Great Lakes Compact will Protect Water Resource for Generations to Come
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania
Environmental Council (PEC) praised the Pennsylvania General Assembly for
giving final approval to House Bill 1705, legislation that will ratify the
Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The bill now
goes to Gov. Rendell for his consideration.
House Bill 1705 was sponsored by Representatives Patrick Harkins (D-Erie),
John Hornaman (D-Erie) and many others in the House, and supported in the
Senate by Senators Jane Earll (R-Erie) and Mary Jo White (R-Venango) who
represent all of the Lake Erie Watershed.
"This is a historic moment for Pennsylvania and for the Great Lakes," said
John Walliser, Vice President of Legal and Governmental Affairs for PEC. "We
commend the leadership of the General Assembly - particularly the Erie
delegation including Representative Patrick Harkins, Senator Mary Jo White,
Senator Jane Earll, and Representative John Hornaman - for protecting a vital
environmental, economic, and recreational resource for our state."
The Great Lakes Compact will establish the first comprehensive water
management and protection program for 20 percent of the world's supply of
fresh water. The Great Lakes Compact was finalized in late 2005 after years
of effort, receiving support from both Pennsylvania Governors Tom Ridge and
Edward Rendell.
PEC helped develop and support the legislation by working directly with
representatives of the City and County of Erie, agriculture, business and
industry, and environmental interests in the Lake Erie Watershed.
"Lake Erie is critical for the northwest communities and industries who
depend on sound management of its water resources," noted Walliser. "The
Great Lakes are a finite resource already experiencing extraordinary demands,
including those from other areas of the country and even other nations that
are eyeing the Great Lakes to fuel their own economic growth. We are thankful
the General Assembly and Governor Rendell are making sure Pennsylvania's
interests in this tremendous regional asset are protected for the long-term."
Pennsylvania was the last of eight Great Lakes states to adopt the Compact,
which now must be ratified by the U.S. Congress to become law.
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council protects and restores the natural
and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education and
advocacy. PEC believes in the value of partnerships with the private sector,
government, communities and individuals to improve quality of life for all
Pennsylvanians. Visit www.pecpa.org to learn more.
Contact:
John Walliser
Vice President, Legal and Governmental Affairs
(412) 481-9400 office
(724) 719-0069 mobile
jwalliser@pecpa.org
SOURCE The Pennsylvania Environmental Council
John Walliser, Vice President, Legal and Governmental Affairs, +1-412-481-9400
office, +1-724-719-0069 mobile, jwalliser@pecpa.org
