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Northeast-Midwest Weekly Update – 1 March 2004
GREAT LAKES CONGRESSIONAL BREAKFAST The Northeast-Midwest Institute and Great Lakes Commission on
Wednesday, March 3, will host the annual Great Lakes Congressional
Breakfast. Speaking about protection and restoration efforts will be
Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, Senators Mike DeWine (R-NY) and Debbie Stabenow
(D-MI), and Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-NY).
CLEAN WATER FUNDING ------------------------------------ Senators James Jeffords (I-VT), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) are seeking signatures on a letter that asks the Budget Committee to provide $5.2 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds (SRFs).
Despite important progress over the past three decades, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that more than 40 percent of the nation’s lakes, rivers, and streams are still too impaired for fishing or swimming. The senators seek an increase in funding for the Clean Water SRF to $3.2 billion and for the Drinking Water SRF to $2 billion in fiscal 2005.
The signature deadline is noon on Monday, March 1. Interested Senate offices should contact Kris Sarri of the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition at 202/224-0606.
CHESAPEAKE BAY --------------------------- The Northeast-Midwest Institute has updated its web page associated with the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to review relevant legislation, pending appropriation levels, and a listing of programs and agreements affecting the Chesapeake Bay.
A kick-off breakfast meeting of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force is scheduled for March 18 at 8:00 am in 2325 Rayburn House Office Building.
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