GLIN==> Senate Vote Paves Way for Great Lakes Restoration, Economic Recovery

Senate Vote Paves Way for Great Lakes Restoration, Economic Recovery
 
ANN ARBOR, MICH. (September 25, 2009)—The U.S. Senate last night passed
an appropriations bill that provides $400 million for President Obama’s
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which addresses some of the most
urgent threats to the Great Lakes, including invasive species, toxic
pollution and habitat restoration. 
 
House and Senate negotiators will decide final funding for the
initiative, which the U.S. House of Representatives has already funded
at $475 million.
 
“Today’s action by the Senate paves the way for Great Lakes restoration
and economic recovery,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We look forward to working
with House and Senate leaders to fully fund this initiative at $475
million to restore the Great Lakes, jump-start the economy, safeguard
public health and uphold our quality of life.”
 
Passage of the FY10 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
appropriations bill (H.R. 2996) comes days after the Obama White House
urged the Senate to fully fund the new Great Lakes initiative. In a
Statement of Administration Policy, the Obama Administration wrote: “The
Administration appreciates the Committee’s inclusion of $400 million for
the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, but urges the Congress to fully
fund the President’s request of $475 million.”
 
“Fully funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is vital for the
millions of people who depend on the Lakes for their jobs and way of
life,” said Skelding. “We have solutions to problems such as toxic
pollution and invasive species. It is time to use them. The region is
ready to get to work restoring this tremendous national resource, before
the problems get worse and the solutions get more costly.”
 
To win full funding during conference negotiations, House and Senate
congressional members from Great Lakes states are circulating a sign-on
letter, urging key leaders to support full funding for the Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative. 
 
House members who have signed on to the letter include Reps. Vern
Ehlers (R-Mich.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), John Dingell (D-Mich.), Louise
Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.), Mike
Rogers (R-Mich.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Ron Kind
(D-Wis.), Chris Lee (R-N.Y.), Steve Kagen (D-Wis.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.),
and Mark Schauer (D-Mich.). Senate signatories include Sens. Carl Levin
(D-Mich.), George Voinovich (R-Ohio), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)
 
“The Great Lakes congressional delegation has been instrumental in
significantly advancing Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery,”
said Skelding. “We’re looking to our Congressional leaders to seal the
deal so that we can invest in solutions now that will create jobs in the
short term, while paving the way for long-term economic growth and
prosperity.”
 
The Brookings Institution found that the region will gain at least $2
in economic benefit for every $1 invested in Great Lakes restoration.
 
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative invests in solutions to stop
invasive species that are costing the region at last $200 million per
year in damages and control costs; clean up contaminated sediments that
post 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 bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 77-21.
 
For more information visit: http://www.healthylakes.org/ 
 
For Immediate Release:
September 25, 2009
 
Contact:
Jeff Skelding, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (202)
797-6893
Chad Lord, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (202) 257-4365
Jordan Lubetkin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (734)
904-1589 
 

 
 
 
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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