美國國會23日以390對25的高票通過五大湖區的保育專款，確保將永續使用這片覆蓋北美90%的淡水水域。五大湖州政府和環保人士對於國會正視水資源保護，同表讚揚。
目前，五大湖暨聖羅倫斯河流域水資源法案(Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact)已獲得參議院及五大湖所在的每個州議會通過，終於結束長達7年的立法程序。這項提案將再提交布希，兌現他曾經答應將要簽署的允諾。
2005年，五大湖區內的美國8州政府曾和加拿大安大略及魁北克達成一項類似信任協定，希望對五大湖水資源使用計畫提出更好的區域性整合。
這次簽署的法案更加強調水資源需求日增，與汲取湖水的壓力問題。根據法案，日後將禁止再擴增汲取湖水的範圍，不過原本的汲取範圍在多項嚴格條件的限制下，流域附近的社區還是可以使用。
這項有關北美洲水資源利用的法案，是2005年12月由伊利諾州、印第安納州、密西根州、明尼蘇達州、紐約州、俄亥俄州、賓州以及威斯康辛州等州政府所協商，歷時近5年，最後終送至國會立法。
紐約州長派特森(David Paterson)表示：「五大湖法案通過，能確保控管汲取湖水所造成的危害，並為下一代保護這片覆蓋地球1/5淡水水域以及提供90%美國的珍貴淡水。」
這分法案將確保經由永續利用與可信任的水資源管理來維繫五大湖的生態。
各州將依法案的統一標準檢視五大湖流域的水源使用，不過未來還是可視當地政府的水資源管理計畫調整。
法案中也強調將發展區域性水資源保護與成效，每5年檢視實行成果。各州也應主動或依指示發展並實行相關計畫。
朝野在各方面的共識對法案是重要的支持，執政黨和在野黨議員、行政首長、地方政府人員以及資金管理者等等都能投入心力參與計畫。
民眾持續參與亦是法案執行中不可或缺的成份。由各州環境團體聯盟組成的非營利組織環境美國（Environment America）在最近的報告中指出，美國應當將水資源利用的效能列為首要目標，不該一逕地從五大湖和其他水道系統取水。環境美國淨水提倡計畫的李維(Christy Leavitt)表示：「保護五大湖不只是民主黨或共和黨該關注的事，這應是全美國都必須關心的議題。增進使用水的效能，就是發展節水的好方法。」
Great Lakes governors and environmentalists today applauded as the House of Representatives voted 390 to 25 to approve a bill to ensure more sustainable use of the Great Lakes, which contain 90 percent of the fresh surface water in North America.
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact has already been passed by the Senate and individually by the legislatures of each of the Great Lakes states. Today's congressional action completes a seven-year-long legislative approval process.The resolution now goes to President George W. Bush, who has committed to sign it.
The eight Great Lakes states reached a similar, good faith, agreement with Ontario and Quebec in 2005, which the provinces are using to amend their existing water programs for greater regional consistency.
The compact addresses the growing demand for water and the increased pressure to divert water from the lakes. In general, there will be a ban on new diversions of water from the Great Lakes Basin but limited exceptions could be allowed in communities near the Basin when rigorous standards are met.
In December 2005, following a nearly five-year negotiation, the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin reached agreement on the compact. Then the agreement went to the statehouses for their approval.
"Passage of the Great Lakes Compact is central to ensuring that harmful water diversions are controlled and this precious ecosystem is protected for future generations," said New York Governor David Paterson. "The Great Lakes, constituting nearly 20 percent of the world's available fresh water and 90 percent of the United States' supply of fresh surface water, need to be protected and cherished.
Under the compact, economic development will be fostered through sustainable use and responsible management of Great Lakes Basin waters.
The states will use a consistent standard to review proposed uses of Basin water, yet the states will have flexibility regarding their water management programs and how to apply this standard.
Regional goals and objectives for water conservation and efficiency will be developed, and they will be reviewed every five years. Each state will develop and implement a water conservation and efficiency program that may be voluntary or mandatory.
A broad, bi-partisan consensus has been built in support of the compact. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, mayors, local government officials and stakeholders have all been instrumental.
There is a strong commitment to continued public involvement in the implementation of the compact.
A recent Environment America report shows that America should turn to water efficiency first rather than draining more water from the Great Lakes and other waterways.
"Protecting the Great Lakes is not a Democratic or Republican interest - it's an American interest," said Leavitt. "The opportunity to save water through increased efficiency is tremendous."
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