Press Release

February 06, 2024

ELPC Welcomes Bipartisan Call to Reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

“Protecting the Great Lakes’ safe clean drinking water, healthy fisheries and enjoyable outdoor recreation is a value shared by all”

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STATEMENT BY HOWARD A. LEARNER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY CENTER

“The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) urges Congress to reauthorize the successful Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) with higher funding for fiscal years 2027-31. The Great Lakes is where we live, work and play. Protecting safe clean drinking water, healthy fisheries and enjoyable outdoor recreation is a value shared by all.”

“ELPC commends Senators Debbie Stabenow and J.D. Vance in the Senate and Representatives David Joyce, Marcy Kaptur, Bill Huizenga, and Debbie Dingell in the House – for their bipartisan leadership to reauthorize this successful program for five more years. ELPC also appreciates the strong support from members of the Senate and House Great Lakes Task Forces for joining as original cosponsors of the reauthorizing legislation.”

“The Great Lakes provide drinking water supplies to 42 million people. Reauthorizing GLRI for five more years with increased funding is essential to combat: harmful algae outbreaks in western Lake Erie, Green Bay, and Lake Superior; threats from invasive carp and other invasive species; protect shoreline wetlands and coastal resilience; and clean up Superfund and other toxic sites. More intense storms driven by climate change create more stress on Great Lakes infrastructure and the ecosystem.

“Since GLRI was launched in 2010, it has provided essential funding to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface waterbody in the world but more works remain to be done. We look forward to seeing this bill become law.”