The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a plan to protect and restore the Great Lakes and they need to hear from you!
New York’s Great Lakes are a valuable resource that we rely on for our drinking water, recreation, tourism, economic development, and a healthy environment. Since 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been providing federal funding to address the biggest threats to the Great Lakes. Investments have been made in successful efforts to restore habitats, address invasive species, clean up toxic hot spots, reduce pollution at the source, and more! While investments from the GLRI have yielded many successes, there is still work to be done.
The EPA is currently developing Action Plan IV, which will guide GLRI restoration efforts over the next 5 years (2024 - 2028) and will help determine how billions of dollars in federal investments will be allocated. We need to make sure that the updated plan continues progress on existing priorities while also including critical updates to address additional challenges.
There are three opportunities to weigh in with the EPA:
1. Attend an in-person public engagement session (for those near the Rochester area): On Wednesday, July 19, the U.S. EPA is hosting an in person public engagement session in Rochester, NY. At the session, the EPA will provide an overview of the GLRI and Action Plan IV, and then the public will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Join us at this engagement session to learn more about the GLRI and have your voice heard on what needs to be done to protect New York’s Great Lakes. This engagement session is free and open to the public.
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Ave.
2. Submit a comment to the EPA via email! Use our email template and feel free to add your own suggestions and concerns.
3. Attend a virtual public engagement session: For those unable to make an in-person session, EPA will be holding an online public engagement session on Wednesday, August 23, 6pm – 8pm (EST). Register here.
Talking Points for Weighing in on Action Plan IV
We need to continue and accelerate existing steps to revitalize public, economic, and Great Lakes ecosystem health.
Two critical updates that we urge the EPA to highlight in Action Plan IV include:
1. Invest in climate change resiliency – Climate change is already impacting the Great Lakes and our communities. Investments in restoring Great Lakes coastal habitat, wetlands, and floodplains are examples of climate change resiliency projects that improve the regions’ ability to withstand the effects of climate change, while also improving the health of the ecosystem.
2. Make investments that promote equity – Often communities that are low-income and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by pollution and environmental degradation. Investments in the GLRI have accelerated restoration across the Great Lakes—these investments should ensure that communities most impacted also benefit from restoration efforts.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE