An updated multi-state compact to implement more protections to the Great Lakes has been signed into law. President George W. Bush signed the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact Oct. 3.

Indiana was the first state to adopt the compact, which will ensure authority over water uses from the Great Lakes stays in the region. In addition to Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin approved the compact in their respective legislatures.