Fantastic News for the Great Lakes

Below is a press release about an important piece of legislation making its way through Congress. I encourage you to contact your representative in support of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

-Loreen.

U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee Funds Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (June 10, 2009)—The U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee today approved full funding for the new $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which addresses some of the most urgent threats to the Great Lakes, including invasive species, toxic pollution and habitat restoration.

The subcommittee also approved $2.3 billion nationally to help cities modernize wastewater infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund – an increase of $1.6 billion over last year. Almost 40 percent of these funds will go to Great Lakes states for improving water quality in the region.

Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, said:

“The U.S. House took a major step forward in the effort to restore the Great Lakes, safeguard public health, create jobs and uphold our quality of life.

“We applaud Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) for his support and oversight and thank full committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) and other Great Lakes committee members like Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) and the Great Lakes congressional delegation for standing up for the Great Lakes and the millions of people who depend on them for their jobs and way of life.

“The action by the appropriation’s subcommittee charts a path for congressional action to restore the Great Lakes and revive the economy. This is Congress’ first step and we look forward to the full U.S. House supporting this funding later this month. The U.S. Senate must also follow suit so that region can roll up our sleeves and get to work restoring this great national resource.

“Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery depend on collaboration on implementing our Great Lakes restoration plan among government, business, and citizen groups so that we can restore the largest surface fresh water resource in the world before the problems get worse and more costly.”