WATER COMPACT The facts

Facts about the proposed Great Lakes water compact:

Signed by region’s governors in December 2005. Needs approval of all eight state legislatures, Congress and U.S. president to take effect.

Ratified by Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, New York, Wisconsin and Ohio. Has been approved by Legislature and awaits governor’s signature in Michigan. Has cleared House and awaits Senate vote in Pennsylvania.

Would require each state to adopt water inventories and conservation plans, and to regulate large-scale withdrawals.

Prohibits new or increased diversions of water to users outside the Great Lakes basin with limited exceptions, including to communities that straddle the basin boundary. Diversions to straddling counties could be vetoed by any Great Lakes state.

Similarly worded agreement has been ratified by Ontario, Quebec.