Mar 1: Citing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system as an "environmental and economic asset of vital importance to the nation," the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) called for an ongoing Federal commitment to the $2.2 billion Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The action headlined the Commission's Fiscal Year 2012 legislative priorities, adopted at its 2011 Semiannual Meeting held in Washington, DC as part of the annual Great Lakes Day events on Capitol Hill.
Other legislative priorities announced by the Commission include: providing funding to expedite efforts to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes and supporting effective invasive species prevention programs; and rebuilding critical wastewater infrastructure through full funding of the Federal Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund programs.
To heighten their impact in Washington, the Commission's legislative priorities are coordinated with six other regional agencies and organizations, generating "one regional voice" for restoring and effectively managing the Great Lakes. In addition to the Great Lakes Commission, the legislative priorities are endorsed by the Healing our Waters®-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Council of Great Lakes Industries, and the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition.
Access a lengthy release from GLC and link to a full list of legislative priorities for FY2012 and supporting documents (click here).
