June 12, 2006

Audubon New York
Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Environmental Advocates of New York
Great Lakes United
National Wildlife Federation

Environmental Groups Urge Passage of Great Lakes Protections
Ask NYS Legislature to Ratify Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact

(ALBANY, NY)—With increasing threats of Great Lakes water being exported or diverted from the Basin, environmental groups called on New York lawmakers today to pass the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact before the end of the New York State Legislative Session. The Compact is the culmination of a five-year process of negotiations among the eight Great Lakes States and two Canadian Provinces. Governor Pataki proposed the Compact in late May. When finalized by both the Assembly and the Senate, New York could be the first of the Great Lakes States to ratify the Compact. 

Senator Carl Marcellino, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation, said, “Fresh water is a natural resource that must be protected. This compact goes a long way to ensure that the Great Lakes will have enough water to protect their precious ecosystems, and that future generations will have the water they need.”

“With just two weeks left in session, I can think of no greater priority for our long-term environmental health than ratifying the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact,” Senator George Maziarz said. “This well-crafted agreement with our neighboring states and provinces will help protect a vulnerable ecosystem for generations to come. I fully support its immediate passage.”

“The Great Lakes are an irreplaceable resource for all of New York State, not just the cities and towns along its shores. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are sources of drinking water for millions of New Yorkers and also provide jobs, generate power, and bring in tourist dollars. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact is integral to safeguarding the health of the Lakes,” said Robert J. Moore, executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York. “Environmental Advocates of New York urges state lawmakers to secure passage of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Resources Compact in the next two weeks.”

“The Compact is critical for the long-term protection of Great Lakes Basin resources, which represent 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water,” said David J. Miller, Executive Director of Audubon New York.  “This Compact will allow the Lakes region to maintain control of its waters as demand continues to grow throughout the U.S. and worldwide, and we urge New York Legislators to ratify the Compact and make it law.” 

The Compact would impose restrictions on the depletion of water from the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River ecosystem. It would protect the Great Lakes from harm by implementing a strong and effective water management plan, including protections against water diversions out of the basin and careless water use within the basin. In order to take effect, the Compact must now be ratified in each of the eight Great Lakes States, and by the U.S. Congress. New York is the first State in the basin to have the opportunity to ratify the Compact.

“The Legislature must act swiftly to approve the Compact to ensure New York’s Great Lakes and dependent industries, like hydropower, navigation, fishing, and recreation remain vibrant,” Dereth Glance, Program Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) stated.  “As a ‘downstream’ state, New York is vulnerable to the negative impacts from decreasing lake levels, which exacerbate existing strains on this fragile ecosystem from pollution and invasive species.” 

The Great Lakes are the world's single largest source of fresh surface water. They represent 95 percent of the fresh surface water of the United States.  The water of the Great Lakes represents a critical resource for New York, providing drinking water for millions of people in the region, numerous industrial and agricultural uses, navigation, hydroelectric power and energy production, recreation and tourism, and important fish and wildlife habitat. Although seemingly abundant, less than one percent of the Great Lakes water is renewed each year, leaving the Lakes vulnerable to depletion. 

If left unchecked, increasing withdrawals from the Basin will pose serious environmental harm to the entire Great Lakes ecosystem. Lowering water levels could result in an increase in shoreline and stream erosion and make the Great Lakes more susceptible to invasive species and contamination from pollution.

“The Great Lakes are the backbone of our economy and our quality of life,” said Great Lakes United Senior Coordinator Reg Gilbert. “Protecting them from diversion and abuse should a top priority for every basin state legislature.”

“The Compact guarantees the long-term protection and sound management of Great Lakes water. It ensures that the water will be available for the people and wildlife that depend on it and will remain protected for generations to come,” said Molly Flanagan, Great Lakes Water Resources Advocate, for the National Wildlife Federation. “New York is poised to lead the region by becoming the first state to ratify the Compact. We applaud New York’s visionary leaders who are committed to protecting and restoring the Great Lakes.”

Protecting the water resources of the Great Lakes from depletion is an essential step toward ensuring the long term restoration of the Lakes. Currently, national efforts are underway to put into practice priority recommendations of a multi-billion dollar Great Lakes clean-up strategy released in December as part of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.  The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act (S.2545/H.R.5100) has been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate, with strong bi-partisan support from New York’s Congressional delegation, and will begin to improve the health of the Lakes.

Environmental groups are also advocating for Senate Bill 7701a, sponsored by Senator Maziarz, which would authorize and direct the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to participate in the Great Lakes Aquatic Nuisance Species Coalition, as organized by the State of Michigan, for the purpose of establishing regulations to address the discharge of aquatic nuisance species in the ballast water of ocean-going vessels. The bill also directs the DEC to continue its cooperation with various organizations working to address such nuisance species, including the International Joint Commission, the Great Lakes Commission, the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. EPA, and the NYS Invasive Species Task Force.

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Audubon New York, the 50,000 member State program of the National Audubon Society, is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitats that supports them.  Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) is an 80,000 -member, non-profit, non-partisan, advocacy organization working to protect public health and the natural environment throughout New York State and Connecticut. For more information please visit www.citizenscampaign.org.

Environmental Advocates of New York is the state’s government watchdog, holding lawmakers and agencies accountable for implementing policy that protects natural resources and safeguards public health. For more information call 518.462.5526 or visit www.eany.org. 

Great Lakes United is an international coalition of 170 environmental, hunter-angler, labor and community organizations in the United States, Canada, and Tribal Nations dedicated to protecting and restoring the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem. For more information see www.glu.org.

The National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.