GLIN==> Great Expectation: Will there be $300 million for the world's largest body of fresh water?

[cid:image001.gif at 01CB9B70.CC840E40]<http://www.ohio.com/>

Great expectation
Will there be $300 million for the world's largest body of fresh water?
Published on Friday, Dec 10, 2010
Amid the flurry of activity on Capitol Hill in the coming days, lawmakers focusing, in particular, on the battle over extending the Bush tax cuts, one smaller yet critical item shouldn't be overlooked. Congress must sustain the country's commitment to restoring and repairing the Great Lakes.
President Obama brought attention and resources to the effort in his first budget, a $475 million down payment on what amounts to a more than $20 billion project. The money has proved useful across the region. Ohio has deployed roughly $17 million for habitat restoration, sediment cleanup and pollution prevention. The president reduced his request to $300 million in his second budget plan, yet that sum now appears vulnerable as Congress patches together a spending proposal before the end of its session.
Many lawmakers have ideas about squeezing spending (no matter its immediate dampening effect on the economy). A package of $300 million can look inviting. Peel millions here and there for other priorities, and, suddenly, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative loses essential momentum.
Sen. George Voinovich long has been a strong advocate for the lakes. These are his final days in the Senate, retirement ahead. What a fitting addition to his rich legacy of public service for the lakes to receive the necessary investment. Ideally, the amount would be $475 million. The senator would do well to ensure the $300 million remains for the lakes.
Voinovich firmly grasps the value of the investment, not unlike the commitment the country made to repair the Everglades in Florida. Here is the largest body of fresh water in the world, no less than a national treasure. Still, there is more: The lakes serve as an economic engine, generating more than $10 billion a year in economic activity, in recreation, tourism, jobs and livelihoods. Mistreat and abuse such a valuable resource, and the dividend declines.
As things stand, Congress has an opportunity to fund adequately the restoration initiative and push to passage the Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act. The ecosystem protection legislation serves to bring order, substance and accountability to the effort, providing the framework for investing the money.
For too long, the Great Lakes have been neglected, ills mounting in the form of such things as invasive species, algae, sediment and pollution. President Obama set in motion a sustained campaign at their recovery. The shame would be allowing the commitment to lapse after just one year.

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/opinions/111652324.html

Kristy Meyer, M.S.
Director of Agricultural & Clean Water Programs
Ohio Environmental Council
1207 Grandview Ave., Ste. 201
Columbus, OH 43212
Direct Phone: (614) 487-5842
OEC Phone: (614) 487-7506
Kristy at theOEC.org
Twitter.com/AgWaterKristy<http://www.twitter.com/AgWaterKristy>
Facebook/OhioEnvironmentalCouncil<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbus-OH/The-Ohio-Environmental-Council/18540061737?ref=ts>

Link your Kroger Plus Card<http://www.theoec.org/Kroger.htm> to the OEC and they donate to us every time you shop.

Please think of the environment before you print this email.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/glin-announce/attachments/20101214/44f69af5/attachment.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 1932 bytes
Desc: image001.gif
Url : http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/glin-announce/attachments/20101214/44f69af5/attachment.gif