The provision which guaranteed against water diversion was brought as an amendment to the bill by Congressman Brian Higgins, a member of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force.
“Going forward, it will be important to ensure that the approval of this request does not set a precedent that will threaten to deplete this resource by encouraging further diversion requests that do not uphold the strict water management standards outlined in the compact,” Higgins explained, adding, “By prohibiting the use of funds by States to contravene the compact, Congress can send a clear message that it takes seriously the responsibility to protect the largest surface freshwater system in our Nation.”
Higgins’ amendment was supported by Alliance for the Great Lakes, the National Wildlife Foundation and Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
“With the recent approval of the Waukesha diversion, it is critical that Congress make clear that the integrity of the Compact will be protected now and into the future,” said Brian Smith, Associate Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “The need for a strong Compact is as important as ever, as our abundant freshwater resources are the envy of many who suffer from already strained, polluted, or disappearing water resources.”
Since 2010 over $40.4 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding has been invested in projects that remediate, protect and improve Western New York waterways.
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