GLIN==> Legislation would boost Great Lakes restoration efforts and elevate role of the Great Lakes states

For immediate release: Mar. 5, 2010 

Legislation would boost Great Lakes restoration efforts and elevate role of
the Great Lakes states 
 <http://www.glc.org/announce/10/03legislation.html>
http://www.glc.org/announce/10/03legislation.html 

Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission hailed legislation introduced
today in Congress that formally authorizes the recently established Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and elevates the role of the eight Great
Lakes states in guiding restoration efforts in partnership with the federal
government. 

The "Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act" also reauthorizes EPA's Great
Lakes National Program Office and the Great Lakes Legacy Act, a highly
successful federal program established in 2002 that has removed nearly one
million cubic yards of toxic sediments from the Great Lakes.

“We need to lock in the federal commitment to cleaning up the Great Lakes,”
said Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, chair of the Great Lakes Commission. “Thanks
to the leadership of the President and Congress, the Great Lakes Restoration
Initiative is off to a strong start.” 

The Commission noted that the legislation would help achieve the goals of
the widely-endorsed Great Lakes restoration strategy and leverage leadership
from the Great Lakes states.

The Senate bill – S. 3073 – was introduced by Senators Levin (D-MI),
Voinovich (R-OH), Klobuchar (D-MN), Brown (D-OH), Franken (D-MN), Stabenow
(D-MI) and Durbin (D-IL). The House bill – H.R. 4755 – was introduced by
Representatives Dingell (D-MI), Ehlers (R-MI), Kirk (R-IL) and Slaughter
(D-NY).

President Obama initiated the GLRI in 2009 and requested $475 million for
the program’s first year, which was subsequently approved by Congress. The
EPA recently announced an action plan for the GLRI that commits $2.2 billion
to the program over its five-year lifespan, inclusive of the first year’s
funding.

“This legislation recognizes the critical role of the Great Lakes states,
cities and other partners in caring for the Great Lakes,” said Todd Ambs,
administrator of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Division of
Water and vice chair of the Great Lakes Commission. “It will provide the
leadership we need to make the most of this unprecedented opportunity to
restore this precious resource,” he added.

The legislation would establish a two-tiered advisory body to the EPA
comprised of a “Great Lakes Leadership Council” with executives from federal
agencies, states, tribes and local governments, and a “Great Lakes
Management Council” with senior managers from these agencies as well as the
Great Lakes Commission, the International Joint Commission and the Great
Lakes Fishery Commission, along with representation from the industrial,
environmental, agricultural and academic community in the Great Lakes
region.

The Leadership Council would establish annual goals for the GLRI, make
budget recommendations and report to Congress on the Initiative’s progress.
The Management Council would guide implementation of the restoration program
and coordinate contributions from various federal, state and local agencies
and nongovernmental partners. This structure ensures transparency and
accountability while leveraging contributions from the states and other
entities in the region.

The legislation advances one of the Great Lakes Commission’s top legislative
priorities, which were formally presented to Congress during the recent
Great Lakes Day in Washington. Other priorities being advanced by the
Commission include maintaining funding for the GLRI, protecting water
quality, and safeguarding the Great Lakes against damaging invasive species,
such as Asian carp. The Commission’s complete legislative program can be
accessed at the Commission’s website at  <http://www.glc.org/restore/>
www.glc.org/restore. 

Contacts:
 <mailto:teder at glc.org> Tim Eder, Executive Director 
Office: 734-971-9135 
Cell: 734-604-7281 
Email: teder at glc.org

 <mailto:mdoss at glc.org> Matt Doss, Policy Director
Office: 734-971-9135 
Cell: 734-474-1985 
Email: mdoss at glc.org  

 
###  

 
The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Gov. Patrick Quinn (Ill.), is an
interstate compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and
dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high
quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents.
The Commission consists of governors' appointees, state legislators, and
agency officials from its eight member states. Associate membership for
Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of
Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving
U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies
and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann
Arbor, Michigan.



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