GLIN==> Release: President's Budget Benefits People of Michigan, Great Lakes, & Economy

Submitted by Melissa Damaschke <melissa.damaschke at sierraclub.org>


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Sierra Club ~ Michigan United Conservation Clubs ~ Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council ~ Lake Michigan League of Women Voters ~ Clean Water Action ~ Ducks Unlimited ~ Detroit Zoological Society ~ Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc.

 

For Immediate Release: 

May 14, 2009

 

Contact: 

Melissa Damaschke, Sierra Club, 313-965-0055

Jennifer McKay, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, 231-347-1181

Dave Nyberg, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, 517-346-6462

Gildo Tori, Ducks Unlimited, 734-623-2000

Mary Lee Orr, Lake Michigan League of Women Voters, 231-352-7159

 

President's Budget 'Benefits People of Michigan, Great Lakes, & Economy'

 

Detroit, MICH - The people, businesses and communities of Michigan have much to gain if Congress funds a new $475 million Obama Administration initiative to restore the Great Lakes, conservation leaders said today.

 

"President Obama's budget includes a significant down payment on the multi-year effort to restore the Great Lakes and revive the economy," said Melissa Damaschke of Sierra Club. "We look forward to working with Michigan's Congressional delegation to fund this initiative, put people to work now, and restore the lakes and our economy."

 

The Obama Administration unveiled the initiative as part of its budget announcement last week. Conservation groups briefed reporters on the issue today.

 

"The president's budget benefits people, our economy and the Great Lakes," said Jennifer McKay, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. "A Congressional investment in solutions that protect our drinking water, jobs and way of life will pay dividends for millions of people in Michigan and across the country." 

 

"Because the Great Lakes and associated wetland and upland habitats provide critical habitat for wildlife, properly funding restoration efforts is also an investment in Michigan's rich sporting heritage, which also contributes $3.4 billion annually in spending and a $5.9 billion ripple effect on Michigan's economy," said Dave Nyberg of Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

 

Michigan's Congressional delegation can play an important role in funding the Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery plan, with representation on federal appropriations committees, including U.S. Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick.

 

"Michigan's public officials need to step up to the plate and fund Great Lakes restoration before the problems get worse and the solutions more costly," said Gildo Tori of Ducks Unlimited. "We look forward to working with Michigan Congressional leaders and the White House to advance an initiative that is clearly good for the economy and the environment."

 

Great Lakes tourism generates billions of dollars each year from those who spend leisure time around our lakes and streams.  However, the Great Lakes are seriously threatened by problems such as sewage contamination, invasive species, toxic pollution and the loss of wetlands and other habitat. 

 

The president's new fund addresses threats including invasive species, toxic contamination and habitat restoration.

 

"We need to make sure that the momentum being generated by the White House and U.S. Congress to restore the Great Lakes benefits the millions of people who depend on the Lakes for their jobs and way of life," said Mary Lee Orr, Lake Michigan League of Women Voters. "We have solutions. It is time to use them."

 

According to the Brookings Institution, an investment of $26 billion to restore the Great Lakes will lead to at least $50 billion in economic benefit for the region.

 

 

END

 

For additional information, go to www.healthylakes.org.  
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