Great Lakes States Approve Water Deal

"The vast majority of the fresh surface water in the United States may soon be off-limits to thirsty parts of the nation and the world. The eight Great Lakes states are on the verge of sending to Congress an accord that would keep water from being diverted out of the Great Lakes watershed."

"Last Thursday, Pennsylvania's Senate approved the compact and Gov. Ed Rendell has said he plans to sign on, making it the final state to approve the agreement."

"The five Great Lakes — Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario — contain about 90 percent of the fresh surface water in the U.S. and about one-fifth of the entire world's supply. The Great Lakes Water Compact aims to protect the lakes from large-scale water diversions."