Public Act 095-0238
 
HB0375 Enrolled LRB095 05252 BDD 25329 b

    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Great
Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact Act.
 
    Section 5. Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water
Resources Compact. The Governor of this State is authorized to
take such action as may be necessary and proper in his or her
discretion to effectuate the following Compact and the initial
organization and operation thereunder:
 
AGREEMENT

 
    Section 1. The states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin and the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania hereby solemnly covenant and agree with each
other, upon enactment of concurrent legislation by the
respective state legislatures and consent by the Congress of
the United States as follows:
 
GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN WATER RESOURCES
COMPACT

 
ARTICLE 1
SHORT TITLE, DEFINITIONS, PURPOSES AND DURATION

 
    Section 1.1. Short Title. This Act shall be known and may
be cited as the "Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water
Resources Compact."
 
    Section 1.2. Definitions. For the purposes of this Compact,
and of any supplemental or concurring legislation enacted
pursuant thereto, except as may be otherwise required by the
context:
    Adaptive Management means a Water resources management
system that provides a systematic process for evaluation,
monitoring and learning from the outcomes of operational
programs and adjustment of policies, plans and programs based
on experience and the evolution of scientific knowledge
concerning Water resources and Water Dependent Natural
Resources.
    Agreement means the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
Sustainable Water Resources Agreement.
    Applicant means a Person who is required to submit a
Proposal that is subject to management and regulation under
this Compact. Application has a corresponding meaning.
    Basin or Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin means the
watershed of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River
upstream from Trois-Rivières, Québec within the jurisdiction
of the Parties.
    Basin Ecosystem or Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
Ecosystem means the interacting components of air, land, Water
and living organisms, including humankind, within the Basin.
    Community within a Straddling County means any
incorporated city, town or the equivalent thereof, that is
located outside the Basin but wholly within a County that lies
partly within the Basin and that is not a Straddling Community.
    Compact means this Compact.
    Consumptive Use means that portion of the Water Withdrawn
or withheld from the Basin that is lost or otherwise not
returned to the Basin due to evaporation, incorporation into
Products, or other processes.
    Council means the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
Water Resources Council, created by this Compact.
    Council Review means the collective review by the Council
members as described in Article 4 of this Compact.
    County means the largest territorial division for local
government in a State. The County boundaries shall be defined
as those boundaries that exist as of December 13, 2005.
    Cumulative Impacts mean the impact on the Basin Ecosystem
that results from incremental effects of all aspects of a
Withdrawal, Diversion or Consumptive Use in addition to other
past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future Withdrawals,
Diversions and Consumptive Uses regardless of who undertakes
the other Withdrawals, Diversions and Consumptive Uses.
Cumulative Impacts can result from individually minor but
collectively significant Withdrawals, Diversions and
Consumptive Uses taking place over a period of time.
    Decision-Making Standard means the decision-making
standard established by Section 4.11 for Proposals subject to
management and regulation in Section 4.10.
    Diversion means a transfer of Water from the Basin into
another watershed, or from the watershed of one of the Great
Lakes into that of another by any means of transfer, including
but not limited to a pipeline, canal, tunnel, aqueduct,
channel, modification of the direction of a water course, a
tanker ship, tanker truck or rail tanker but does not apply to
Water that is used in the Basin or a Great Lake watershed to
manufacture or produce a Product that is then transferred out
of the Basin or watershed. Divert has a corresponding meaning.
    Environmentally Sound and Economically Feasible Water
Conservation Measures mean those measures, methods,
technologies or practices for efficient water use and for
reduction of water loss and waste or for reducing a Withdrawal,
Consumptive Use or Diversion that (i) are environmentally
sound, (ii) reflect best practices applicable to the water use
sector, (iii) are technically feasible and available, (iv) are
economically feasible and cost effective based on an analysis
that considers direct and avoided economic and environmental
costs and (v) consider the particular facilities and processes
involved, taking into account the environmental impact, age of
equipment and facilities involved, the processes employed,
energy impacts and other appropriate factors.
    Exception means a transfer of Water that is excepted under
Section 4.9 from the prohibition against Diversions in Section
4.8.
    Exception Standard means the standard for Exceptions
established in Section 4.9.4.
    Intra-Basin Transfer means the transfer of Water from the
watershed of one of the Great Lakes into the watershed of
another Great Lake.
    Measures means any legislation, law, regulation,
directive, requirement, guideline, program, policy,
administrative practice or other procedure.
    New or Increased Diversion means a new Diversion, an
increase in an existing Diversion, or the alteration of an
existing Withdrawal so that it becomes a Diversion.
    New or Increased Withdrawal or Consumptive Use means a new
Withdrawal or Consumptive Use or an increase in an existing
Withdrawal or Consumptive Use.
    Originating Party means the Party within whose
jurisdiction an Application or registration is made or
required.
    Party means a State party to this Compact.
    Person means a human being or a legal person, including a
government or a non-governmental organization, including any
scientific, professional, business, non-profit, or public
interest organization or association that is neither
affiliated with, nor under the direction of a government.
    Product means something produced in the Basin by human or
mechanical effort or through agricultural processes and used in
manufacturing, commercial or other processes or intended for
intermediate or end use consumers. (i) Water used as part of
the packaging of a Product shall be considered to be part of
the Product. (ii) Other than Water used as part of the
packaging of a Product, Water that is used primarily to
transport materials in or out of the Basin is not a Product or
part of a Product. (iii) Except as provided in (i) above, Water
which is transferred as part of a public or private supply is
not a Product or part of a Product. (iv) Water in its natural
state such as in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, aquifers, or water
basins is not a Product.
    Proposal means a Withdrawal, Diversion or Consumptive Use
of Water that is subject to this Compact.
    Province means Ontario or Québec.
    Public Water Supply Purposes means water distributed to the
public through a physically connected system of treatment,
storage and distribution facilities serving a group of largely
residential customers that may also serve industrial,
commercial, and other institutional operators. Water Withdrawn
directly from the Basin and not through such a system shall not
be considered to be used for Public Water Supply Purposes.
    Regional Body means the members of the Council and the
Premiers of Ontario and Québec or their designee as established
by the Agreement.
    Regional Review means the collective review by the Regional
Body as described in Article 4 of this Compact.
    Source Watershed means the watershed from which a
Withdrawal originates. If Water is Withdrawn directly from a
Great Lake or from the St. Lawrence River, then the Source
Watershed shall be considered to be the watershed of that Great
Lake or the watershed of the St. Lawrence River, respectively.
If Water is Withdrawn from the watershed of a stream that is a
direct tributary to a Great Lake or a direct tributary to the
St. Lawrence River, then the Source Watershed shall be
considered to be the watershed of that Great Lake or the
watershed of the St. Lawrence River, respectively, with a
preference to the direct tributary stream watershed from which
it was Withdrawn.
    Standard of Review and Decision means the Exception
Standard, Decision-Making Standard and reviews as outlined in
Article 4 of this Compact.
    State means one of the states of Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio or Wisconsin or the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
    Straddling Community means any incorporated city, town or
the equivalent thereof, wholly within any County that lies
partly or completely within the Basin, whose corporate boundary
existing as of the effective date of this Compact, is partly
within the Basin or partly within two Great Lakes watersheds.
    Technical Review means a detailed review conducted to
determine whether or not a Proposal that requires Regional
Review under this Compact meets the Standard of Review and
Decision following procedures and guidelines as set out in this
Compact.
    Water means ground or surface water contained within the
Basin.
    Water Dependent Natural Resources means the interacting
components of land, Water and living organisms affected by the
Waters of the Basin.
    Waters of the Basin or Basin Water means the Great Lakes
and all streams, rivers, lakes, connecting channels and other
bodies of water, including tributary groundwater, within the
Basin.
    Withdrawal means the taking of water from surface water or
groundwater. Withdraw has a corresponding meaning.
 
