House approves Great Lakes compact

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has ratified a compact to prevent the diversion of water from the Great Lakes, adding protections to one of the world's largest sources of fresh water.

It passed Tuesday on a vote of 390-25.

The compact now moves to President Bush, who has said he will sign it into law. The Senate passed the measure in August.

The agreement was negotiated by eight Great Lakes states after more than four years of talks involving business, scientific and environmental interests. The Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec have enacted virtually identical measures.

It prevents countries or remote states from tapping into the lakes from their natural drainage basin with rare exceptions.