Great Lakes Compact

The Great Lakes Compact is an agreement among eight U.S. states bordering the Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New York) to manage and protect the lakes' water resources. It aims to prevent large-scale water withdrawals that could harm the ecosystem, economy, and communities. The compact promotes sustainable, coordinated water use, requiring states to evaluate and approve water use proposals to ensure they don’t negatively impact the Great Lakes' water levels and quality. This collaborative approach helps preserve the lakes for current and future generations.