Great Lakes Protection & Funding Bill Approved By Senate Committee

Jun 30: The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) approved the Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act of 2010 (S.3073), which was introduced in March by Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and George Voinovich (R-OH). The bill, approved by voice vote, would authorize more than $500 million in funding for new and existing programs to protect and restore the Great Lakes. The bill would also streamline various advisory committees and task forces to improve the efficiency of the efforts. Also, the bill reauthorizes the Great Lakes Legacy Program for five years and would increases its funding level from $54 million to $150 million per year. Levin and Voinovich co-chair the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. Seven other senators including Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) have co-sponsored the bill. The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

 

    Senator Levin said, "The Great Lakes are a unique American treasure, and I applaud the committee for its action today advancing a bill to restore, manage and protect the lakes. Nearly a tenth of our population lives in the Great Lakes basin, relying on the life-sustaining drinking water the lakes provide, and reaping economic and recreational benefits from them daily. The Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act provides a host of sensible, bipartisan proposals that appropriately treat the lakes as the great treasure they are. It would also streamline the various advisory and governing bodies to more efficiently use taxpayer dollars for these important goals. The bill aims to ensure the lakes will prosper both today and in the long term so that future generations of Americans will be able to enjoy and benefit from them as we have."

 

    Senator Voinovich said, "Today's EPW passage of the Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act is a continuation of my decades-long legacy of protecting the Great Lakes. This legislation will ensure the vital resources necessary to protect and preserve the Great Lakes for future generations – it will also establish the advisory capacity necessary for federal agencies, local government and others to come together to share ideas and guidance and to prioritize funding needs."

 

    Access a release from Sen. Levin (click here). Access legislative details for S.3037 (click here).