    Section 1.3. Findings and Purposes. The legislative bodies
of the respective Parties hereby find and declare:
    1. Findings:
        a. The Waters of the Basin are precious public natural
    resources shared and held in trust by the States;
        b. The Waters of the Basin are interconnected and part
    of a single hydrologic system;
        c. The Waters of the Basin can concurrently serve
    multiple uses. Such multiple uses include municipal,
    public, industrial, commercial, agriculture, mining,
    navigation, energy development and production, recreation,
    the subsistence, economic and cultural activities of
    native peoples, Water quality maintenance, and the
    maintenance of fish and wildlife habitat and a balanced
    ecosystem. And, other purposes are encouraged, recognizing
    that such uses are interdependent and must be balanced;
        d. Future Diversions and Consumptive Uses of Basin
    Water resources have the potential to significantly impact
    the environment, economy and welfare of the Great Lakes-St.
    Lawrence River region;
        e. Continued sustainable, accessible and adequate
    Water supplies for the people and economy of the Basin are
    of vital importance; and,
        f. The Parties have a shared duty to protect, conserve,
    restore, improve and manage the renewable but finite Waters
    of the Basin for the use, benefit and enjoyment of all
    their citizens, including generations yet to come. The most
    effective means of protecting, conserving, restoring,
    improving and managing the Basin Waters is through the
    joint pursuit of unified and cooperative principles,
    policies and programs mutually agreed upon, enacted and
    adhered to by all Parties.
    2. Purposes:
        a. To act together to protect, conserve, restore,
    improve and effectively manage the Waters and Water
    Dependent Natural Resources of the Basin under appropriate
    arrangements for intergovernmental cooperation and
    consultation because current lack of full scientific
    certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing
    measures to protect the Basin Ecosystem;
        b. To remove causes of present and future
    controversies;
        c. To provide for cooperative planning and action by
    the Parties with respect to such Water resources;
        d. To facilitate consistent approaches to Water
    management across the Basin while retaining State
    management authority over Water management decisions
    within the Basin;
        e. To facilitate the exchange of data, strengthen the
    scientific information base upon which decisions are made
    and engage in consultation on the potential effects of
    proposed Withdrawals and losses on the Waters and Water
    Dependent Natural Resources of the Basin;
        f. To prevent significant adverse impacts of
    Withdrawals and losses on the Basin's ecosystems and
    watersheds;
        g. To promote interstate and State-Provincial comity;
    and,
        h. To promote an Adaptive Management approach to the
    conservation and management of Basin Water resources,
    which recognizes, considers and provides adjustments for
    the uncertainties in, and evolution of, scientific
    knowledge concerning the Basin's Waters and Water
    Dependent Natural Resources.
 
    Section 1.4. Science.
    1. The Parties commit to provide leadership for the
development of a collaborative strategy with other regional
partners to strengthen the scientific basis for sound Water
management decision making under this Compact.
    2. The strategy shall guide the collection and application
of scientific information to support:
        a. An improved understanding of the individual and
    Cumulative Impacts of Withdrawals from various locations
    and Water sources on the Basin Ecosystem and to develop a
    mechanism by which impacts of Withdrawals may be assessed;
        b. The periodic assessment of Cumulative Impacts of
    Withdrawals, Diversions and Consumptive Uses on a Great
    Lake and St. Lawrence River watershed basis;
        c. Improved scientific understanding of the Waters of
    the Basin;
        d. Improved understanding of the role of groundwater in
    Basin Water resources management; and,
        e. The development, transfer and application of
    science and research related to Water conservation and
    Water use efficiency.
 
ARTICLE 2
ORGANIZATION

 
    Section 2.1. Council Created.
    The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources
Council is hereby created as a body politic and corporate, with
succession for the duration of this Compact, as an agency and
instrumentality of the governments of the respective Parties.
 
    Section 2.2. Council Membership.
    The Council shall consist of the Governors of the Parties,
ex officio.
 
    Section 2.3. Alternates.
    Each member of the Council shall appoint at least one
alternate who may act in his or her place and stead, with
authority to attend all meetings of the Council and with power
to vote in the absence of the member. Unless otherwise provided
by law of the Party for which he or she is appointed, each
alternate shall serve during the term of the member appointing
him or her, subject to removal at the pleasure of the member.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of alternate, it shall
be filled in the same manner as an original appointment for the
unexpired term only.
 
    Section 2.4. Voting.
    1. Each member is entitled to one vote on all matters that
may come before the Council.
    2. Unless otherwise stated, the rule of decision shall be
by a simple majority.
    3. The Council shall annually adopt a budget for each
fiscal year and the amount required to balance the budget shall
be apportioned equitably among the Parties by unanimous vote of
the Council. The appropriation of such amounts shall be subject
to such review and approval as may be required by the budgetary
processes of the respective Parties.
    4. The participation of Council members from a majority of
the Parties shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at any meeting of the Council.
 
    Section 2.5. Organization and Procedure.
    The Council shall provide for its own organization and
procedure, and may adopt rules and regulations governing its
meetings and transactions, as well as the procedures and
timeline for submission, review and consideration of Proposals
that come before the Council for its review and action. The
Council shall organize, annually, by the election of a Chair
and Vice Chair from among its members. Each member may appoint
an advisor, who may attend all meetings of the Council and its
committees, but shall not have voting power. The Council may
employ or appoint professional and administrative personnel,
including an Executive Director, as it may deem advisable, to
carry out the purposes of this Compact.
 
    Section 2.6. Use of Existing Offices and Agencies.
    It is the policy of the Parties to preserve and utilize the
functions, powers and duties of existing offices and agencies
of government to the extent consistent with this Compact.
Further, the Council shall promote and aid the coordination of
the activities and programs of the Parties concerned with Water
resources management in the Basin. To this end, but without
limitation, the Council may:
    1. Advise, consult, contract, assist or otherwise
cooperate with any and all such agencies;
    2. Employ any other agency or instrumentality of any of the
Parties for any purpose; and,
    3. Develop and adopt plans consistent with the Water
resources plans of the Parties.
 
    Section 2.7. Jurisdiction.
    The Council shall have, exercise and discharge its
functions, powers and duties within the limits of the Basin.
Outside the Basin, it may act in its discretion, but only to
the extent such action may be necessary or convenient to
effectuate or implement its powers or responsibilities within
the Basin and subject to the consent of the jurisdiction
wherein it proposes to act.
 
    Section 2.8. Status, Immunities and Privileges.
    1. The Council, its members and personnel in their official
capacity and when engaged directly in the affairs of the
Council, its property and its assets, wherever located and by
whomsoever held, shall enjoy the same immunity from suit and
every form of judicial process as is enjoyed by the Parties,
except to the extent that the Council may expressly waive its
immunity for the purposes of any proceedings or by the terms of
any contract.
    2. The property and assets of the Council, wherever located
and by whomsoever held, shall be considered public property and
shall be immune from search, requisition, confiscation,
expropriation or any other form of taking or foreclosure by
executive or legislative action.
    3. The Council, its property and its assets, income and the
operations it carries out pursuant to this Compact shall be
immune from all taxation by or under the authority of any of
the Parties or any political subdivision thereof; provided,
however, that in lieu of property taxes the Council may make
reasonable payments to local taxing districts in annual amounts
which shall approximate the taxes lawfully assessed upon
similar property.
 
    Section 2.9. Advisory Committees.
    The Council may constitute and empower advisory
committees, which may be comprised of representatives of the
public and of federal, State, tribal, county and local
governments, water resources agencies, water-using industries
and sectors, water-interest groups and academic experts in
related fields.
 
