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Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. praised the Wisconsin State Senate for ratifying the Great Lakes Compact today. The Senate passed the measure 32-1. The compact goes next to the state Assembly.
“I want to commend the Wisconsin State Senate for taking this important step to protect our Great Lakes,” said Kagen. “In Wisconsin, we have a tradition of environmental stewardship and today we continue to follow in that tradition. Healthy water means healthy people and we are guaranteeing a healthy future for our Great Lakes.”
The compact is designed to block arid states from taking water out of the Great Lakes. It needs to be approved by all eight Great Lake states and the U.S. Congress before it takes effect. Four states have approved the deal so far.
“Ratifying the Great Lakes Compact was discussed at length at my field hearing last month in Green Bay. I am working hard at the federal level and with our state and local leaders, the Army Corps of Engineers and the conservation community to do what is necessary to make certain our natural resources can be enjoyed by our children and grandchildren,” said Kagen.
Congressman Kagen welcomed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to Green Bay on April 18, 2008 for a field hearing on the health of the Great Lakes. State Senators Rob Cowles and Dave Hansen testified before the committee.
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