U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) said on Wednesday that he has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015.
The bill aims to protect the Great Lakes by authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative for fiscal 2016-2020 at $300
million annually. The bill also would provide for Great Lakes restoration efforts, including the remediation of toxic substances, prevention or control of invasive species such as Asian carp, protecting the restoration of near-shore health and prevention of nonpoint source water pollution, and protecting and restoring wildlife habitats.
“Protecting our Great Lakes for future generations continues to be one of my top priorities,” Upton said. “Our Great Lakes are the lifeline of Southwest Michigan and communities across the region. The Great Lakes restoration initiative is common-sense, bipartisan legislation that will help create and keep jobs, boost our local economy, stop the spread of invasive species like Asian carp and ensure safe drinking water. I look forward to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to get this done.”
With 43 co-sponsors, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.