ARTICLE 3
GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES

 
    Section 3.1. General.
    The Waters and Water Dependent Natural Resources of the
Basin are subject to the sovereign right and responsibilities
of the Parties, and it is the purpose of this Compact to
provide for joint exercise of such powers of sovereignty by the
Council in the common interests of the people of the region, in
the manner and to the extent provided in this Compact. The
Council and the Parties shall use the Standard of Review and
Decision and procedures contained in or adopted pursuant to
this Compact as the means to exercise their authority under
this Compact.
    The Council may revise the Standard of Review and Decision,
after consultation with the Provinces and upon unanimous vote
of all Council members, by regulation duly adopted in
accordance with Section 3.3 of this Compact and in accordance
with each Party's respective statutory authorities and
applicable procedures.
    The Council shall identify priorities and develop plans and
policies relating to Basin Water resources. It shall adopt and
promote uniform and coordinated policies for Water resources
conservation and management in the Basin.
 
    Section 3.2. Council Powers.
    The Council may: plan; conduct research and collect,
compile, analyze, interpret, report and disseminate data on
Water resources and uses; forecast Water levels; conduct
investigations; institute court actions; design, acquire,
construct, reconstruct, own, operate, maintain, control, sell
and convey real and personal property and any interest therein
as it may deem necessary, useful or convenient to carry out the
purposes of this Compact; make contracts; receive and accept
such payments, appropriations, grants, gifts, loans, advances
and other funds, properties and services as may be transferred
or made available to it by any Party or by any other public or
private agency, corporation or individual; and, exercise such
other and different powers as may be delegated to it by this
Compact or otherwise pursuant to law, and have and exercise all
powers necessary or convenient to carry out its express powers
or which may be reasonably implied therefrom.
 
    Section 3.3. Rules and Regulations.
    1. The Council may promulgate and enforce such rules and
regulations as may be necessary for the implementation and
enforcement of this Compact. The Council may adopt by
regulation, after public notice and public hearing, reasonable
Application fees with respect to those Proposals for Exceptions
that are subject to Council review under Section 4.9. Any rule
or regulation of the Council, other than one which deals solely
with the internal management of the Council or its property,
shall be adopted only after public notice and hearing.
    2. Each Party, in accordance with its respective statutory
authorities and applicable procedures, may adopt and enforce
rules and regulations to implement and enforce this Compact and
the programs adopted by such Party to carry out the management
programs contemplated by this Compact.
 
    Section 3.4. Program Review and Findings.
    1. Each Party shall submit a report to the Council and the
Regional Body detailing its Water management and conservation
and efficiency programs that implement this Compact. The report
shall set out the manner in which Water Withdrawals are managed
by sector, Water source, quantity or any other means, and how
the provisions of the Standard of Review and Decision and
conservation and efficiency programs are implemented. The
first report shall be provided by each Party one year from the
effective date of this Compact and thereafter every 5 years.
    2. The Council, in cooperation with the Provinces, shall
review its Water management and conservation and efficiency
programs and those of the Parties that are established in this
Compact and make findings on whether the Water management
program provisions in this Compact are being met, and if not,
recommend options to assist the Parties in meeting the
provisions of this Compact. Such review shall take place:
        a. 30 days after the first report is submitted by all
    Parties; and,
        b. Every five years after the effective date of this
    Compact; and,
        c. At any other time at the request of one of the
    Parties.
    3. As one of its duties and responsibilities, the Council
may recommend a range of approaches to the Parties with respect
to the development, enhancement and application of Water
management and conservation and efficiency programs to
implement the Standard of Review and Decision reflecting
improved scientific understanding of the Waters of the Basin,
including groundwater, and the impacts of Withdrawals on the
Basin Ecosystem.
 
ARTICLE 4
WATER MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION

 
    Section 4.1. Water Resources Inventory, Registration and
Reporting.
    1. Within five years of the effective date of this Compact,
each Party shall develop and maintain a Water resources
inventory for the collection, interpretation, storage,
retrieval exchange, and dissemination of information
concerning the Water resources of the Party, including, but not
limited to, information on the location, type, quantity, and
use of those resources and the location, type, and quantity of
Withdrawals, Diversions and Consumptive Uses. To the extent
feasible, the Water resources inventory shall be developed in
cooperation with local, State, federal, tribal and other
private agencies and entities, as well as the Council. Each
Party's agencies shall cooperate with that Party in the
development and maintenance of the inventory.
    2. The Council shall assist each Party to develop a common
base of data regarding the management of the Water Resources of
the Basin and to establish systematic arrangements for the
exchange of those data with other States and Provinces.
    3. To develop and maintain a compatible base of Water use
information, within five years of the effective date of this
Compact any Person who Withdraws Water in an amount of 100,000
gallons per day or greater average in any 30-day period
(including Consumptive Uses) from all sources, or Diverts Water
of any amount, shall register the Withdrawal or Diversion by a
date set by the Council unless the Person has previously
registered in accordance with an existing State program. The
Person shall register the Withdrawal or Diversion with the
Originating Party using a form prescribed by the Originating
Party that shall include, at a minimum and without limitation:
the name and address of the registrant and date of
registration; the locations and sources of the Withdrawal or
Diversion; the capacity of the Withdrawal or Diversion per day
and the amount Withdrawn or Diverted from each source; the uses
made of the Water; places of use and places of discharge; and,
such other information as the Originating Party may require.
All registrations shall include an estimate of the volume of
the Withdrawal or Diversion in terms of gallons per day average
in any 30-day period.
    4. All registrants shall annually report the monthly
volumes of the Withdrawal, Consumptive Use and Diversion in
gallons to the Originating Party and any other information
requested by the Originating Party.
    5. Each Party shall annually report the information
gathered pursuant to this Section to a Great Lakes-St. Lawrence
River Water use data base repository and aggregated information
shall be made publicly available, consistent with the
confidentiality requirements in Section 8.3.
    6. Information gathered by the Parties pursuant to this
Section shall be used to improve the sources and applications
of scientific information regarding the Waters of the Basin and
the impacts of the Withdrawals and Diversions from various
locations and Water sources on the Basin Ecosystem, and to
better understand the role of groundwater in the Basin. The
Council and the Parties shall coordinate the collection and
application of scientific information to further develop a
mechanism by which individual and Cumulative Impacts of
Withdrawals, Consumptive Uses and Diversions shall be
assessed.
 
    Section 4.2. Water Conservation and Efficiency Programs.
    1. The Council commits to identify, in cooperation with the
Provinces, Basin-wide Water conservation and efficiency
objectives to assist the Parties in developing their Water
conservation and efficiency program. These objectives are
based on the goals of:
        a. Ensuring improvement of the Waters and Water
    Dependent Natural Resources;
        b. Protecting and restoring the hydrologic and
    ecosystem integrity of the Basin;
        c. Retaining the quantity of surface water and
    groundwater in the Basin;
        d. Ensuring sustainable use of Waters of the Basin;
    and,
        e. Promoting the efficiency of use and reducing losses
    and waste of Water.
    2. Within two years of the effective date of this Compact,
each Party shall develop its own Water conservation and
efficiency goals and objectives consistent with the Basin-wide
goals and objectives, and shall develop and implement a Water
conservation and efficiency program, either voluntary or
mandatory, within its jurisdiction based on the Party's goals
and objectives. Each Party shall annually assess its programs
in meeting the Party's goals and objectives, report to the
Council and the Regional Body and make this annual assessment
available to the public.
    3. Beginning five years after the effective date of this
Compact, and every five years thereafter, the Council, in
cooperation with the Provinces, shall review and modify as
appropriate the Basin-wide objectives, and the Parties shall
have regard for any such modifications in implementing their
programs. This assessment will be based on examining new
technologies, new patterns of Water use, new resource demands
and threats, and Cumulative Impact assessment under Section
4.15.
    4. Within two years of the effective date of this Compact,
the Parties commit to promote Environmentally Sound and
Economically Feasible Water Conservation Measures such as:
        a. Measures that promote efficient use of Water;
        b. Identification and sharing of best management
    practices and state of the art conservation and efficiency
    technologies;
        c. Application of sound planning principles;
        d. Demand-side and supply-side Measures or incentives;
    and,
        e. Development, transfer and application of science
    and research.
    5. Each Party shall implement in accordance with paragraph
2 above a voluntary or mandatory Water conservation program for
all, including existing, Basin Water users. Conservation
programs need to adjust to new demands and the potential
impacts of cumulative effects and climate.
 
