Upton, Huizenga unveil bipartisan, bicameral bill to continue Great Lakes restoration funding

U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) are among 39 original cosponsors of the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2019, which would reauthorize and increase federal funding around the government’s efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world.

“Protecting our Great Lakes has always been and will always be one of my top priorities in Congress,” Rep. Upton said. “Bordering Lake Michigan, we simply have one of the most beautiful districts in the country, so we should do everything we can to support our Great Lakes.”

“By accelerating the cleanup of legacy pollution, taking greater action against invasive species, and increasing habitat restoration, this bipartisan legislation will further strengthen the ecology, as well as the economy of the Great Lakes,” added Rep. Huizenga.

The current act, which provides federal monies to maintain the beaches, shorelines and natural waters, improve water quality, fight invasive species, and restore the ecosystem of the Great Lakes region, is set to expire in 2021. 

Reps. Upton and Huizenga on July 25 introduced H.R. 4031 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) to extend funding for the GLRI through 2026 and increase funds to $375 million in 2022 from $300 million in 2021, subsequently increasing by $25 million each year until 2026, when it will reach $475 million.

Among the cosponsors joining the lawmakers were U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), John Katko (R-NY), Paul Mitchell (R-MI), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Tom Reed (R-NY), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Mike Turner (R-OH), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and lead Democrat Marcy Kaptur of Ohio.

U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) on July 25 introduced the same-named S. 2295 in their chamber.

Rep. Huizenga said that the Trump administration also supports the legislation.

“After speaking with the president earlier this year in west Michigan, it is clear that there is support for the GLRI in both Congress and at the White House,” Rep. Huizenga said on Aug. 2. 

Rep. Moolenaar noted that, “The Great Lakes are vital to our state and support thousands of Michigan jobs in fishing, boating and tourism.”