House approves Upton’s bipartisan fisheries support measure as part of larger bill

The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 11 approved a larger environmental measure that includes language from a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) to support fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin between the United States and Canada.

“I am grateful for the bipartisan efforts that helped make this legislation possible and am proud to see it pass the House,” Rep. Upton said about his included bill, the Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act of 2019, H.R. 1023.

The congressman in February introduced H.R. 1023 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) to authorize the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct monitoring, scientific assessments and research in support of the Great Lakes Basin fisheries.

Language from H.R. 1023 is now part of the House-approved and renamed H.R. 729, the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act, sweeping legislation that aims to preserve coastal communities and natural habitats, among numerous provisions.

“Michigan, the Great Lakes region, and the entire nation rely heavily on Great Lakes fisheries to support the economy and feed our families,” said Rep. Upton, who noted that his bill specifically “will provide the Great Lakes Science Center with the necessary funding and cutting-edge tools they need to help ensure our fisheries remain a strong economic driver for generations to come.”

According to Rep. Quigley, the Great Lakes Science Center for too long has had to rely on “unreliable, piecemeal funding” to support its mission.

The language from the bill will replace the current Great Lakes Science Center authorization and provide a dedicated funding stream, according to the lawmakers.