GLIN==> Great Lakes Advocates in D.C. to Push for Restoration Funding, Action on Asian Carp

Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition

Great Lakes Advocates in D.C. to Push for Restoration Funding, Action on
Asian Carp

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 23)—As the federal government mobilizes to
prevent the Asian carp from decimating the Great Lakes, advocates are
gathering in the nation’s capital today to urge Congress and President
Obama to support programs that are essential to restoring the largest
surface fresh-water resource in the world.

“Congress and the Obama Administration have demonstrated that the Great
Lakes are a priority for the nation,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign
director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “What's most
needed now is an all-out effort to beat back the Asian carp and a
commitment by Congress to restore funding for successful restoration
programs that create jobs, while laying the foundation for long-term
prosperity. It's time for the nation to roll up its sleeves and get to
work, before the problems get worse and more costly.”

More than 100 citizens from the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are
traveling to Washington, D.C., Feb. 23-24, to ask U.S. Senators and
Representatives to support three priorities:

• Fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 million;
• Take aggressive action to prevent the Asian carp from taking hold in
the Great Lakes, while working toward the permanent separation of  the
Mississippi and Great Lakes basins; and
• Pass Great Lakes restoration legislation that propels restoration
forward by establishing a restoration framework to ensure transparent
priority-setting, accountability, and most importantly action.

“The need for strong federal action has never been greater,” said
Skelding. “The people, businesses and communities which rely on the
Great Lakes 365 days a year are counting on Congress and President Obama
to support solutions to urgent problems that impact our health, economy,
and way of life.”

The call for action comes as the nation confronts the steady advance of
the Asian carp—whose DNA has been detected in Lake Michigan. The Asian
carp crisis is one of many serious problems facing the Lakes: More than
185 invasive species in the Lakes cost the region at least $200 million
in damages and control costs; a legacy of toxic pollution threatens the
health of people and wildlife; sewage overflows close beaches; and
habitat destruction hurts water quality, wildlife, and the region’s
outdoor recreation industry.

After years of inadequate federal investment in programs to help nurse
the Lakes back to health, President Obama and the U.S. Congress approved
$475 million in restoration funds last year as part of the new Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The precedent-setting initiative helped propel restoration forward,
while at the same time demonstrating the huge need to maintain a federal
investment in the Lakes. The EPA recently requested proposals for
approximately $120 million in restoration projects as part of the Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative. The agency received more than 1,050
proposals totaling more than $940 million—a level of demand more than 7
times the supply of available funds. Many projects will not be funded.

“After decades of assault and abuse, the Great Lakes will not be healed
over night,” said Skelding. “The backlog of work is enormous. It’s going
to take a sustained, multi-year effort to nurse the Lakes back to
health, which is why we need Congress’ support now. This is good to do
for the environment and the economy.”

The Brookings Institution found that restoring the Great Lakes will
bring the eight-state region at least $2 in economic benefit for every
$1 investment.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition consists of more than 100
environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos,
aquariums and museums representing millions of people, whose common goal
is to restore and protect the Great For more information, visit: http://www.healthylakes.org/

For Immediate Release:
February 23, 2010

Contact:
Jordan Lubetkin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (734)
887-7109, lubetkin at nwf.org


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

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

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