Signed by Governor Mitch Daniels, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that includes Indiana in a compact with other Great Lakes states that establishes conservation guidelines and requires unanimous approval from each governor in order to divert water out of the basin.

Highlights:

- Includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin in the compact (Sec. 1). - Establishes The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin water resources council, consisting of the governors involved or their appointed representative, to oversee and implement the directives of the compact (Art. 2). - Requires the council to assist the states in meeting the following goals [art. 4 (sec. 4.2) (1)]:

- ensuring improvement of the waters and water dependent natural resources; - protecting and restoring the hydrologic and ecosystem integrity of the basin; - retaining the quantity of surface water and groundwater in the basin; - ensuring sustainable use of waters of the basin; and - promoting the efficiency of use and reducing losses and waste of water.

- Requires each participating state to develop and implement their own water conservation and efficiency goals in accordance with the agreement within two years of the effective date of the compact [art. 4 (sec. 4.2) (2)]. - Requires each participating state to manage and regulate new or increased withdrawals, consumptive use, and diversions in accordance with the compact [art. 4 (sec. 4.3) (1)]. - Requires each participating state to develop and maintain an inventory containing information on the location, type, quantity, and use of water resources within five years of the effective date of the compact [art. 4 (sec. 4.1) (1)]. - Establishes the compact as binding after the other participating states enact concurring legislation and with the consent of the United States Congress [art. 9 (sec. 9.4)].

Full Bill Text