Washington, D.C. – A binational coalition of regional agencies, Indigenous Nations, legislators, local communities, and business, maritime and environmental groups today released shared priorities for restoring the Great Lakes and supporting the region’s economy. The priorities were released in advance of tomorrow’s Great Lakes Day, an annual event that brings together regional leaders and members of Congress who play a critical role in shaping Great Lakes policies.

 

“Restoring and protecting the Great Lakes is an enduring, bipartisan priority for the nation and for Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River basin communities,” the priorities read. “Our organizations support the following priorities to ensure the Great Lakes are a source of drinking water, an environmental treasure, and an economic engine now and into the future.

 

The agenda urges Congress and the Trump administration to: continue producing restoration results, including by appropriating no less than $500 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in Fiscal Year 2027; provide clean drinking water to all, including by funding the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds at the fully authorized level; enhance the Great Lakes Navigation System; strengthen communities; protect people from persistent and emerging threats, including by supporting measures to address contaminants like PFAS, microplastics, nutrient pollution, and other toxic substances that threaten Great Lakes water quality; and secure a prosperous future.

 

The priorities are endorsed by the Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus, Great Lakes Business Network, and Lake Carriers’ Association.