative that New York pass the Compact to safeguard these resources to support the economies and quality of life of not only the current communities that depend on them but future generations. New York should be a leader in this effort."

The Compact language must be passed by all eight Great Lakes States and ratified by the U.S. Congress to take effect. Minnesota recently passed it. Once executed, the Compact will be the first enforceable water management system covering the Great Lakes Basin.

April 22, 2007