You know what they say about imitation and flattery.
In 2007, Minnesota led the effort to provide uniform protection for new or expanding water usage within the Great Lakes basin, by being the first state in the region to endorse the Great Lakes Compact.
Great Lakes states Illinois, New York, Indiana, and Wisconsin followed our lead. Canadian provinces Ontario and Quebec have also approved the compact.
And now Ohio is close to being the sixth state to adopt the compact!
On June 10, the Ohio Legislature unanimously approved HB. 416, that would ratify the Great Lakes compact. The bill will go to Governor Ted Strickland, who has said he will sign it.
For more information about the Compact, go to the Great Lakes Commission website.
And for ideas on how YOU can help protect our Great Lakes, check out HealthyLakes.org