Wisconsin - State slow to act on Great Lakes compact

Water officials in other Upper Midwest states are watching Wisconsin with some concern as the state debates whether to sign on to a compact that would regulate withdrawal of water from the Great Lakes and ban pumping water out of the region.

"The quicker we can get this passed, the quicker we can get it to Congress, " said Ken DeBeaussaert, director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes in Lansing.

DeBeaussaert said bills proposing approval of the compact have been introduced in both houses of the Michigan Legislature and have broad bipartisan support. The compact has been approved by Illinois and Minnesota. Wisconsin is the only one of the eight Great Lakes states considering the compact in which supporting legislation has not been introduced.

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