    Section 4.3. Party Powers and Duties.
    1. Each Party, within its jurisdiction, shall manage and
regulate New or Increased Withdrawals, Consumptive Uses and
Diversions, including Exceptions, in accordance with this
Compact.
    2. Each Party shall require an Applicant to submit an
Application in such manner and with such accompanying
information as the Party shall prescribe.
    3. No Party may approve a Proposal if the Party determines
that the Proposal is inconsistent with this Compact or the
Standard of Review and Decision or any implementing rules or
regulations promulgated thereunder. The Party may approve,
approve with modifications or disapprove any Proposal
depending on the Proposal's consistency with this Compact and
the Standard of Review and Decision.
    4. Each Party shall monitor the implementation of any
approved Proposal to ensure consistency with the approval and
may take all necessary enforcement actions.
    5. No Party shall approve a Proposal subject to Council or
Regional Review, or both, pursuant to this Compact unless it
shall have been first submitted to and reviewed by either the
Council or Regional Body, or both, and approved by the Council,
as applicable. Sufficient opportunity shall be provided for
comment on the Proposal's consistency with this Compact and the
Standard of Review and Decision. All such comments shall become
part of the Party's formal record of decision, and the Party
shall take into consideration any such comments received.
 
    Section 4.4. Requirement for Originating Party Approval.
    No Proposal subject to management and regulation under this
Compact shall hereafter be undertaken by any Person unless it
shall have been approved by the Originating Party.
 
    Section 4.5. Regional Review.
    1. General.
        a. It is the intention of the Parties to participate in
    Regional Review of Proposals with the Provinces, as
    described in this Compact and the Agreement.
        b. Unless the Applicant or the Originating Party
    otherwise requests, it shall be the goal of the Regional
    Body to conclude its review no later than 90 days after
    notice under Section 4.5.2 of such Proposal is received
    from the Originating Party.
        c. Proposals for Exceptions subject to Regional Review
    shall be submitted by the Originating Party to the Regional
    Body for Regional Review, and where applicable, to the
    Council for concurrent review.
        d. The Parties agree that the protection of the
    integrity of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
    Ecosystem shall be the overarching principle for reviewing
    Proposals subject to Regional Review, recognizing
    uncertainties with respect to demands that may be placed on
    Basin Water, including groundwater, levels and flows of the
    Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, future changes in
    environmental conditions, the reliability of existing data
    and the extent to which Diversions may harm the integrity
    of the Basin Ecosystem.
        e. The Originating Party shall have lead
    responsibility for coordinating information for resolution
    of issues related to evaluation of a Proposal, and shall
    consult with the Applicant throughout the Regional Review
    Process.
        f. A majority of the members of the Regional Body may
    request Regional Review of a regionally significant or
    potentially precedent setting Proposal. Such Regional
    Review must be conducted, to the extent possible, within
    the time frames set forth in this Section. Any such
    Regional Review shall be undertaken only after consulting
    the Applicant.
    2. Notice from Originating Party to the Regional Body.
        a. The Originating Party shall determine if a Proposal
    is subject to Regional Review. If so, the Originating Party
    shall provide timely notice to the Regional Body and the
    public.
        b. Such notice shall not be given unless and until all
    information, documents and the Originating Party's
    Technical Review needed to evaluate whether the Proposal
    meets the Standard of Review and Decision have been
    provided.
        c. An Originating Party may:
            i. Provide notice to the Regional Body of an
        Application, even if notification is not required; or,
            ii. Request Regional Review of an application,
        even if Regional Review is not required. Any such
        Regional Review shall be undertaken only after
        consulting the Applicant.
        d. An Originating Party may provide preliminary notice
    of a potential Proposal.
    3. Public Participation.
        a. To ensure adequate public participation, the
    Regional Body shall adopt procedures for the review of
    Proposals that are subject to Regional Review in accordance
    with this Article.
        b. The Regional Body shall provide notice to the public
    of a Proposal undergoing Regional Review. Such notice shall
    indicate that the public has an opportunity to comment in
    writing to the Regional Body on whether the Proposal meets
    the Standard of Review and Decision.
        c. The Regional Body shall hold a public meeting in the
    State or Province of the Originating Party in order to
    receive public comment on the issue of whether the Proposal
    under consideration meets the Standard of Review and
    Decision.
        d. The Regional Body shall consider the comments
    received before issuing a Declaration of Finding.
        e. The Regional Body shall forward the comments it
    receives to the Originating Party.
    4. Technical Review.
        a. The Originating Party shall provide the Regional
    Body with its Technical Review of the Proposal under
    consideration.
        b. The Originating Party's Technical Review shall
    thoroughly analyze the Proposal and provide an evaluation
    of the Proposal sufficient for a determination of whether
    the Proposal meets the Standard of Review and Decision.
        c. Any member of the Regional Body may conduct their
    own Technical Review of any Proposal subject to Regional
    Review.
        d. At the request of the majority of its members, the
    Regional Body shall make such arrangements as it considers
    appropriate for an independent Technical Review of a
    Proposal.
        e. All Parties shall exercise their best efforts to
    ensure that a Technical Review undertaken under Sections
    4.5.4.c and 4.5.4.d does not unnecessarily delay the
    decision by the Originating Party on the Application.
    Unless the Applicant or the Originating Party otherwise
    requests, all Technical Reviews shall be completed no later
    than 60 days after the date the notice of the Proposal was
    given to the Regional Body.
    5. Declaration of Finding.
        a. The Regional Body shall meet to consider a Proposal.
    The Applicant shall be provided with an opportunity to
    present the Proposal to the Regional Body at such time.
        b. The Regional Body, having considered the notice, the
    Originating Party's Technical Review, any other
    independent Technical Review that is made, any comments or
    objections including the analysis of comments made by the
    public, First Nations and federally recognized Tribes, and
    any other information that is provided under this Compact
    shall issue a Declaration of Finding that the Proposal
    under consideration:
            i. Meets the Standard of Review and Decision;
            ii. Does not meet the Standard of Review and
        Decision; or,
            iii. Would meet the Standard of Review and Decision
        if certain conditions were met.
         c. An Originating Party may decline to participate in
    a Declaration of Finding made by the Regional Body.
        d. The Parties recognize and affirm that it is
    preferable for all members of the Regional Body to agree
    whether the Proposal meets the Standard of Review and
    Decision.
        e. If the members of the Regional Body who participate
    in the Declaration of Finding all agree, they shall issue a
    written Declaration of Finding with consensus.
        f. In the event that the members cannot agree, the
    Regional Body shall make every reasonable effort to achieve
    consensus within 25 days.
        g. Should consensus not be achieved, the Regional Body
    may issue a Declaration of Finding that presents different
    points of view and indicates each Party's conclusions.
        h. The Regional Body shall release the Declarations of
    Finding to the public.
        i. The Originating Party and the Council shall consider
    the Declaration of Finding before making a decision on the
    Proposal.
 
