GLIN==> Great Lakes Restoration, Economy Poised to Get Big Boost from U.S. Congress

Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition
 
Great Lakes Restoration, Economy Poised to Get Big Boost from U.S.
Congress 
 
ANN ARBOR, MICH.— Yesterday U.S. House and Senate leaders concluded
negotiations over funding levels for environmental and natural resource
agencies, setting the stage for a precedent-setting boost of $475
million to address some of the most urgent threats to the Great
Lakes—the largest supply of surface fresh water in the world.
 
As part of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2010,
Congress is poised to appropriate $475 million to fully fund President
Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. 
 
The President proposed the initiative in his inaugural budget to invest
in solutions to stop aquatic invasive species that cost the region at
least $200 million annually in damage and control costs; clean up
contaminated sediments that pose a threat to the health of people and
wildlife; and restore wetlands and other habitat that protects water
quality, prevents flooding and is the foundation of the region’s outdoor
economy.
 
The appropriations bill is expected to pass Congress later this week.
 
Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes
Coalition, said:
 
“Today’s action sets the stage for action that will benefit the
millions of people, businesses and communities which depend on the Great
Lakes.
 
“We applaud the support of the U.S. Congress to pass a bill that will
allow our nation to roll up its sleeves and get to work restoring the
largest fresh-water resource in the world.
 
“This down payment for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provides
a tremendous boost to advance Great Lakes restoration and economic
recovery.
 
“Restoring the Great Lakes will not happen over night; this establishes
a solid foundation on which President Obama and the U.S. Congress can
build so that the nation invests the necessary funds and passes the
necessary policies to restore and protect our Great Lakes, our economy,
and our way of life.”
 
For Immediate Release:
October 28, 2009
 
Contact:
Jordan Lubetkin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition,
734-887-7109
Jeff Skelding, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, 410-242-2704
Chad Lord, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, 202-454-3385
 
 
 
 
Jordan Lubetkin - Senior Regional Communications Manager
National Wildlife Federation
Great Lakes Regional Center
213 W. Liberty St., Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1398
www.nwf.org/greatlakes 
www.healthylakes.org ( http://www.healthylakes.org/ )

Phone: (734) 887-7109 
Cell: (734) 904-1589

Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.
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