Great Lakes Article:

Summary Box: Council revises diversion policy in Great Lakes plan
Associated Press
Published on timesleader.com on:
June 30, 2005

WHAT IT IS: An updated version of a blueprint for regulating large-scale uses of Great Lakes water. Draft version was released a year ago.

WHO PROPOSED IT: Council of Great Lakes Governors, representing the eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces adjacent to the lakes.

MAJOR CHANGES: Unlike earlier version, new plan prohibits out-of-basin diversions except to counties and communities that straddle basin boundary. Large in-basin water withdrawals regulated by individual states and provinces instead of a regional agency. Resource improvement projects no longer required of big water users.

WHAT'S NEXT: Public will have 60 days to comment on new version. Afterward, council staff could make further changes, then will submit plan to governors for consideration. Interstate compact implementing the regulations would need approval of state legislatures and Congress.