ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm held a ceremonious bill-signing event in Ann Arbor Monday to inaugurate her signing of the Great Lakes Compact bill.

The bill, which was already signed by eight Great Lakes states, prevents countries or remote states from tapping into the lakes from their natural drainage basin with rare exceptions. In addition, states would be required to regulate their own large-scale water uses and promote conservation.

Michigan was the final state to approve the pact last month.

Chief sponsor of the bill, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said the bill will help protect the Great Lakes from water diversions and preserve the invaluable resource for future generations.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., said the compact "will protect the health of these precious bodies of freshwater, preventing unnecessary and dangerous diversions of Great Lakes waters. I know the people of Wisconsin feel strongly about the importance of preserving the lakes for future generations."

Rep. Bart Stupak, a Democrat who represents northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, has questioned the compact because it allows bottled water to be shipped from the region.