On Thursday, July 17, NEMWI hosted the fourth session of the Great Lakes Primer and Orientation Program, made possible with the support of the Erb Family Foundation, on the topic of the Great Lakes Compact. The briefing highlighted the pivotal role of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Compact (“Great Lakes Compact”), a legally binding agreement that protects Great Lakes water from out-of-basin diversions and helps develop and implement water management and water conservation and efficiency goals and programs. Panelists included Peter Johnson and David Naftzger, Deputy Director and Executive Director, respectively, of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers, and two of the architects of the Compact.
In order to ensure an equal playing field of understanding in the audience, Naftzger and Johnson gave a comprehensive overview of the scope and justification of the Great Lakes Compact. The presentation began with an overview of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, an organization rooted in economic and environmental collaboration between the region’s American and Canadian chief executives.
Naftzger and Johnson described how the Compact was drafted, and what makes it so successful. Through a process including 5 years of talks, 60 public meetings, 13,000 comments, and the legislative procedures of 8 states and Congress, the Great Lakes Compact became state and federal law with over 95% of legislators voting in favor.
Central to this success was the collaborative and inclusive process that shaped the Compact itself. Tribes and First Nations were welcomed as participants at the discussion table, contributing to a stronger, more comprehensive agreement. Naftzger and Johnson noted that a shared understanding of the cultural importance of water and responsible water management brought these groups together.
Building on this theme, Johnson added that while the Compact sets shared, clearly defined goals, “each of the states has taken a different approach” to implementation. The decentralized yet cooperative structure of the Compact allows flexibility and functionality across varied geographic and political landscapes, essential to its success.
Looking ahead, Naftzger and Johnson acknowledged the ever-changing nature of water demand. Especially given the changing electricity production landscape as well as the rise of data centers, the panelists indicated their intent to commission comprehensive water demand forecasts to ensure preparedness.
To conclude their presentation, Naftzger and Johnson highlighted the important role of the Great Lakes Compact in ensuring our water resources are protected. “Our water is arguably our greatest competitive advantage aside from our people,” Naftzger said. Continuing to communicate and work together on agreements like the Great Lakes Compact, is “critical for the region and for our country.”