GLIN==> $475 Million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in President's FY2010 Budget

The President's 2010 Budget Outline provides $475 million in the
Environmental Protection Agency's budget for a new EPA-led, interagency
Great Lakes restoration initiative, which will target the most
significant problems in the region, including invasive aquatic species,
non-point source pollution, and contaminated sediment.

   This initiative will use outcome-oriented performance goals and
   measures to target the most significant problems and track progress
   in addressing them. EPA and its Federal partners will coordinate
   State, tribal, local, and industry actions to protect, maintain, and
   restore the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Great
   Lakes.

   The Initiative builds upon 5 years of work of the Great Lakes
   Interagency Task Force (IATF) and stakeholders, guided by the Great
   Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy. The IATF includes 11 cabinet
   and agency organizations, including: EPA, the Council on
   Environmental Quality, and the Departments of State, Interior,
   Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation,
   Homeland Security, Army, and Health and Human Services.

   To jump-start the Initiative, the IATF has developed a Plan for the
   proposed $475 million budget, including over $250 million in grants
   and project agreements and jump-starting achievement of long term
   goals: safely eating the fish and swimming at our beaches, assuring
   safe drinking water, and providing a healthy ecosystem for fish and
   wildlife.  A companion Agency Actions document describes proposed
   accomplishments for each Agency pursuant to the Initiative.

   Early in the summer of 2009, one or more Requests for Proposals will
   be announced for competitive grants advancing the Initiative, in
   order that some grants may be issued as early as December, 2009.

   Throughout the summer of 2009, the Interagency Task Force will work
   to develop a Great Lakes Restoration Plan for 2011 and beyond.

   To be added to a listserv which will provide updates on funding
   information, including funding information about the Great Lakes
   Restoration Initiative, we request that you register at
   http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/maillist/index.html

   For additional information, see the Great Lakes Restoration
   Initiative website (http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/glri), or contact
   Michael Russ (312-886-4013 / russ.michael at epa.gov) or Tony Kizlauskas
   (312-353-8773 / kizlauskas.anthony at epa.gov) of EPA’s Great Lakes
   National Program Office.