PEC Praises Pennsylvania Passage of Historic Great Lakes Compact Legislation

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 forPennsylvania 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 theErie 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 ofErie, 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 surePennsylvania'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

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