    Section 4.6. Proposals Subject to Prior Notice.
    1. Beginning no later than five years of the effective date
of this Compact, the Originating Party shall provide all
Parties and the Provinces with detailed and timely notice and
an opportunity to comment within 90 days on any Proposal for a
New or Increased Consumptive Use of 5 million gallons per day
or greater average in any 90-day period. Comments shall address
whether or not the Proposal is consistent with the Standard of
Review and Decision. The Originating Party shall provide a
response to any such comment received from another Party.
    2. A Party may provide notice, an opportunity to comment
and a response to comments even if this is not required under
paragraph 1 of this Section. Any provision of such notice and
opportunity to comment shall be undertaken only after
consulting the Applicant.
 
    Section 4.7. Council Actions.
    1. Proposals for Exceptions subject to Council Review shall
be submitted by the Originating Party to the Council for
Council Review, and where applicable, to the Regional Body for
concurrent review.
    2. The Council shall review and take action on Proposals in
accordance with this Compact and the Standard of Review and
Decision. The Council shall not take action on a Proposal
subject to Regional Review pursuant to this Compact unless the
Proposal shall have been first submitted to and reviewed by the
Regional Body. The Council shall consider any findings
resulting from such review.
 
    Section 4.8. Prohibition of New or Increased Diversions.
    All New or Increased Diversions are prohibited, except as
provided for in this Article.
 
    Section 4.9. Exceptions to the Prohibition of Diversions.
    1. Straddling Communities. A Proposal to transfer Water to
an area within a Straddling Community but outside the Basin or
outside the source Great Lake Watershed shall be excepted from
the prohibition against Diversions and be managed and regulated
by the Originating Party provided that, regardless of the
volume of Water transferred, all the Water so transferred shall
be used solely for Public Water Supply Purposes within the
Straddling Community, and:
        a. All Water Withdrawn from the Basin shall be
    returned, either naturally or after use, to the Source
    Watershed less an allowance for Consumptive Use. No surface
    water or groundwater from outside the Basin may be used to
    satisfy any portion of this criterion except if it:
            i. Is part of a water supply or wastewater
        treatment system that combines water from inside and
        outside of the Basin;
            ii. Is treated to meet applicable water quality
        discharge standards and to prevent the introduction of
        invasive species into the Basin;
            iii. Maximizes the portion of water returned to the
        Source Watershed as Basin Water and minimizes the
        surface water or groundwater from outside the Basin;
        b. If the Proposal results from a New or Increased
    Withdrawal of 100,000 gallons per day or greater average
    over any 90-day period, the Proposal shall also meet the
    Exception Standard; and,
        c. If the Proposal results in a New or Increased
    Consumptive Use of 5 million gallons per day or greater
    average over any 90-day period, the Proposal shall also
    undergo Regional Review.
    2. Intra-Basin Transfer. A Proposal for an Intra-Basin
Transfer that would be considered a Diversion under this
Compact, and not already excepted pursuant to paragraph 1 of
this Section, shall be excepted from the prohibition against
Diversions, provided that:
        a. If the Proposal results from a New or Increased
    Withdrawal less than 100,000 gallons per day average over
    any 90-day period, the Proposal shall be subject to
    management and regulation at the discretion of the
    Originating Party.
        b. If the Proposal results from a New or Increased
    Withdrawal 100,000 gallons per day or greater average over
    any 90-day period and if the Consumptive Use resulting from
    the Withdrawal is less than 5 million gallons per day
    average over any 90-day period:
            i. The Proposal shall meet the Exception Standard
        and be subject to management and regulation by the
        Originating Party, except that the Water may be
        returned to another Great Lake watershed rather than
        the Source Watershed;
            ii. The Applicant shall demonstrate that there is
        no feasible, cost effective, and environmentally sound
        water supply alternative within the Great Lake
        watershed to which the Water will be transferred,
        including conservation of existing water supplies;
        and,
            iii. The Originating Party shall provide notice to
        the other Parties prior to making any decision with
        respect to the Proposal.
        c. If the Proposal results in a New or Increased
    Consumptive Use of 5 million gallons per day or greater
    average over any 90-day period:
            i. The Proposal shall be subject to management and
        regulation by the Originating Party and shall meet the
        Exception Standard, ensuring that Water Withdrawn
        shall be returned to the Source Watershed;
            ii. The Applicant shall demonstrate that there is
        no feasible, cost effective, and environmentally sound
        water supply alternative within the Great Lake
        watershed to which the Water will be transferred,
        including conservation of existing water supplies;
            iii. The Proposal undergoes Regional Review; and,
            iv. The Proposal is approved by the Council.
        Council approval shall be given unless one or more
        Council Members vote to disapprove.
    3. Straddling Counties. A Proposal to transfer Water to a
Community within a Straddling County that would be considered a
Diversion under this Compact shall be excepted from the
prohibition against Diversions, provided that it satisfies all
of the following conditions:
        a. The Water shall be used solely for the Public Water
    Supply Purposes of the Community within a Straddling County
    that is without adequate supplies of potable water;
        b. The Proposal meets the Exception Standard,
    maximizing the portion of water returned to the Source
    Watershed as Basin Water and minimizing the surface water
    or groundwater from outside the Basin;
        c. The Proposal shall be subject to management and
    regulation by the Originating Party, regardless of its
    size;
        d. There is no reasonable water supply alternative
    within the basin in which the community is located,
    including conservation of existing water supplies;
        e. Caution shall be used in determining whether or not
    the Proposal meets the conditions for this Exception. This
    Exception should not be authorized unless it can be shown
    that it will not endanger the integrity of the Basin
    Ecosystem;
        f. The Proposal undergoes Regional Review; and,
        g. The Proposal is approved by the Council. Council
    approval shall be given unless one or more Council Members
    vote to disapprove.
    A Proposal must satisfy all of the conditions listed above.
Further, substantive consideration will also be given to
whether or not the Proposal can provide sufficient
scientifically based evidence that the existing water supply is
derived from groundwater that is hydrologically interconnected
to Waters of the Basin.
    4. Exception Standard. Proposals subject to management and
regulation in this Section shall be declared to meet this
Exception Standard and may be approved as appropriate only when
the following criteria are met:
        a. The need for all or part of the proposed Exception
    cannot be reasonably avoided through the efficient use and
    conservation of existing water supplies;
        b. The Exception will be limited to quantities that are
    considered reasonable for the purposes for which it is
    proposed;
        c. All Water Withdrawn shall be returned, either
    naturally or after use, to the Source Watershed less an
    allowance for Consumptive Use. No surface water or
    groundwater from the outside the Basin may be used to
    satisfy any portion of this criterion except if it:
            i. Is part of a water supply or wastewater
        treatment system that combines water from inside and
        outside of the Basin;
            ii. Is treated to meet applicable water quality
        discharge standards and to prevent the introduction of
        invasive species into the Basin;
        d. The Exception will be implemented so as to ensure
    that it will result in no significant individual or
    cumulative adverse impacts to the quantity or quality of
    the Waters and Water Dependent Natural Resources of the
    Basin with consideration given to the potential Cumulative
    Impacts of any precedent-setting consequences associated
    with the Proposal;
        e. The Exception will be implemented so as to
    incorporate Environmentally Sound and Economically
    Feasible Water Conservation Measures to minimize Water
    Withdrawals or Consumptive Use;
        f. The Exception will be implemented so as to ensure
    that it is in compliance with all applicable municipal,
    State and federal laws as well as regional interstate and
    international agreements, including the Boundary Waters
    Treaty of 1909; and,
        g. All other applicable criteria in Section 4.9 have
    also been met.
 
