The Great Lakes Charter Annex agreements are intended to implement the 2001 Great Lakes Charter Annex, in which Ontario, Quebec and the eight Great Lakes U.S. states committed to protect and manage the waters of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin through agreements that set a common standard for decisions about proposed water uses.
The two agreements - reached after difficult negotiations - provide a framework for each province and state to pass laws that put in place the new protections for the waters of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin. Portions of the agreements are effective immediately. Others will be phased in over time.
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (Dec. 13, 2005): A binding agreement between the eight Great Lakes States
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement (Dec. 13, 2005): Good faith agreement between eight Great Lakes States and the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec
News Release
Backgrounder
Technical Fact Sheets
- Enhancing Existing Great Lakes Protections Through Charter Annex Implementing Agreements
- Comparison of Final Annex Implementing Agreements and Draft Agreements Released in June 2005
- Great Lakes Charter Annex Agreements: How Decisions Would Be Made On Proposed Water Uses
Supporting Documents
- Water Basins & Municipal Structure Map (10.5MB)
- Great Lakes Basin Map
- Great Lakes Charter Annex 2001
- Great Lakes Charter, 1985
2005 Public Consultation Materials
Draft Agreements
- Draft Great Lakes Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement (June 2005)
- Draft Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact (June 2005)
News Releases
Backgrounder
Fact Sheets
- Summary of the Agreements (June 2005)
- History of the Agreements (June 2005)
2004 Public Consultation Materials
Draft Agreements
- Draft Great Lakes Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement (July 2004)
- Draft Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact (July 2004)
News Releases
Backgrounder
Fact Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions