H I G H L I G H T S
* Briefing: Recycling Works
* Legislation: Great Lakes Legacy Act
*
Study: Cleaning Contaminated Sediments
* Study: Vacant Federal Property
BRIEFING: RECYCLING WORKS
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The
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition on Monday, June 3, will host a briefing on
the importance of recycling and reuse to the region’s economy. The session will
review the U.S. Recycling Economic Information Study, as well as discuss the
economic impacts of recycling on northeastern and midwestern states, which have
the nation’s most successful programs.
Presenters will include representatives of U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, National Recycling Coalition, Mid America Council of Recycling
Officials, and Northeast Recycling Council. The June 3 briefing will run from
10:30 am until 12:00 noon in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Contact: Kris
Sarri at the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition
(202-224-0606).
LEGISLATION: GREAT LAKES LEGACY
ACT
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Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and
Mike DeWine (R-OH), co-chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, last week
introduced the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 (S. 2544). The bill is a companion
to legislation introduced by Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and authorizes $50
million per year in grants to states for remediation at Areas of Concern. The
legislation also creates a grant program for public information and education;
requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit to Congress a
report on such actions, time periods, and resources as are necessary to fulfill
EPA’s duties overseeing Remedial Action Plans at Areas of Concern; requires EPA
to conduct research and development of innovative approaches for the remediation
of sediment; and reauthorizes the Great Lakes National Program Office.
Contact: Joy
Mulinex with the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition
(202-224-1211).
STUDY: CLEANING CONTAMINATED
SEDIMENTS
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The Great Lakes Task
Force last week released a General Accounting Office report on the progress of
cleanup at Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes. Overall, the GAO found that
progress has been slow and funding has dropped over time. The report -- which
includes the GAO's findings, recommendations, and agency responses -- can be
found at www.gao.gov.
Contact: Joy
Mulinex at the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition
(202-224-1211).
STUDY: VACANT FEDERAL
PROPERTY
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Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and
Susan Collins (R-ME), and Reps. Jack Quinn (R-NY) and Marty Meehan (D-MA),
are asking the General Accounting Office to study the impact of vacant or
underutilized federal property on community development. Abandoned property and
vacant land can cause significant public nuisances and lead to disinvestment in
urban centers, older suburbs, and commercial areas of small cities and
towns.
Contact: Kris
Sarri with the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition
(202-224-0606).