GLIN==> PRESIDENT SIGNS GREAT LAKES LEGISLATION

President signs Great Lakes legislation

 

Habitat protection and restoration receives funding 

 

 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - November 3, 2009 -President Obama signed historic
legislation aimed at the restoring the Great Lakes, Friday, after the
House and Senate approved the measure.  According to Ducks Unlimited,
the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will provide $475 million for a
comprehensive program to restore and protect the Great Lakes.  Ducks
Unlimited stands ready to turn this financial commitment into cleaner
water and better habitat for waterfowl, wildlife and citizens of the
Great Lakes and beyond. 

 

"Congress and the President have delivered on their promise to help
protect and restore one of our national treasures,' said Robert D.
Hoffman, Director of Ducks Unlimited's Great Lakes/Atlantic Region. "We
are grateful to all of the Great Lakes partners and Congressional and
Administration champions for making this funding a reality."

 

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was proposed by the
President to address the most serious issues that face the Great Lakes.
Loss of habitat, invasive species, nonpoint source pollution, and toxic
sediments threaten the health and economic well being of residents and
damages the United States largest fresh water resource.  Program
administrators have a valuable document in the Great Lakes Regional
Collaboration Strategy, a blueprint developed by more than 1,500 people
representing governmental, industry, and nonprofit groups to set
priorities and identify needs, which will receive funding for its most
pressing programs.  

 

"DU has been working with our federal, state and conservation partners
to develop a list of habitat conservation projects that will protect and
restore thousands of acres in the Great Lakes watershed, said Gildo
Tori, Great Lakes/Atlantic Region Director of Public Policy, "We are
ready to act and put more habitat on the ground and in the water so that
our wildlife and citizens can reap sustainable environmental and
economic benefits."

 

Ducks Unlimited works in every Great Lake state restoring and protecting
wetlands and associated habitat.  These lands supply the region with
cleaner water, economic activity and recreation.  The Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative will provide much needed resources for a
healthier Great Lakes region, and Ducks Unlimited will facilitate the
success of the program through advocacy, scientific support, and project
delivery.  

 

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated
to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl
habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 13
million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million
supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to
program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to
fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever.

 

 

-30-

 

Kristin Schrader         734-623-2000              kschrader at ducks.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kristin Schrader

Public Affairs Coordinator

Great Lakes/Atlantic Region

Ph 734.623.200

Mobile 734.646.4594

Fax 734.623.2035

 

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