GLIN==> Federal Budget Resolution Charts Path for Great Lakes Restoration, Economic Recovery

I wanted to share a release that went out late yesterday from the
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
Jordan
 
For Immediate Release: April 29, 2009
 
Contact: 
Andy Buchsbaum, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (734)
717-3665
Jordan Lubetkin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (734)
904-1589 
 
Federal Budget Resolution Charts Path for Great Lakes Restoration,
Economic Recovery
 
ANN ARBOR, MICH. (April 29, 2009)—Today the U.S. House of
Representatives passed a joint budget resolution that includes support
for restoring the Great Lakes and the other national ecosystems. The
Senate is expected to pass the joint resolution soon.
 
Andy Buchsbaum, co-chair, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition,
said:
 
“After years and years of all talk and little action, we're finally
getting action to restore the Great Lakes and revitalize the economy. 
 
“This budget charts a path forward to advance Great Lakes restoration
and economic recovery by funding President Obama’s $475 million
initiative to curb sewage pollution, halt aquatic invasive species
introductions, clean up toxic pollution and address other serious
threats.
 
“We’re looking to the region’s Congressional delegation to seize the
day, invest in Great Lakes restoration and stand up for the millions of
people who depend on the Lakes for their jobs, drinking water, and way
of life.
 
“We're confident that the Great Lakes will finally get the funding they
so urgently need, because these funds will not only heal the lakes,
they'll also jumpstart the regional economy by producing good jobs right
away.”
 
Support for Great Lakes restoration in the joint budget resolution is
on page 46:
 
Sec. 604.  Sense of the Congress on Great Lakes Restoration
 
It is the sense of the Congress that this resolution recognizes the
need to address significant and long-standing problems affecting the
major large scale aquatic, estuarine, and coastal ecosystems nationwide.
 This resolution includes funding for a new interagency initiative to
address such regional ecosystems.  It also includes funding to work with
Great Lakes States, tribes, local communities, and organizations to more
effectively address issues prioritized in the Great Lakes Regional
Collaborative.  This initiative could address issues such as invasive
species, habitat restoration and conservation, non-point sources
pollution, and contaminated sediment. The resolution also supports the
President’s proposal to use outcome-oriented performance goals and
measures to target the most significant problems and track progress in
addressing these ecosystems.
 
The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition consists of more than 100
environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos,
aquariums and museums representing millions of people, whose common goal
is to restore and protect the Great Lakes.
 
For more information, visit: http://www.healthylakes.org/ 
 
 
Jordan Lubetkin
Senior Regional Communications Manager
National Wildlife Federation - Great Lakes Office
213 West Liberty, Suite 200 | Ann Arbor, MI 48104
 
Phone: 734-887-7109 | Fax: 734-887-7199 | Cell: 734-904-1589
 
NWF's mission is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our
children's future. www.nwf.org/news/ 
 
Working to restore the Great Lakes by offering solutions to sewage
contamination, invasive species and other threats. www.healthylakes.org
( http://www.healthylakes.org/ )
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