Senate urged to act on Great Lakes Basin Program funding

The Great Lakes Commission has been very concerned that the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee has yet to appropriate FY 2004 funds for the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control. The Senate appropriated $2.5 million last year and has supported this highly successful program every year since its inception in 1991. The following letter, urging support for this critical initiative, was recently sent to members of the Senate Great Lakes Congressional Delegation. Similar letters were sent to members of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, the House Great Lakes Congressional Delegation and the House Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee.

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The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Samuel W. Speck (Ohio), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials, and governors' appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.