GLIN==> QUÉBEC COMPLETES HISTORIC PROTECTIONS FOR GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN

QUÉBEC COMPLETES HISTORIC PROTECTIONS FOR GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER
BASIN

 

Québec– On June 11, the Québec Government, led by Premier Jean Charest,
enacted historic protections for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River
Basin.  The law implements the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River Basin
Sustainable Water Resources Agreement (Agreement), which includes a ban on
new or increased diversions of water from the Basin, with limited
exceptions.  

 

Québec’s Bill 27 fulfils its commitment to pass legislation implementing the
Agreement and follows the National Assembly’s approval.  Québec’s action
completes the legislative process to implement the Agreement by each of the
ten Great Lakes States and Provinces.  

 

Premier Charest said, “Through this historic action, Québec has reaffirmed
its commitment to protecting the waters of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence
River Basin.  Our continued pledge is to conserve and protect our vital
water resources for our children and for future generations.”   

 

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, Regional Body Chair, said, “I applaud
Premier Charest and the Québec Government for their leadership in protecting
our shared resource.  This will help protect the Great Lakes and the St.
Lawrence River.”

 

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors
and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council, added,
“Québec has taken an important step for our region in meeting the promises
we have made.  The Great Lakes Premiers and Governors continue to take the
lead in protecting North America’s water belt and strengthening our
economy.”

 

Previously, each Great Lakes State and the U.S. Congress approved the
companion Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact
(Compact) which became effective on December 8, 2008.  Ontario passed the
Safeguarding and Sustaining Ontario’s Water Act in 2007, fulfilling its
commitment to pass legislation implementing the Agreement.  

 

The Agreement and Compact include the following:

*	Lasting economic development will be balanced with sustainable water
use to ensure Great Lakes Basin waters are managed responsibly.
*	There is a ban on new or increased diversions of water from the
Basin or between Great Lake watersheds.  Limited exceptions could be
allowed, such as for public water supply purposes in communities along the
boundaries of the Basin, but exceptions would be strictly regulated. 

*         The States and Provinces will use a consistent standard to review
proposed uses of Great Lakes water.  

*	Regional objectives for water conservation and efficiency have been
developed, and they will be reviewed every five years. Each State and
Province will develop and implement a water conservation and efficiency
program to support the regional objectives.
*	The collection of technical data will be strengthened, and the
States and Provinces will share the information, which will improve
decision-making by the governments.  
*	There is a strong commitment to continued public involvement and
engagement of First Nations and Tribes in the implementation of the
agreements.

 

Further information on the Regional Body, the Agreement and the Compact can
be found at glslregionalbody.org
<http://cglg.org/projects/water/GLSLRWRRB.asp> 

 

# # #

 

Contact: David Naftzger

Office: 312-407-0177       

Mobile: 847-863-1679      

 <mailto:dnaftzger at cglg.org> dnaftzger at cglg.org

 

 

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