GLIN==> 2003 Great Lakes Program now available!

[Kirk Haverkamp <kirkh@glc.org>]

2003 Great Lakes Program now online at www.glc.org/restore

Great Lakes Commission issues call to “Restore the Greatness!”

Saying that it’s time to give the Great Lakes their due, Great Lakes Commission
Chair Sam Speck today released the Commission’s 2003 Great Lakes Program
to Ensure Environmental and Economic Prosperity to members of Congress
and regional leaders gathered in Washington, D.C.

The Great Lakes Program, which lays out the Commission’s recommendations
for specific legislation and appropriations to address Great Lakes issues
over the coming year, was presented at the annual “Great Lakes Day in Washington”
activities, which include a Congressional Breakfast and Issues Briefing.
The Breakfast was co-sponsored by the Commission and the Northeast-Midwest
Institute.

“The Great Lakes of North America are the lifeblood of a great region and
the key to the environmental and economic prosperity for tens of millions
of residents,” said Speck. “Simply put, they are a national and international
treasure and they deserve to be treated as such!”

The Great Lakes Program is built around seven key priorities the Commission
views as essential to restoring, protecting and enhancing the natural resources
of the Great Lakes basin. They are:

• Cleaning up toxic hot spots
• Shutting the door on invasive species
• Controlling nonpoint source pollution
• Restoring and conserving wetlands and critical coastal habitat
• Ensuring the sustainable use of our water resources
• Strengthening our decision support capability
• Enhancing the commercial and recreational value of our waterways

The Great Lakes Program forms the basis for the Commission’s advocacy
efforts on behalf of the Great Lakes region and its member states. Each priority
is linked to recommendations for specific legislation and appropriations
the Commission is asking Congress to address this year, as well as a summary
of benefits associated with it. The Great Lakes Program also provides
the basis for building regional partnerships for restoration and protection
activities.

First released in 2001 and updated annually, the Great Lakes Program
 has met with considerable success, and numerous elements have seen favorable
action by the Congress. The Commission also views the Great Lakes Program
 as an important step toward the development of a large-scale, long-term
Great Lakes Restoration Plan. Such a consensus-based plan can yield a detailed
blueprint of unprecedented scope to guide state/federal/stakeholder partnerships
for years into the future.

Founded in U.S. federal and state law, the Great Lakes Commission serves
as a regional advocate, promoting the informed use, protection and development
of the water and related resources of the Great Lakes basin in the interest
of advancing environmental and economic prosperity. Its members include the
eight Great Lakes states, with associate member status for Ontario and Québec.
The Commission’s annual preparation of federal legislative and appropriations
priorities is a longstanding activity and provides the basis for its advocacy
and regional coordination efforts.

Commission Chair Speck, elected last October, also serves as director of
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Vice Chair Tom Huntley is a member
of the Minnesota state legislature.

The Great Lakes Program is available online at www.glc.org/restore.
Print copies are available by contacting the Great Lakes Commission at 734-971-9135.
 
Contact: Mike Donahue, president/CEO
Phone: 734-971-9135
Fax: 734-971-9150
E-mail: mdonahue@glc.org

                                                                           
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