Bush Signs Great Lakes Compact

President Bush has signed the compact designed to prevent Great Lakes water from being sent to thirsty areas while requiring the region's eight states to regulate their own water use. It was the final step in pursuit of stronger legal protections against diverting water from the system consisting of the five lakes, their connecting channels and the St. Lawrence River. They contain nearly 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water and supply eight states and two Canadian provinces, which have a combined population of roughly 40 million.