HOW Coalition Launches GLRI Funding Assistance Program

Apr 6: The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (HOW) launched a new program to help local conservation partners participate in the federal $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. HOW will be providing $200,000 to help groups jump-start restoration projects in five priority areas -- one on each of the Great Lakes. Jeff Skelding, HOW campaign director said, "Our top priority is to ensure that Great Lakes restoration succeeds. After decades of abuse, there is an enormous backlog of work that needs to be done. We're focusing our work on five priority areas where we believe we can make a difference for the Lakes and the
economy."

    Coalition grants to local conservation groups will help provide the tools, capacity and expertise to apply for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funds. The Federal initiative funds projects to clean up toxic pollution that threatens the health of people and wildlife; prevent and control invasive species that cost the region $200 million per year in damages and control costs; and restore wetlands that help improve water quality and provide the foundation for the region's outdoor recreation industry. The coalition will focus its efforts on 5 priority areas including: --Lake Superior: St Louis Bay and St. Louis River; --Lake Michigan: Chicagoland; --Lake Huron: Saginaw Bay; --Lake Erie: Western Lake Erie; and --Lake Ontario: Eastern Lake Ontario.

 

    Access a release and links to complete information (click here).

Administration Releases Great Lakes Restoration Plan

Feb 21: As previously announced U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson unveiled the Obama Administration's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Action Plan at a press conference on Sunday, February 21, at 10:30 AM in Washington, DC. The Plan developed in collaboration with 15 other Federal agencies describes how the Initiative will be executed from 2010 through 2014. In February 2009, President Obama proposed $475 million for the Initiative's FY 2010 funding and recently announced $300 million for the FY 2011 budget.

    According to an announcement of the Plan, the Initiative is not intended to be "another grand statement about the Great Lakes; it is intended to operationalize those statements. It builds on countless hours by elected, agency, business, public interest and other leaders, which resulted in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy (GLRC Strategy). The GLRC Strategy provides a framework for the Action Plan, and the Action Plan is just that: an action driver. It articulates the most significant ecosystem problems and efforts to address them in five major focus areas."

    The five areas of major focus include: (1) Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern, including pollution prevention and cleanup of the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes; (2) Invasive Species, including efforts to institute a "zero tolerance policy" toward new invasions, including the establishment of self-sustaining populations of invasive species; (3) Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution, including a targeted geographic focus on high priority watersheds and reducing polluted runoff from urban, suburban and, agricultural sources; (4) Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration, including bringing wetlands and other habitat back to life, and the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the entire 530,000 acres of Great Lakes coastal wetlands for the purpose of strategically targeting restoration and protection efforts in a science-based manner; and (5) Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships, including the implementation of goal- and results-based accountability measures, learning initiatives, outreach and strategic partnerships.

    The Action Plan identifies goals, objectives, measurable ecological targets, and specific actions for each of the five focus areas identified above. The announcement indicates that, "The Action Plan will be used by federal agencies in the development of the federal budget for Great Lakes restoration in fiscal years 2011 and beyond. As such, it will serve as guidance for collaborative restoration work with participants to advance restoration. The Action Plan will also help advance the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement with Canada."

    Access the announcement (click here). Access the 41-page Action Plan (click here). Access the GLRI website for complete information (click here).

Officials To Announce Great Lakes Action Plan Sunday

Feb 19: According to an announcement from U.S. EPA, Administrator Lisa Jackson will unveil the Obama Administration's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan at a press conference on Sunday, February 21, at 10:30 AM in Washington, DC. She will be joined by Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, co-chairs of the Council of Great Lakes Governors. In February 2009, President Obama proposed $475 million for a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Action Plan, which covers the years 2010 through 2014, will outline the goals and key actions the administration believes are necessary to restore and protect this natural and economic treasure.

 

    Access an announcement from EPA (click here).

Coalition Pushes To Restore Great Lakes Restoration Funding

Feb 2: In his FY 2011 budget, the President proposed to cut funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) from $475 million to $300 million. In their initial reaction the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes (HOW) Coalition said they were analyzing the President proposal, and indicated, "The level of funding that the President committed indicates that he understands the plight of the Great Lakes and the urgency to do something about it." However, they said, "This is not the amount of funding we had hoped for, but coupled with this year's historic investment, the President's request will continue to advance Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery."

Following their analysis, HOW has now issued a statement on February 3, urging Congress to restore funding to last year's level of $475 million." Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the HOW Coalition said, "Although President Obama's budget makes Great Lakes restoration a priority, the proposed funding will make it difficult to keep pace with the urgent threats facing the Lakes. We're going to work with Congress and the White House to restore funding to Great Lakes programs before the problems get worse and the solutions get more costly. "Fully funding Great Lakes restoration will benefit people, businesses and communities. We have the solutions to these urgent problems. It is time to use them."

