From the August 2005 issue

Revisions to Proposed Great Lakes Water Management Agreements

Governor George E. Pataki announced the release of revised draft agreements-known as the Annex 2001 Implementing Agreements-that will strengthen the management and protection of the Great Lakes waters and water-dependent natural resources.

Deer Creek Marsh will be among the areas receiving protection through this international agreement

"The Great Lakes are an irreplaceable natural resource that we must conserve now and for the benefit of future generations. I am eager to ensure that the spirit of the Great Lakes Charter-which is to conserve, protect, restore and improve the waters of the Great Lakes Basin-is maintained," Governor Pataki said. "The revisions made to the original draft agreements will improve protections in the Great Lakes Basin, and I encourage New Yorkers to offer their input as we take the next step toward adopting these important agreements."

The Governor's announcement was made in conjunction with the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and the premiers of Ontario and Québec, who are collectively encouraging public comment and participation on the revised draft agreements.

Key Improvements

Some key improvements contained in the revised draft agreements include the following:

A ban on diversions of water from the Great Lakes with limited exceptions
Implementation of common decision-making standards governing new or increased water-use proposals by each of the eight Great Lakes states and the provinces of Ontario and Québec
Determination that the decision-making process for in-basin water uses will take place at the state and provincial level with a regional review for projects having the largest water losses
A procedure for regional review of the implementation of the agreements and resolution of disputes by the states and provinces
Strengthened commitments to reduce demand for water and improve efficient use of water resources through improved conservation of current and future water users

Annex 2001

The Great Lakes Charter of 1985 is a voluntary agreement through which the Great Lakes states and provinces have cooperatively managed the waters of the Great Lakes. The Annex 2001 amended the charter to call for the Great Lakes governors and the premiers of Ontario and Quebec to do the following:

Establish a legally binding process to manage the Great Lakes waters
Adopt a new, common resource-based standard for evaluating new or increased water withdrawal proposals
Make further commitments to continue to improve the Great Lakes water management system

Comment Review

After the 60-day public comment period closes on August 29, 2005, the staffs of the Great Lakes governors and premiers will review the public comments. A final document will be prepared for the governors' and premiers' consideration for signature later this year. The final documents will then provide a framework for each state and province to pass laws enacting the shared commitments equally across the Great Lakes basin. In the U.S., Congress will be asked to consent to any compact among the states. No federal legislation is required in Canada.

Public Meetings

States and provinces will hold a series of public meetings around the Great Lakes region. The public meetings in New York State will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - Center for Tomorrow, State University of New York at Buffalo, North Campus, Amherst, Erie County, 6:30-9:00 PM
Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - Seneca County Administration Building, Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, 1 DiPronio Drive, Waterloo, Seneca County, 6:30-9:00 PM
Thursday, August 4, 2005 - Dulles State Office Building, First Floor Conference Room, Watertown, Jefferson County, 6:30-9:00 PM
Monday, August 8, 2005 - City Hall, Council Chambers, 41 City Hall Place, Plattsburgh, Clinton County, 6:30-9:00 PM

Staff from the Governor's office and DEC will be available at each of the meetings to discuss the agreements and answer questions from the public.

For the complete text of the revised drafts, additional background information about the Great Lakes Charter and Annex 2001 amendment, please use the link below to visit DEC's Website.

Submitting Comments

Comments about the revised draft annex implementing agreements can be e-mailed to NYSDEC. Written comments can be sent by mail to: Great Lakes Water Agreements, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 270 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, New York, 14203-2999.

Individuals and organizations outside of New York State also may send their comments to: David Naftzger, Executive Director, Council of Great Lakes Governors, 35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1850, Chicago, Illinois, 60601.

Direction Info

For more information about the public hearings or to get directions, please contact: Don Zelazny, DEC Great Lakes Programs Coordinator, at 716-851-7220.