December 10, 2024

Howard A. Learner

Senate Passes Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; House Vote Urgent

The U.S. Senate reauthorized funds for the program that protects the Great Lakes. Now it’s the House’s turn.

Good News: On December 4, 2024, the U.S. Senate reauthorized the successful Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) through 2031 to continue restoring and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Now the bill moves to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it must pass in the next few days to continue the vital federal funding program that helps protect the Great Lakes. We need your help, tell your Representative to pass GLRI here:

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Thank you to U.S. Senate lead sponsor Senator Debbie Stabenow, and co-sponsors U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey, Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Gary Peters, Chuck Schumer, Tina Smith, JD Vance and Todd Young for passing this important legislation.

What is GLRI?

Since 2010, GLRI has invested about $4 billion for wetlands restoration, beach protection, clean ups of toxic waste sites, and invasive species management through thousands of projects administered by the U.S. EPA and other federal agency partners.

The Great Lakes are a global gem. They contain 21% of the planet’s surface fresh water supply, and 42 million people rely on the Great Lakes for safe drinking water. They provide a rich aquatic habitat for many species. They support a $7 billion annual fishing industry, and Great Lakes recreation draws millions of tourists who boost the economies of shoreline communities. In short, the Great Lakes are where many millions of people live, work, and play.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative creates an effective system of coordination among federal agencies, state entities, and local partners to achieve important outcomes to make a meaningful difference for the Great Lakes. Since its inception, the program has achieved strong results with sustained funding.

GLRI has broad regional economic benefits. A University of Michigan study showed that every federal dollar spent on GLRI projects between 2010 and 2016 will produce $3.35 in additional economic activity in the Great Lakes region through 2036.

What’s next?

Now it’s time for the House of Representatives to step up and get the GLRI Act of 2024 over the finish line before the end of this Congress. The projects funded by the GLRI over the past decade have helped ensure the continued health of the Great Lakes, which are important for Midwestern jobs, recreation, and clean safe drinking water for 42 million people in the U.S.

We are looking to U.S. House leaders including U.S. Reps. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) and U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, Bill Huizenga (R-MI), David Joyce (R-OH), Marci Kaptur (D-OH), Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), to pass this important Great Lakes legislation now. If you live in one of these districts, please contact your legislator here:

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One key step accomplished, one more to hopefully follow.