In EPA budget documents the Administration provides and explanation for the reduction in funding and says, "In 2009, the President announced a new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, committing the Federal government to significantly advance Great Lakes protection and restoration. In FY 2011, EPA is increasing the relative funding for the Invasive Species focus area in recognition of anticipated new demands such as fighting incursion of Asian Carp. FY 2011 funding has been reduced to reflect ramp up period, allowing time for the program to absorb the initial influx of FY 2010 $475 million in resources."

In a related matter, on February 9, 2010, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Chaired by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) will be holding a hearing on "Asian Carp and the Great Lakes."

Access the original Feb. 1 release (click here). Access the Feb. 3 release (click here). Access a 102-page EPA FY11 budget-in-brief detail on the EPA budget (click here). Access further details on EPA's FY 2011 budget including the FY 2011 Congressional Justification (999-pages) and the Verification and Validation (257-pages) (click here). Access information on the Asian Carp hearing (click here).

Groups Urge Full Funding For Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Jan 25: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) announced that 15 Great Lakes regional organizations are urging President Obama to maintain or exceed funding of $475 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in the Federal budget for FY 2011. The initiative was proposed by the Obama Administration as a five-year, comprehensive restoration plan for the Great Lakes. The region’s congressional leaders secured $475 million in FY 2010, the initiative’s first year. Implementation is moving forward, with nearly $150 million currently being offered for projects that address critical problems facing the Great Lakes. In addition, the U.S. EPA is finalizing a five-year action plan for the GLRI that sets outcome-oriented performance goals and criteria for measuring progress.

In a letter to President Obama the groups said, “While the GLRI is off to a strong start we need sustained funding to fulfill your commitment, build on past investments and ensure the GLRI’s long-term success.” The letter acknowledged the broad support for the initiative within the region, noting that it has been endorsed by the Great Lakes governors, states, cities, tribes, conservation groups, business and industry. The letter noted that “substantial momentum is in place to carry the Initiative forward over its five-year timeframe.” The President is expected to submit his budget proposal to Congress on February 1.

The letter was signed by the following entities: Great Lakes Commission; Alliance for the Great Lakes; Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority; Council of Great Lakes Fishery Agencies; Council of Great Lakes Industries; Council of Lake Committees; Ducks Unlimited, Great Lakes/Atlantic Region; Great Lakes Fishery Commission; Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition; Great Lakes United; Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition; National Parks Conservation Association; National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes Regional Center; Natural Resources Defense Council, Midwest Regional Office; and The Nature Conservancy.

Access a release from GLC with additional information (click here).

Great Lakes Initiative Interagency Funding Guide

Jan 8: U.S. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office announced that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative’s (GLRI's) Interagency Funding Guide has been updated. It provides one-stop-shopping for applicants interested in applying for over $250 million in grants and project agreements available through the GLRI. The grants and project agreements are intended to jump-start achievement of the Initiative’s long term goals: safely eating the fish and swimming at our beaches, assuring safe drinking water, and providing a healthy ecosystem for fish and wildlife. The Interagency Funding Guide also includes status information on offerings which are open (offerings from EPA and Fish and Wildlife) and those which have closed (offerings from NOAA and through Sustain Our Great Lakes).

Access an overview and the 20 page guide in Scribd or PDF formats (click here).

ICR Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Accountability System

Jan 5: U.S. EPA has issued a Federal Register information collection request (ICR) for comments on the Great Lakes Accountability System [75 FR 362-364, 1/5/10]. In 2010, EPA, in concert with its Federal partners, will begin implementation of a new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) which was included in the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-88). The GLRI will invest some $475 million in programs and projects strategically chosen to target the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The legislation calls for increased accountability for the GLRI and directs EPA to implement a process to track, measure and report on progress. As part of the process, Federal and non-Federal entities receiving GLRI funds will be required to submit detailed information on GLRI projects as part of their funding agreement. Recipients will be required to provide project-level information on the nature of the activity, responsible organization, organizational point of contact, resource levels, geographic location, major milestones and progress toward GLRI goals. The information is necessary to provide an accurate depiction of activities, progress and results. Information would be entered and updated on at least a quarterly basis.

A web-based Great Lakes Accountability System (GLAS) is being developed as the primary mechanism for collecting information on GLRI activities. The website will contain a user-friendly data entry interface for recipients to enter and submit project information directly into the GLAS. The data entry interface will consist of a series of screens containing pull-down menus and text boxes, where users can enter project specific information. The GLAS will provide the necessary information for reports to the President and will be accessible to the public via Internet.

Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection. Comments must be submitted on or before March 8, 2010.

Access the FR announcement (click here). Access the EPA docket for this action for background and to review and submit comments and (click here).

Q&A's On Great Lakes Restoration Initiative RFP

Dec 30: U.S. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office has posted a number of questions and answers to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Request for Proposals (RFP) [See WIMS 12/8/09]. EPA notes that many questions were presented in email and in two public webinars which took place in early December 2009. These questions and all other questions that have been received have been answered and the answers posted on-line.

On November 23, EPA announced the issuance of the RFP [79 pages, Announcement No: EPA-R5-GL2010-1] which solicits proposals from eligible entities for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded pursuant to a portion of the $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Proposals must be received by EPA by noon Central standard time on January 29, 2010.

Access complete information on the RFP and Q&A's on the GLRI RFP website (click here).

Great Lakes Initiative RFP Webinars

Dec 7: U.S. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) has announced two webinars about the Great Lakes Request for Proposals (RFP) scheduled for December 9, 2009 and December 16, 2009. On November 23, EPA announced the issuance of the RFP [79 pages, Announcement No: EPA-R5-GL2010-1] which solicits proposals from eligible entities for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded pursuant to a portion of the $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative included in Public Law 111-88, and which is in furtherance of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (the Initiative) announced in February 2009 [See WIMS 11/23/09]. Proposals must be received by EPA by noon Central standard time on January 29, 2010.

The webinar schedule includes: 10:00-10:30 Introduction, How Webinar will work, Overview/General Information; 10:30-10:45 Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern; 10:45-11:00 Invasive Species; 11:00-11:15 Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution; 11:15-11:30 Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration; 11:30-11:45 Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships; and, 11:45-Noon Wrap-up. Once registered participants will receive an email confirming registration and including with information needed to join the Webinar.

Access information on registering for the webinars (click here). Access complete information on the RFP (click here).

Council of Great Lakes Governors Newsletter

Dec 1: The Council of Great Lakes Governors announced that the December 2009 edition of its newsletter, The Compass, is now available. Highlights in this issue include: A Message from Council Chair Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle; Asian Carp Breach Barrier; Congress Fully Funds Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; Council Staff Testify before Federal Leaders; Joint Trade Mission announced for Brazil, Chile and Peru; and Great Lakes of North America holds annual German/Swiss Sales Mission.

Access links to the latest issue and past issues (click here).

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Request For Proposals

Nov 23: U.S. EPA has announced the issuance of a Request For Proposals (RFP) [79 pages, Announcement No: EPA-R5-GL2010-1] which solicits proposals from eligible entities for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded pursuant to a portion of the $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative included in Public Law 111-88, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 which is in furtherance of President Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (the Initiative) announced in February 2009. Proposals must be received by EPA by noon Central standard time on January 29, 2010.

The President and EPA, in conjunction with 15 other Federal agencies, have made restoring the Great Lakes a national priority. The Initiative builds on the prior efforts of agency, business, public interest, and other leaders which resulted in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy (GLRC Strategy) and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan now being developed.

The RFP represents EPA’s major competitive grant funding opportunity under the Initiative and is one of several funding opportunities described in the Initiative’s Interagency Funding Guide. A portion of the funding will be through the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service. The RFP, in conjunction with other funding opportunities under the Initiative, will be used to competitively provide funding to address the most significant Great Lakes ecosystem problems and efforts in five major focus areas: Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern; Invasive Species; Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution; Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration; and Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships.

Access links to the complete RFP, and information on webinars and email lists to stay informed of opportunities (click here).

GLC Reacts To EPA Inspector General AOC Report

Sep 30: U.S. EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report in mid-September entitled, EPA Needs a Cohesive Plan to Clean Up the Great Lakes Areas of Concern (No. 09-P-0231, September 14, 2009) [See WIMS 9/15/09], evaluating the Agency’s management of contaminated sediment cleanups in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC). The report focuses on the effectiveness of the Great Lakes Legacy Act, established in 2002 to fund the cleanup of contaminated sediment sites in the 31 AOCs in the U.S. portion of the Great Lakes. The report indicated that the U.S. EPA lacks a coordinated approach for managing sediment cleanups and recommends that the agency establish a management plan for remediating contaminated sediments; develop an action plan for each site; and publish comprehensive information on each site annually.

The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) issued a reaction to the report and said it has long been concerned about the slow pace of progress in restoring the AOCs, but believes that changes to the Great Lakes Legacy Act, coupled with the proposed Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will address many of the issues raised in the OIG report. The Commission believes that "improved coordination and data collection will strengthen the program, particularly as additional resources become available to implement sediment cleanups."

