The Great Lakes $300 million cleanup program that stalled earlier this year has been resurrected in Congress.
U.S. Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio) introduced the bill that authorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $300 million annually over the next five years. The initiative supports efforts to restore fish as wildlife habitat, clean up toxic pollution, reduce farm and city runoff, and fight invasive species.
In the last Congress, Rep. Joyce introduced the bill, which enjoyed strong bi-partisan support and passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote. The bill failed to clear the U.S. Senate. President Obama established the program back in 2010.
“This bill helps strengthen Great Lakes restoration efforts,” says Todd Ambs, campaign director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We applaud Rep. Joyce for his ongoing leadership to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Federal restoration efforts have enjoyed strong bi-partisan support from Day 1 — a testament to the millions of people who depend on the Lakes for their drinking water, jobs, and way of life, as well as the solid results that restoration efforts are producing in communities across the region. At a time when Republicans and Democrats are looking to advance bi-partisan priorities, restoring the Great Lakes is a good place to start. We urge federal public officials to support and pass this bill.”