    Section 4.10. Management and Regulation of New or Increased
Withdrawals and Consumptive Uses.
    1. Within five years of the effective date of this Compact,
each Party shall create a program for the management and
regulation of New or Increased Withdrawals and Consumptive Uses
by adopting and implementing Measures consistent with the
Decision-Making Standard. Each Party, through a considered
process, shall set and may modify threshold levels for the
regulation of New or Increased Withdrawals in order to assure
an effective and efficient Water management program that will
ensure that uses overall are reasonable, that Withdrawals
overall will not result in significant impacts to the Waters
and Water Dependent Natural Resources of the Basin, determined
on the basis of significant impacts to the physical, chemical,
and biological integrity of Source Watersheds, and that all
other objectives of the Compact are achieved. Each Party may
determine the scope and thresholds of its program, including
which New or Increased Withdrawals and Consumptive Uses will be
subject to the program.
    2. Any Party that fails to set threshold levels that comply
with Section 4.10.1 any time before 10 years after the
effective date of this Compact shall apply a threshold level
for management and regulation of all New or Increased
Withdrawals of 100,000 gallons per day or greater average in
any 90-day period.
    3. The Parties intend programs for New or Increased
Withdrawals and Consumptive Uses to evolve as may be necessary
to protect Basin Waters. Pursuant to Section 3.4, the Council,
in cooperation with the Provinces, shall periodically assess
the Water management programs of the Parties. Such assessments
may produce recommendations for the strengthening of the
programs, including without limitation, establishing lower
thresholds for management and regulation in accordance with the
Decision-Making Standard.
 
    Section 4.11. Decision-Making Standard. Proposals subject
to management and regulation in Section 4.10 shall be declared
to meet this Decision-Making Standard and may be approved as
appropriate only when the following criteria are met:
    1. All Water Withdrawn shall be returned, either naturally
or after use, to the Source Watershed less an allowance for
Consumptive Use;
    2. The Withdrawal or Consumptive Use will be implemented so
as to ensure that the Proposal will result in no significant
individual or cumulative adverse impacts to the quantity or
quality of the Waters and Water Dependent Natural Resources and
the applicable Source Watershed;
    3. The Withdrawal or Consumptive Use will be implemented so
as to incorporate Environmentally Sound and Economically
Feasible Water Conservation Measures;
    4. The Withdrawal or Consumptive Use will be implemented so
as to ensure that it is in compliance with all applicable
municipal, State and federal laws as well as regional
interstate and international agreements, including the
Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909;
    5. The proposed use is reasonable, based upon a
consideration of the following factors:
        a. Whether the proposed Withdrawal or Consumptive Use
    is planned in a fashion that provides for efficient use of
    the water, and will avoid or minimize the waste of Water;
        b. If the Proposal is for an increased Withdrawal or
    Consumptive use, whether efficient use is made of existing
    water supplies;
        c. The balance between economic development, social
    development and environmental protection of the proposed
    Withdrawal and use and other existing or planned
    withdrawals and water uses sharing the water source;
        d. The supply potential of the water source,
    considering quantity, quality, and reliability and safe
    yield of hydrologically interconnected water sources;
        e. The probable degree and duration of any adverse
    impacts caused or expected to be caused by the proposed
    Withdrawal and use under foreseeable conditions, to other
    lawful consumptive or non-consumptive uses of water or to
    the quantity or quality of the Waters and Water Dependent
    Natural Resources of the Basin, and the proposed plans and
    arrangements for avoidance or mitigation of such impacts;
    and,
        f. If a Proposal includes restoration of hydrologic
    conditions and functions of the Source Watershed, the Party
    may consider that.
 
    Section 4.12. Applicability.
    1. Minimum Standard. This Standard of Review and Decision
shall be used as a minimum standard. Parties may impose a more
restrictive decision-making standard for Withdrawals under
their authority. It is also acknowledged that although a
Proposal meets the Standard of Review and Decision it may not
be approved under the laws of the Originating Party that has
implemented more restrictive Measures.
    2. Baseline.
        a. To establish a baseline for determining a New or
    Increased Diversion, Consumptive Use or Withdrawal, each
    Party shall develop either or both of the following lists
    for their jurisdiction:
            i. A list of existing Withdrawal approvals as of
        the effective date of the Compact;
            ii. A list of the capacity of existing systems as
        of the effective date of this Compact. The capacity of
        the existing systems should be presented in terms of
        Withdrawal capacity, treatment capacity, distribution
        capacity, or other capacity limiting factors. The
        capacity of the existing systems must represent the
        state of the systems. Existing capacity determinations
        shall be based upon approval limits or the most
        restrictive capacity information.
        b. For all purposes of this Compact, volumes of
    Diversions, Consumptive Uses, or Withdrawals of Water set
    forth in the list(s) prepared by each Party in accordance
    with this Section, shall constitute the baseline volume.
        c. The list(s) shall be furnished to the Regional Body
    and the Council within one year of the effective date of
    this Compact.
    3. Timing of Additional Applications. Applications for New
or Increased Withdrawals, Consumptive Uses or Exceptions shall
be considered cumulatively within ten years of any application.
    4. Change of Ownership. Unless a new owner proposes a
project that shall result in a Proposal for a New or Increased
Diversion or Consumptive Use subject to Regional Review or
Council approval, the change of ownership in and of itself
shall not require Regional Review or Council approval.
    5. Groundwater. The Basin surface water divide shall be
used for the purpose of managing and regulating New or
Increased Diversions, Consumptive Uses or Withdrawals of
surface water and groundwater.
    6. Withdrawal Systems. The total volume of surface water
and groundwater resources that supply a common distribution
system shall determine the volume of a Withdrawal, Consumptive
Use or Diversion.
    7. Connecting Channels. The watershed of each Great Lake
shall include its upstream and downstream connecting channels.
    8. Transmission in Water Lines. Transmission of Water
within a line that extends outside the Basin as it conveys
Water from one point to another within the Basin shall not be
considered a Diversion if none of the Water is used outside the
Basin.
    9. Hydrologic Units. The Lake Michigan and Lake Huron
watersheds shall be considered to be a single hydrologic unit
and watershed.
    10. Bulk Water Transfer. A Proposal to Withdraw Water and
to remove it from the Basin in any container greater than 5.7
gallons shall be treated under this Compact in the same manner
as a Proposal for a Diversion. Each Party shall have the
discretion, within its jurisdiction, to determine the
treatment of Proposals to Withdraw Water and to remove it from
the Basin in any container of 5.7 gallons or less.
 
    Section 4.13. Exemptions. Withdrawals from the Basin for
the following purposes are exempt from the requirements of
Article 4.
    1. To supply vehicles, including vessels and aircraft,
whether for the needs of the persons or animals being
transported or for ballast or other needs related to the
operation of the vehicles.
    2. To use in a non-commercial project on a short-term basis
for firefighting, humanitarian, or emergency response
purposes.
 
