In May of 2018, Midwest Environmental Advocates initiated a lawsuit, filed on behalf of 6 partner organizations, challenging the Wisconsin DNR's approval of a request by the City of Racine to divert millions of gallons of water a day outside the Great Lakes Basin to serve Foxconn’s proposed manufacturing facility. Sending water outside the Great Lakes Basin is prohibited under the Great Lakes Compact, except under very limited circumstances and only if the diversion is for public water supply purposes. The Racine diversion fails to meet that criterion. 

DNR's diversion approval was clearly in violation of the Great Lakes Compact from the beginning, and recent public statements by Foxconn executives about the changing nature of its plans only underscore the recklessness of proceeding with the water diversion.

If the Wisconsin DNR's decision is allowed to stand, it may very likely set a legal precedent for future diversions in other Great Lakes states by creating an example for other large industries to follow. If we care about the future of the Great Lakes, we can't allow that to happen.

Pledging your public support for the core principles of the Great Lakes Compact sends a message to policy makers and elected officials that you take seriously your responsibility to protect our shared natural resources, and you expect them to do the same.

Pledge your support for the Great Lakes Compact today!