GLC said that, "President Obama’s proposed $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) will accelerate the pace of cleaning up the Great Lakes. Nearly one-third of the funding is proposed for removing contaminated sediments and restoring the AOCs." GLC indicated that, "While improved coordination and better information are always warranted, the key obstacle facing the Great Lakes has been the lack of adequate funding to implement a comprehensive restoration program. . . The program has facilitated productive federal-state-industry partnerships that are yielding real results while minimizing wasteful litigation and bureaucratic delays. Where additional improvements are needed . . .they should be incorporated into cleanups as they are developed and implemented. However, this should occur concurrent with -- and not delay the implementation of -- the GLRI."

Access a release from the GLC (click here).

Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) Website & Funding Opportunity

Aug 18: The Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) program, a public–private partnership among ArcelorMittal, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service has launched a new website and announced two major funding opportunities. Overall, the SOGL program is designed to support the implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), an outcomes-focused initiative designed to protect, maintain and restore the chemical, biological and physical integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The funding opportunities through the Community Grants and Stewardship Grants program support habitat restoration, protection and enhancement projects, invasive species control, water quality improvements, and watershed planning and management within the Great Lakes basin. The Requests For Proposals (RFPs) are now available. Community Grants range from $25,000 to $150,000 and proposals due on October 15, 2009. Stewardship Grants range from $150,001 to $1,500,000 and pre-proposals are due on October 1, 2009, and invited full proposals will be due on December 15, 2009. Complete information is available from the links below.

The new website is designed to increase awareness of the SOGL program; Inform potential grantees about new funding opportunities and provide access to Requests For Proposals; Share information about previously funded projects and program accomplishments; Provide information on Great Lakes news and events; and Provide general information on the importance of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Access complete information and RFPs for the funding opportunities (click here). Access the SOGL website for complete information (click here).

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative News

Jul 28: The slides from the presentations being given by the U.S. EPA at the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Stakeholder Meetings [See WIMS 7/14/09] are now available online. The slides provide background information about the Great Lakes, the Initiative, Proposed Programs for implementation in Fiscal Year 2010, and the Great Lakes Multi-Year Action Plan Outline (Fiscal Years 2010 thru 2014). The Great Lakes Multi-Year Restoration Action Plan Outline is also available at the link below and stakeholder feedback may be submitted until by August 19, 2009 online.

Access the presentation slides (click here). Access the GLRI Action Plan (click here). Access the GLRI website for links to additional information and background (click here).

Restoration Initiative Interagency Funding Guide

Jul 20: In connection with U.S. EPA's recently announced Great Lakes Restoration Initiative meetings and comment opportunities on the Multi-Year Restoration Action Plan Outline [See WIMS 7/14/09], the Initiative has also released an Interagency Funding Guide, developed in order to provide one-stop-shopping for applicants interested in applying for over $250 million in grants and project agreements which would be expected to be available through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (if the full $475 million for the Initiative is appropriated). The comment period on the Restoration Plan extends until August 19.

These grants and project agreements are intended to jump-start achievement of the Initiative’s long term goals: safely eating the fish and swimming at our beaches, assuring safe drinking water, and providing a healthy ecosystem for fish and wildlife.

Access the Interagency Funding Guide (click here). Access the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative website with links to plan documents, commenting instructions and related information (click here).

Groups Remind Of Great Lakes 2009 Meetings

Jul 14: The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, consisting of more than 100 environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos, aquariums and museums representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes, issued a release reminding of the upcoming public comment meetings on the State of the Great Lakes 2009 report [See WIMS 6/19/09].

Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the HOW Coalition said, “This report clearly shows the need for Congress to act to restore the Great Lakes. Toxic pollution, invasive species and climate change threaten not only our health and quality of life, but the region’s economy. The U.S. House and Senate can advance Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery by fully funding the $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.” President Obama this year introduced a $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative [See WIMS 6/29/09], which has been passed in Senate committee and the full House of Representatives.

Next week, the EPA will kick-off a series of public comment sessions in the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to examine the initiative. The hearing schedule is: July 21, Milwaukee, WI; July 22, Chicago, IL; July 23, Merrilville, IN; July 27, Cleveland, OH; July 28, Erie, PA; July 29, Rochester, MI; August 3, Lansing, MI; and August 4, Duluth, MN.

Access an announcement from HOW and link to additional information and meeting specifics (click here). Access the Great Lakes Restoration website for more information (click here).

