GLIN==> HOW Coalition to Congress: We Cannot Afford NOT to Restore the Great Lakes

Today, the House Appropriations Interior-Environment Subcommittee approved, 8-5, a draft fiscal 2012 spending bill that would fund the EPA, Interior Department and related agencies at $27.5 billion. The HOW Coalition released the following statement in response.

HOW Coalition to Congress: We Cannot Afford NOT to Restore the Great Lakes

"The $250 million in the House Interior Appropriations budget for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a significant cut from the $475 million in the first year of the program. The bill also slashes much-needed funding for upgrading failing sewage infrastructure by 55 percent.  This bill still provides funding for restoration work, which will provide economic and environmental benefits from these types of investments. However, it fails to recognize the enormous restoration needs in the region. These funding cuts for proven restoration and clean water efforts that create jobs and protect the public's health are short-sighted. Cutting spending on the Great Lakes won't save money. Problems like outdated sewage treatment, algal blooms, and invasive species are getting worse and become more expensive to correct with every day that we wait.  We're counting on the Great Lakes leaders in the U.S. House to restore funding for Great Lakes restoration. Our nation cannot afford not to protect the Great Lakes, a source of drinking water for 30 million people.  If they cannot or will not restore funding and oppose anti-restoration riders, then we hope they will oppose this bill," said Jeff Skelding, Campaign Director for the Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition.

Media Contact: Jeff Skelding, Campaign Director, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
Office: 202-797-6893 or Cell: 410-245-8021


Jennifer Hill
Field Manager, Great Lakes Restoration
National Wildlife Federation
213 West Liberty Street, Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
hillj at nwf.org  l  734-887-7104
________________________________
Celebrating 75 years of protecting wildlife
www.nwf.org/75

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