December 05, 2024
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2024 last night, and the Environmental Law & Policy Center is urging the House to pass it as well to continue the vital federal funding program that helps protect the Great Lakes. The program includes funding for toxic pollution cleanup efforts, fish and wildlife habitat restoration, pollution runoff mitigation projects, and invasive species prevention efforts for the Great Lakes.
The bill, which provides an increase in investment up to $475 million annually, would continue the much-needed funding for conservation and restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes. An estimated 42 million people depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water.
“We are thankful the Senate passed the bill. 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,” said Howard Learner, ELPC’s Executive Director. “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.”
ELPC is especially thankful to the members of the Great Lakes delegation in Congress who have been champions of this bill: in the Senate, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and in the House, U.S. Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.)