They're a part of Michigan's history.

"Everyone has memories from the great lakes."

A part of it's beauty.

"You can't put a price tag on that."

Now, many are fighting to make sure the great lakes stay a part of Michigan's future.

"We need to start taking action now if we want to protect the water in the great lakes," said Dr. Alan Steinman of Grand Valley State University.

Action that would prevent great lakes states from selling off water, would protect ecosystems, would preserve one of Michigan's greatest assets.

Eight regional governors have outlined their plan to protect the valuable resource through the Great Lakes Compact. The compact requires legislative action for the bill to become law.

On Wednesday, Michigan and Wisconsin joined Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York to have the compact on the books. Ohio and Pennsylvania are still lagging behind.

"Of all the states that are invested in this, we have the most that's at stake," Steinman stressed.

That's because besides Alaska, Michigan has the most coastline of any state, at more than 3,200 miles. It's that coastline that forced legislators to take action. Experts say the great lakes have been at risk for years.

On the shores of Lake Michigan, the water level continues to recede. In fact, in this lake alone, the water has fallen nearly four feet in just over 10 years.

And some say taking out even more water to sell off could have been catastrophic.

"The Great Lakes are vast but they're not invulnerable," said Ken DeBeaussaert of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
He says the Great Lakes Compact prevents a so-called water auction.

"We've finally reached an agreement to prohibit those diversions to other parts of the country."

But signing the deal means so much more than just protecting the water, it means protecting an investment. The Great Lakes bring in cash too, nearly $19 billion a year in tourism.

"Whether it's Huron, Michigan, Superior...they all offer some type of vacation getaway for our visitors," said Kirsten Borgstrom of Travel Michigan.

And keeping those visitors coming to Michigan is crucial to an economic turnaround by pumping in even more dollars.

"Boating, fishing, hiking, the state parks, the lighthouses, they're all very popular right now."

Activities DeBeaussaert hopes all will be able to enjoy for years to come.

"Water has been key to our past and can be key to our future. The real important thing for us to do today is to ensure that that water will be available for generations to come."

Generations who can now count on the Great Lakes Compact in the Great Lakes state.