SOURCE:
https://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402784
Washington, February 6, 2024
Today, U.S. Representatives Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and members of the bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2024. The bipartisan bill will reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which is set to expire at the end of FY 2026, for another five years through FY 2031. The bill increases the current authorization level from $475 million to $500 million in FY 2026.
“As Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, I have worked to build a bipartisan coalition in Congress to make the Great Lakes a national priority,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. “The Great Lakes serve as a vital source of economic activity, recreation, and drinking water for millions of Americans. For us in Michigan, the Great Lakes are a way of life. Studies from Grand Valley State University and the University of Michigan demonstrate how the economic health of the Great Lakes is directly tied to their ecological health. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the leading federal program designed to clean up legacy pollution, restore habitats, and combat invasive species across the basin. I will continue to lead efforts that prioritize the Great Lakes and work to protect, preserve, and strengthen these precious resources for future generations.”
“The Great Lakes are not only an important natural resource, but a way of life that supports communities and jobs across our region and country. Since it was established, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been an environmental and economic success, and is fundamental to protecting, restoring, and maintaining the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy. We must ensure the GLRI receives strong, bipartisan support to continue this meaningful work,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force.
“The Great Lakes provide more than 1.5 million jobs, supply 90 percent of our nation’s fresh surface water, and generate $62 billion in wages every year,” said Congressman Dave Joyce, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative supports efforts that confront direct threats facing the lakes like harmful algal blooms, water pollution, invasive species, and coastal erosion. I am proud to be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reintroduce this critical legislation to protect and preserve the national treasure that is the Great Lakes ecosystem.”
“As a co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force and a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is among my top priorities each year,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. “The GLRI provides instrumental funding to meet an enormous unmet need for our region, including the millions of people who depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water, livelihoods, and leisure. In 2020, the GLRI contributed $3.1 Trillion to our economy, 25.8 million jobs, and $1.3 Trillion in wages. Analysis shows that every GLRI dollar spent produces $3.35 in economic activity, which demonstrates a clear return on investment. Robust funding that benefits communities throughout our region is just common sense.”
House cosponsors of this legislation include: Jack Bergman (MI-01), Haley Stevens (MI-11), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Lisa McClain (MI-09), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), John James (MI-10), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Max Miller (OH-07), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Bryan Steil (WI-01) and Joseph Morelle (NY-25)
Senate cosponsors of this legislation include: Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Gary Peters (D-MI), Todd Young (R-IN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Bob Casey (D-PA)
This bipartisan legislation is also supported by the following organizations: the Great Lakes Coalition, National Audubon Society, American Sportfishing Association, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, National Parks Conservation Association, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, Great Lakes Business Network, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Save the Dunes, and Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
Background:
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was put in place to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world. Since 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has provided more than $3.37 billion to fund 6,851 projects throughout the Great Lakes region.