GLIN==> Coalition Supports New Grants to Accelerate Great Lakes Restoration, Economic Recovery

Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition

Coalition Supports New Grants to Accelerate Great Lakes Restoration, Economic Recovery

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (September 7, 2010) - Yesterday, the EPA unveiled the first series of grant awards as part of the most ambitious federal effort to restore the Great Lakes. The awards are part of the $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a federal program that invests in solutions to clean up toxic pollution, prevent and control invasive species, reduce urban and farm run-off, and restore habitat and wetlands.

U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and other dignitaries unveiled four Ohio award-winning projects totaling $1.9 million at a press conference in Toledo, Ohio. The administrator then traveled to Green Bay, Wis., to announce seven Wisconsin projects totaling $5.2 million.

The EPA is expected in the coming weeks to announce 270 projects totaling $160 million as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative-a program widely credited with kick-starting a national effort to restore the world's largest surface supply of fresh water.

Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, spoke at the Green Bay, Wis., event. Responding to the EPA's announcement, Skelding said:

"Today's announcement underscores the commitment that President Obama and the U.S. Congress have made to Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery.

"Investments to heal the Great Lakes are good for the environment and the economy. These projects are going to create jobs now and provide the foundation for long-term prosperity for the region.

"This announcement could not come at a better time because the need to protect the Great Lakes and accelerate economic growth remains greater than ever.

"After decades of abuse, there is a lot of work to do. Historic problems continue to threaten the Lakes and the millions of people who depend on them for their jobs and way of life.  And new threats are emerging-perhaps none more urgent and potentially devastating than that of the non-native Asian carp, which threaten the economy and way of life for millions of people in the region.

"In short, the problems facing the Lakes continue to escalate and unless the federal government continues to respond as they have this year, the problems will get worse, and the solutions will get more costly.

"We support the strong effort being put forward by President Obama and the U.S. Congress to heal the Lakes and the region's economy. We look forward to working with federal lawmakers and the White House to ensure that the nation continues to make a sustained, robust investment in Great Lakes restoration so that we can protect our Lakes, jobs, drinking water and way of life now and for generations to come."

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition consists of more than 115 environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos, aquariums and museums representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes.

For more information, visit: www.healthylakes.org

For Immediate Release:
September 7, 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
Office: 734-887-7109
Cell: 734-904-1589

www.nwf.org/greatlakes
www.healthylakes.org

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