5th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference

Jul 7: The Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition 5th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference will take place September 10-12, in Duluth, MN at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Downtown Waterfront. The Coalition will reunite with friends, celebrate successes, and develop strategies to achieve the Great Lakes restoration goals for 2010 and beyond. The conference agenda will address critical issues such as linking Great Lakes restoration to economic recovery, working with the Obama administration to fulfill the $5 billion Great Lakes commitment, and securing Congressional funding for on the ground restoration work.

Access details and online registration (click here).

More Details On $475 Million Great Lakes Restoration

Jun 25: The President's 2010 Budget provides $475 million in EPA's budget for a new U.S. EPA-led, interagency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), is now making it way through Congress. The Initiative will target the most significant problems in the region, including invasive aquatic species, non-point source pollution, and contaminated sediment. Detailed EPA FY10 Budget documents, released in May, provided significant information on the plans for the FY 2010 $475 million in the proposed Administration budget [See WIMS 5/11/09]; however, the Initiative recently posted an additional 28-page document entitled, 2010 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Summary of Proposed Programs and Projects Sorted by Focus Area.

According to the document, to provide additional transparency regarding the Initiative, the Interagency Task Force has developed the document to provide a greater level of detail regarding the programs and projects proposed to be funded through the GLRI. The report provides summaries of each of the programs and projects proposed to be funded through the Initiative, if it is funded at the proposed level of $475 million. The summaries are organized by Focus Area and the Department or Agency that will lead the effort described.

Access the new document (click here). Access the GLRI website for links to all documents and related information (click here).

Alliance For The Great Lakes Head Will Be Obama's Great Lakes Chief

Jun 3: Cameron Davis, president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes (Alliance), has been tapped by the Obama administration to serve as special advisor to the U.S. EPA overseeing its Great Lakes restoration plan. Jack Bails, Alliance board chairman said, “Cameron Davis’s work at the Alliance for the Great Lakes during the last 23 years has helped put the Great Lakes on the national radar -- not only with the new administration and Congress, but with states, cities and countless citizens." The Alliance notes that during Davis's 11 years as chief executive, Davis led the organization to receive the American Bar Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Environmental Law & Policy, the first time a not-for-profit citizens organization has won the honor.

Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s vice president for policy and a staff member at the organization for eight years, will be appointed interim Alliance president and CEO upon Davis’s scheduled June 30 departure. An executive transition team has been appointed to assist Brammeier and help lead the organization through a search for Davis’s successor.

Davis was also the former co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (HOW). HOW campaign manager Jeff Skelding said, “We congratulate Davis in his new post, and applaud the Obama Administration for filling this important position. Davis understands the serious threats facing the Great Lakes and has worked tirelessly during his career to advance solutions that protect the Lakes, safeguard public health and create jobs." HOW indicated that Davis will be responsible for advising the EPA and ensuring and overseeing Great Lakes restoration. During the campaign for President, Obama pledged to provide $5 billion for Great Lakes restoration and a Czar to oversee and coordinate the program. Since becoming President, Obama has set aside $475 million for a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in his FY 2010 budget and made restoration a priority.

Access a release with further details from the Alliance (click here). Access a release from the HOW coalition (click here).

Groups Urge Congressional Support For Great Lakes Funding

May 14: Local, state, industry and conservation leaders called for the U.S. Congress to act to fund a new Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery initiative, unveiled last week with President Obama's budget [See WIMS 5/11/09]. Groups issuing a joint release included: Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition; Great Lakes Commission; Council of Great Lakes Industries; and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

In announcing his budget last week, President Obama released details of a $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to address some of the most urgent threats to the Great Lakes, including: $146 million to clean up toxic substances and Areas of Concern; $60 million to prevent or remove aquatic invasive species; $97 million to improve near-shore health and pollution prevention; $105 million for habitat and wildlife protection and restoration; and $65 million to evaluate and monitor progress.

Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition co-chairman Andy Buchsbaum said, "This is a precedent-setting restoration initiative from the president that will give the Great Lakes the medicine they need. Now, we need Congress to fund it." Great Lakes Commission Board Member Sean Logan, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said, "This new federal support will match the substantial funding that state and local governments are already investing in the Great Lakes. Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes requires a strong partnership with the federal government. Ohio and our fellow Great Lakes states urge Congress to provide the requested funding."

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative invests in priorities that track closely with a comprehensive clean-up strategy that has won the endorsement of the eight-state region's mayors, governors, businesses, industry and environmental leaders -- in part because of the growing awareness of the economic benefit of restoring the Lakes. The groups said Great Lakes Senators and Representatives can play an important role in helping fund the initiative in the annual Congressional appropriations process.

Access a release including statements from other supporters (click here).