After years of negotiations, Ohio becomes the sixth state to join the compact. The measure promotes conservation of the fresh water lakes, and stops diversions without the approval of all Great Lakes states. The compact passed in Ohio after state lawmakers reached a compromise to secure private property rights for owners of nearby wells and lakes.
Legislators agreed to let Ohio residents vote in November on an amendment guaranteeing the rights. Chesterland-area state representative Matt Dolan was the bill's chief sponsor.
DOLAN: This constitutional amendment is a further layering of protection for the property rights.
The compact still needs to be ratified by the U.S. Congress.
Outside the Midwest, many other states are working on their own water compacts that need to be approved in Washington as well. Dolan says that should make the Great Lakes compact an easy sell.
DOLAN: There's not going to be a whole lot of interest for western, southern, and southwestern representatives in congress to monkey with our compact because they know that their water compacts are in play too.
The last hurdle before it gets to Congress is for the compact to be approved by state legislatures in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Legislation is pending in both those states.