Wisconsin passed the Great Lakes Compact last Tuesday and now joins four other U.S. states and two Canadian Provinces in the agreement. Gov. Jim Doyle signed the document after receiving overwhelming support from both the Senate and Assembly.

This compact protects the Great Lakes from water export beyond their natural basins. If left unchecked the Great Lakes levels would deplete beyond reckoning, thus hindering ecosystems, economies, and cultures that depend on the water.  

For well over a year, this bipartisan effort has been tangled in interpretations of the compact’s language. For example, “straddling” cities like New Berlin reside partially in the Great Lakes basin, and lawmakers disagreed on whether or not the entire city could receive water.

Doyle called a special session to address these concerns in April. Check out thisvideo to learn more about the issue.