Resolution: Water Withdrawal, Consumption, Diversion and Export
Adopted on May 12, 2000

Whereas, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence System constitutes the largest supply of fresh surface water on the face of the earth; and

Whereas, these water resources are a defining characteristic of the region and contribute to its ecological integrity, economic health and quality of life; and

Whereas, the informed use, management and protection of the resource is of highest priority to the Great Lakes Commission and fundamental to its mandate under the provisions of the Great Lakes Basin Compact; and

Whereas, issues associated with water withdrawal, consumption, diversion and export have highlighted the potential vulnerability of the resource to uses that are fundamentally unsuitable and damaging to the ecological integrity and economic health of the region and its residents; and

Whereas, the U.S. and Canadian governments issued a reference to the International Joint Commission to "examine into and report upon matters concerning the use of waters along our common border"; and

Whereas, the International Joint Commission's final report, Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes, has been reviewed by the Great Lakes Commission.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission commends the International Joint Commission for its study and finds its recommendations consistent with the principles espoused by the Great Lakes states and provinces; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission applauds findings and recommendations that:

• acknowledge a primary stewardship responsibility for the states and provinces;
• oppose new bureaucracy, relying instead upon existing institutions for enhanced management capability;
• call for a management process that will lead to a scientifically sound and legally defensible means of decisionmaking on water use proposals;
• recognize the importance of a strengthened decision support system providing necessary data, information and analysis of current and projected water use and associated impacts; and
• support water conservation and long term planning as means to maximize efficiencies and ensure the sustainable use of the resource.

Be It Further Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges its member jurisdictions and the federal governments to carefully consider and address, where possible, recommendations embodied in the report; and

Be it Finally Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission reaffirms its commitment to support, assist and advise its member jurisdictions and the Council of Great Lakes Governors as a management regime for the resource is developed.

Adopted by the unanimous action of the eight member states of the Great Lakes Commission at the 2000 Semiannual Meeting in Duluth, Minnesota on May 12, 2000.