The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact - Fall

Advisor: Tanya Heikkila

This project analyzes the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and proposes an implementation strategy for New York State. The Compact represents a regional agreement among eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces aimed at protecting the Great Lakes Basin from unsustainable water withdrawals and diversions. The Great Lakes contain approximately 21 percent of the world’s surface freshwater and represent a critical ecological and economic resource for North America. However, increasing water demand, climate variability, and growing concerns about water transfers outside the basin have raised significant policy challenges. The Compact seeks to address these concerns by establishing a coordinated management framework that regulates water withdrawals, limits diversions, and promotes sustainable water use throughout the region.

The report develops a first-year implementation plan for integrating the Compact into the operations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The proposed strategy focuses on strengthening the existing Great Lakes Program by expanding staff capacity, creating a water quantity advisory committee, and establishing a comprehensive database to track water withdrawals and lake levels. The implementation plan outlines organizational structures, budget requirements, and performance evaluation systems designed to ensure effective oversight of water use within the state. Additional objectives include establishing water efficiency goals and clarifying permitting procedures for water withdrawals. By providing a detailed operational framework, the report demonstrates how regional governance mechanisms can protect shared freshwater resources while balancing environmental sustainability with economic and community needs.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.