Download  HR 5764 – GLRI Group Letter – December 2014

Seven regional Great Lakes groups weighed in today with the Great Lakes congressional delegation in support of legislation being considered this week that formally authorizes funding for a comprehensive restoration program for the Great Lakes.  The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2014, introduced by Representatives David Joyce (OH), Louise Slaughter (NY), Sander Levin (MI) and John Dingell (MI), legally recognizes the initiative, an ambitious regional restoration program for the Great Lakes that is cleaning up degraded “toxic hotspots,” halting Asian carp and other invasive species, and preventing polluted runoff that closes beaches and causes harmful algal blooms. While the program has been underway since 2010, the new legislation provides explicit congressional authorization and a more secure legal foundation to continue funding the program at up to $300 million annually.

The bill directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to collaborate with the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force and state and local partners to select the best projects to restore the Great Lakes, with a focus on actions that can be implemented quickly, will achieve environmental outcomes outlined in the new Great Lakes Action Plan and Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and that leverage other funding.

The letter states that “passing this legislation now will clarify the focus and accountability of our restoration efforts and ensure the program continues to achieve effective results” and concludes by emphasizing that “the Great Lakes are an invaluable resource worth restoring and protecting, and this legislation is critical to our collective efforts toward this end.” The complete letter is attached.

The letter was signed jointly by the Great Lakes Commission, Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Council of Great Lakes Industries and the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition.

The bill is expected to be considered in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Discussions are underway to advance a companion bill in the Senate.

Contact: Matt Doss, 734-971-9135 (office), 734-474-1985 (cell), [email protected]

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The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Kelly Burch, executive director of oil and gas operations for the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection, is an interstate compact agency established under 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 governors’ appointees, state legislators, and agency officials 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. Learn more at www.glc.org.