    Section 4.14. U.S. Supreme Court Decree: Wisconsin et al.
v. Illinois et al.
    1. Notwithstanding any terms of this Compact to the
contrary, with the exception of Paragraph 5 of this Section,
current, New or Increased Withdrawals, Consumptive Uses and
Diversions of Basin Water by the State of Illinois shall be
governed by the terms of the United States Supreme Court decree
in Wisconsin et al. v. Illinois et al. and shall not be subject
to the terms of this Compact nor any rules or regulations
promulgated pursuant to this Compact. This means that, with the
exception of Paragraph 5 of this Section, for purposes of this
Compact, current, New or Increased Withdrawals, Consumptive
Uses and Diversions of Basin Water within the State of Illinois
shall be allowed unless prohibited by the terms of the United
States Supreme Court decree in Wisconsin et al. v. Illinois et
al.
    2. The Parties acknowledge that the United States Supreme
Court decree in Wisconsin et al. v. Illinois et al. shall
continue in full force and effect, that this Compact shall not
modify any terms thereof, and that this Compact shall grant the
parties no additional rights, obligations, remedies or
defenses thereto. The Parties specifically acknowledge that
this Compact shall not prohibit or limit the State of Illinois
in any manner from seeking additional Basin Water as allowed
under the terms of the United States Supreme Court decree in
Wisconsin et al. v. Illinois et al., any other party from
objecting to any request by the State of Illinois for
additional Basin Water under the terms of said decree, or any
party from seeking any other type of modification to said
decree. If an application is made by any party to the Supreme
Court of the United States to modify said decree, the Parties
to this Compact who are also parties to the decree shall seek
formal input from the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Québec,
with respect to the proposed modification, use best efforts to
facilitate the appropriate participation of said Provinces in
the proceedings to modify the decree, and shall not
unreasonably impede or restrict such participation.
    3. With the exception of Paragraph 5 of this Section,
because current, New or Increased Withdrawals, Consumptive
Uses and Diversions of Basin Water by the State of Illinois are
not subject to the terms of this Compact, the State of Illinois
is prohibited from using any term of this Compact, including
Section 4.9, to seek New or Increased Withdrawals, Consumptive
Uses or Diversions of Basin Water.
    4. With the exception of Paragraph 5 of this Section,
because Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11,
4.12 (Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10 only), and 4.13 of this
Compact all relate to current, New or Increased Withdrawals,
Consumptive Uses and Diversions of Basin Waters, said
provisions do not apply to the State of Illinois. All other
provisions of this Compact not listed in the preceding sentence
shall apply to the State of Illinois, including the Water
Conservation Programs provision of Section 4.2.
    5. In the event of a Proposal for a Diversion of Basin
Water for use outside the territorial boundaries of the Parties
to this Compact, decisions by the State of Illinois regarding
such a Proposal would be subject to all terms of this Compact,
except Paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of this Section.
    6. For purposes of the State of Illinois' participation in
this Compact, the entirety of this Section 4.14 is necessary
for the continued implementation of this Compact and, if
severed, this Compact shall no longer be binding on or
enforceable by or against the State of Illinois.
 
    Section 4.15. Assessment of Cumulative Impacts.
    1. The Parties in cooperation with the Provinces shall
collectively conduct within the Basin, on a Lake watershed and
St. Lawrence River Basin basis, a periodic assessment of the
Cumulative Impacts of Withdrawals, Diversions and Consumptive
Uses from the Waters of the Basin, every 5 years or each time
the incremental Basin Water losses reach 50 million gallons per
day average in any 90-day period in excess of the quantity at
the time of the most recent assessment, whichever comes first,
or at the request of one or more of the Parties. The assessment
shall form the basis for a review of the Standard of Review and
Decision, Council and Party regulations and their application.
This assessment shall:
        a. Utilize the most current and appropriate guidelines
    for such a review, which may include but not be limited to
    Council on Environmental Quality and Environment Canada
    guidelines;
        b. Give substantive consideration to climate change or
    other significant threats to Basin Waters and take into
    account the current state of scientific knowledge, or
    uncertainty, and appropriate Measures to exercise caution
    in cases of uncertainty if serious damage may result;
        c. Consider adaptive management principles and
    approaches, recognizing, considering and providing
    adjustments for the uncertainties in, and evolution of
    science concerning the Basin's water resources, watersheds
    and ecosystems, including potential changes to Basin-wide
    processes, such as lake level cycles and climate.
    2. The Parties have the responsibility of conducting this
Cumulative Impact assessment. Applicants are not required to
participate in this assessment.
    3. Unless required by other statutes, Applicants are not
required to conduct a separate cumulative impact assessment in
connection with an Application but shall submit information
about the potential impacts of a Proposal to the quantity or
quality of the Waters and Water Dependent Natural Resources of
the applicable Source Watershed. An Applicant may, however,
provide an analysis of how their Proposal meets the no
significant adverse Cumulative Impact provision of the
Standard of Review and Decision.
 
ARTICLE 5
TRIBAL CONSULTATION

 
    Section 5.1. Consultation with Tribes.
    1. In addition to all other opportunities to comment
pursuant to Section 6.2, appropriate consultations shall occur
with federally recognized Tribes in the Originating Party for
all Proposals subject to Council or Regional Review pursuant to
this Compact. Such consultations shall be organized in the
manner suitable to the individual Proposal and the laws and
policies of the Originating Party.
    2. All federally recognized Tribes within the Basin shall
receive reasonable notice indicating that they have an
opportunity to comment in writing to the Council or the
Regional Body, or both, and other relevant organizations on
whether the Proposal meets the requirements of the Standard of
Review and Decision when a Proposal is subject to Regional
Review or Council approval. Any notice from the Council shall
inform the Tribes of any meeting or hearing that is to be held
under Section 6.2 and invite them to attend. The Parties and
the Council shall consider the comments received under this
Section before approving, approving with modifications or
disapproving any Proposal subject to Council or Regional
Review.
    3. In addition to the specific consultation mechanisms
described above, the Council shall seek to establish mutually
agreed upon mechanisms or processes to facilitate dialogue
with, and input from federally recognized Tribes on matters to
be dealt with by the Council; and, the Council shall seek to
establish mechanisms and processes with federally recognized
Tribes designed to facilitate on-going scientific and
technical interaction and data exchange regarding matters
falling within the scope of this Compact. This may include
participation of tribal representatives on advisory committees
established under this Compact or such other processes that are
mutually-agreed upon with federally recognized Tribes
individually or through duly-authorized intertribal agencies
or bodies.
 
ARTICLE 6
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

 
    Section 6.1. Meetings, Public Hearings and Records.
    1. The Parties recognize the importance and necessity of
public participation in promoting management of the Water
Resources of the Basin. Consequently, all meetings of the
Council shall be open to the public, except with respect to
issues of personnel.
    2. The minutes of the Council shall be a public record open
to inspection at its offices during regular business hours.
 
    Section 6.2. Public Participation.
    It is the intent of the Council to conduct public
participation processes concurrently and jointly with
processes undertaken by the Parties and through Regional
Review. To ensure adequate public participation, each Party or
the Council shall ensure procedures for the review of Proposals
subject to the Standard of Review and Decision consistent with
the following requirements:
    1. Provide public notification of receipt of all
Applications and a reasonable opportunity for the public to
submit comments before Applications are acted upon.
    2. Assure public accessibility to all documents relevant to
an Application, including public comment received.
    3. Provide guidance on standards for determining whether to
conduct a public meeting or hearing for an Application, time
and place of such a meeting(s) or hearing(s), and procedures
for conducting of the same.
    4. Provide the record of decision for public inspection
including comments, objections, responses and approvals,
approvals with conditions and disapprovals.
 
ARTICLE 7
DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ENFORCEMENT

 
    Section 7.1. Good Faith Implementation.
    Each of the Parties pledges to support implementation of
all provisions of this Compact, and covenants that its officers
and agencies shall not hinder, impair, or prevent any other
Party carrying out any provision of this Compact.
 
    Section 7.2. Alternative Dispute Resolution.
    1. Desiring that this Compact be carried out in full, the
Parties agree that disputes between the Parties regarding
interpretation, application and implementation of this Compact
shall be settled by alternative dispute resolution.
    2. The Council, in consultation with the Provinces, shall
provide by rule procedures for the resolution of disputes
pursuant to this Section.
 
