Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) applauds the inclusion of Great Lakes priorities in the bipartisan farm bill recently passed by Congress and signed into law today by the president. The final legislation includes many priorities that the GLC and a coalition of Great Lakes states, agriculture, water utility and conservation organizations called for in a joint statement earlier this year.

“The Great Lakes Commission thanks our partners in Congress, especially Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member and bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force co-chair Senator Debbie Stabenow, for including critical Great Lakes priorities in the farm bill legislation,” said John Linc Stine, chair of the GLC and commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. “To protect drinking water, conserve habitat, and ensure a healthy economy in our region, we must all work together to protect the Great Lakes. This legislation reflects the continued bipartisan commitment to strengthening our region.”

The new legislation increases funding and implements policy reforms to improve working lands, conservation easements, habitat restoration, and invasive species control programs. The bill promotes successful water quality protections, increases agricultural productivity and conserves valuable wildlife habitat, demonstrates conservation success, improves research, and supports state certification programs.

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The Great Lakes Commission, led by chair John Linc Stine, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 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 office is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more at www.glc.org.