Congress passes Great Lakes compact

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Legislation passed the U.S. House Tuesday that would boost protections for the Great Lakes and restrict diversions of the water they hold to other places.

The measure is expected to become law because it had already passed the Senate Aug. 1 and President George Bush has indicated he will sign it.

The bill, known as the Great Lakes Compact, also will require states bordering the lakes to adhere to a bevy of new conservation standards, The New York Times reported.

The bill passed the House 390-25.

"Keeping the water in the basin is critical," said Christy Leavitt, a clean-water advocate at Environment America. "But so is requiring all the Great Lakes states to develop conservation and efficiency programs. There is tremendous opportunity in efficiency to save water and the compact will help us reach the potential that's out there."

Andy Buchsbaum, director of the Great Lakes office of the National Wildlife Federation, said his group is "very confident the compact provides iron-clad protections against diversions."