    Section 7.3. Enforcement.
    1. Any Person aggrieved by any action taken by the Council
pursuant to the authorities contained in this Compact shall be
entitled to a hearing before the Council. Any Person aggrieved
by a Party action shall be entitled to a hearing pursuant to
the relevant Party's administrative procedures and laws. After
exhaustion of such administrative remedies, (i) any aggrieved
Person shall have the right to judicial review of a Council
action in the United States District Courts for the District of
Columbia or the District Court in which the Council maintains
offices, provided such action is commenced within 90 days; and,
(ii) any aggrieved Person shall have the right to judicial
review of a Party's action in the relevant Party's court of
competent jurisdiction, provided that an action or proceeding
for such review is commenced within the time frames provided
for by the Party's law. For the purposes of this paragraph, a
State or Province is deemed to be an aggrieved Person with
respect to any Party action pursuant to this Compact.
        2. a. Any Party or the Council may initiate actions to
    compel compliance with the provisions of this Compact, and
    the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder by the
    Council. Jurisdiction over such actions is granted to the
    court of the relevant Party, as well as the United States
    District Courts for the District of Columbia and the
    District Court in which the Council maintains offices. The
    remedies available to any such court shall include, but not
    be limited to, equitable relief and civil penalties.
        b. Each Party may issue orders within its respective
    jurisdiction and may initiate actions to compel compliance
    with the provisions of its respective statutes and
    regulations adopted to implement the authorities
    contemplated by this Compact in accordance with the
    provisions of the laws adopted in each Party's
    jurisdiction.
    3. Any aggrieved Person, Party or the Council may commence
a civil action in the relevant Party's courts and
administrative systems to compel any Person to comply with this
Compact should any such Person, without approval having been
given, undertake a New or Increased Withdrawal, Consumptive Use
or Diversion that is prohibited or subject to approval pursuant
to this Compact.
        a. No action under this subsection may be commenced if:
            i. The Originating Party or Council approval for
        the New or Increased Withdrawal, Consumptive Use or
        Diversion has been granted; or,
            ii. The Originating Party or Council has found that
        the New or Increased Withdrawal, Consumptive Use or
        Diversion is not subject to approval pursuant to this
        Compact.
        b. No action under this subsection may be commenced
    unless:
            i. A Person commencing such action has first given
        60 days prior notice to the Originating Party, the
        Council and Person alleged to be in noncompliance; and,
            ii. Neither the Originating Party nor the Council
        has commenced and is diligently prosecuting
        appropriate enforcement actions to compel compliance
        with this Compact. The available remedies shall
        include equitable relief, and the prevailing or
        substantially prevailing party may recover the costs
        of litigation, including reasonable attorney and
        expert witness fees, whenever the court determines
        that such an award is appropriate.
    4. Each of the Parties may adopt provisions providing
additional enforcement mechanisms and remedies including
equitable relief and civil penalties applicable within its
jurisdiction to assist in the implementation of this Compact.
 
ARTICLE 8
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

 
    Section 8.1. Effect on Existing Rights.
    1. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to affect,
limit, diminish or impair any rights validly established and
existing as of the effective date of this Compact under State
or federal law governing the Withdrawal of Waters of the Basin.
    2. Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed as
affecting or intending to affect or in any way to interfere
with the law of the respective Parties relating to common law
Water rights.
    3. Nothing in this Compact is intended to abrogate or
derogate from treaty rights or rights held by any Tribe
recognized by the federal government of the United States based
upon its status as a Tribe recognized by the federal government
of the United States.
    4. An approval by a Party or the Council under this Compact
does not give any property rights, nor any exclusive
privileges, nor shall it be construed to grant or confer any
right, title, easement, or interest in, to or over any land
belonging to or held in trust by a Party; neither does it
authorize any injury to private property or invasion of private
rights, nor infringement of federal, State or local laws or
regulations; nor does it obviate the necessity of obtaining
federal assent when necessary.
 
    Section 8.2. Relationship to Agreements Concluded by the
United States of America.
    1. Nothing in this Compact is intended to provide nor shall
be construed to provide, directly or indirectly, to any Person
any right, claim or remedy under any treaty or international
agreement nor is it intended to derogate any right, claim, or
remedy that already exists under any treaty or international
agreement.
    2. Nothing in this Compact is intended to infringe nor
shall be construed to infringe upon the treaty power of the
United States of America, nor shall any term hereof be
construed to alter or amend any treaty or term thereof that has
been or may hereafter be executed by the United States of
America.
    3. Nothing in this Compact is intended to affect nor shall
be construed to affect the application of the Boundary Waters
Treaty of 1909 whose requirements continue to apply in addition
to the requirements of this Compact.
 
    Section 8.3. Confidentiality.
    1. Nothing in this Compact requires a Party to breach
confidentiality obligations or requirements prohibiting
disclosure, or to compromise security of commercially
sensitive or proprietary information.
    2. A Party may take measures, including but not limited to
deletion and redaction, deemed necessary to protect any
confidential, proprietary or commercially sensitive
information when distributing information to other Parties.
The Party shall summarize or paraphrase any such information in
a manner sufficient for the Council to exercise its authorities
contained in this Compact.
 
    Section 8.4. Additional Laws.
    Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to repeal,
modify or qualify the authority of any Party to enact any
legislation or enforce any additional conditions and
restrictions regarding the management and regulation of Waters
within its jurisdiction.
 
    Section 8.5. Amendments and Supplements.
    The provisions of this Compact shall remain in full force
and effect until amended by action of the governing bodies of
the Parties and consented to and approved by any other
necessary authority in the same manner as this Compact is
required to be ratified to become effective.
 
    Section 8.6. Severability.
    Should a court of competent jurisdiction hold any part of
this Compact to be void or unenforceable, it shall be
considered severable from those portions of the Compact capable
of continued implementation in the absence of the voided
provisions. All other provisions capable of continued
implementation shall continue in full force and effect.
 
    Section 8.7. Duration of Compact and Termination.
    Once effective, the Compact shall continue in force and
remain binding upon each and every Party unless terminated.
This Compact may be terminated at any time by a majority vote
of the Parties. In the event of such termination, all rights
established under it shall continue unimpaired.
 
ARTICLE 9
EFFECTUATION

 
    Section 9.1. Repealer.
    All Acts and parts of Acts inconsistent with this Act are
to the extent of such inconsistency hereby repealed.
 
    Section 9.2. Effectuation by Chief Executive.
    The Governor is authorized to take such action as may be
necessary and proper in his or her discretion to effectuate the
Compact and the initial organization and operation thereunder.
 
    Section 9.3. Entire Agreement.
    The Parties consider this Compact to be complete and an
integral whole. Each provision of this Compact is considered
material to the entire Compact, and failure to implement or
adhere to any provision may be considered a material breach.
Unless otherwise noted in this Compact, any change or amendment
made to the Compact by any Party in its implementing
legislation or by the U.S. Congress when giving its consent to
this Compact is not considered effective unless concurred in by
all Parties.
 
    Section 9.4. Effective Date and Execution.
    This Compact shall become binding and effective when
ratified through concurring legislation by the states of
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and
Wisconsin and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and consented to
by the Congress of the United States. This Compact shall be
signed and sealed in nine identical original copies by the
respective chief executives of the signatory Parties. One such
copy shall be filed with the Secretary of State of each of the
signatory Parties or in accordance with the laws of the state
in which the filing is made, and one copy shall be filed and
retained in the archives of the Council upon its organization.
The signatures shall be affixed and attested under the
following form:
        In Witness Whereof, and in evidence of the adoption and
    enactment into law of this Compact by the legislatures of
    the signatory parties and consent by the Congress of the
    United States, the respective Governors do hereby, in
    accordance with the authority conferred by law, sign this
    Compact in nine duplicate original copies, attested by the
    respective Secretaries of State, and have caused the seals
    of the respective states to be hereunto affixed this____
    day of (month), (year).
 
    Section 90. Appointments. All appointments by the Governor
of Illinois under the Compact are subject to the advice and
consent of the Illinois Senate.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.