Michigan Senate approves bill managing water withdrawals

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Senate has approved a bill managing large-scale withdrawals from the state's lakes and inland waterways.

But Republicans and Democrats remain at odds over issues such as the size of allowable fish reductions in trout streams.

The bill approved 24-14 on Thursday would allow reductions of up to 3 percent. Democrats propose no more than a 1 percent decrease.

The legislation is contained in a package of bills that would give Michigan's approval to a regional compact to prevent Great Lakes water from being sent to dry regions. Lawmakers favor the compact but disagree over state-specific water rules.

The Senate bill now heads to the House. It's looking increasingly likely a compromise will have to be hammered out in a conference committee.