A bipartisan, bicameral bill offered on Feb. 6 by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) would reauthorize and increase funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, put in place in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world.
Rep. Joyce sponsored the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2024, H.R. 7257, with lead original cosponsor Rep. Huizenga and 17 other original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Bryan Steil (R-WI), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI). Sen. Young cosponsored the same-named S. 3738 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and 12 fellow original cosponsors.
“The Great Lakes are an important part of Indiana’s ecosystem and economy,” Sen. Young tweeted yesterday on X, formerly Twitter. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a results-driven program that addresses the most serious issues threatening the well-being of the Great Lakes basin.”
Rep. Joyce, co-chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, pointed out that the Great Lakes provide more than 1.5 million jobs, supply 90 percent of the nation’s fresh surface water, and generate $62 billion in wages every year.
“I am proud to be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reintroduce this critical legislation to protect and preserve the national treasure that is the Great Lakes ecosystem,” said Rep. Joyce, noting that the GLRI “supports efforts that confront direct threats facing the lakes like harmful algal blooms, water pollution, invasive species, and coastal erosion.”
Set to expire at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026, the GLRI would be reauthorized for another five years through FY 2031 under the proposed bill, and the current authorization level would be increased in FY 2026 to $500 million from $475 million, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“The Great Lakes serve as a vital source of economic activity, recreation, and drinking water for millions of Americans. For us in Michigan, the Great Lakes are a way of life,” said Rep. Huizenga, also a co-chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. “The [GLRI] is the leading federal program designed to clean up legacy pollution, restore habitats, and combat invasive species across the basin.”
“I will continue to lead efforts that prioritize the Great Lakes and work to protect, preserve, and strengthen these precious resources for future generations,” Rep. Huizenga said.
The measure has garnered support from numerous entities, including the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, the National Parks Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, the Great Lakes Coalition, the National Audubon Society, the American Sportfishing Association, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and the Environmental Law and Policy Center, among others.