Citing environmental and economic benefits for the Midwest region, members of Michigan and Ohio’s Republican congressional delegation helped shepherd an appropriations bill to approval on Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives that would maintain full funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in fiscal year 2019.
The GLRI aims to protect and restore the five Great Lakes, which collectively make up the largest system of fresh water in the world.
U.S. Reps. Mike Bishop, John Moolenaar and Fred Upton of Michigan and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce from Ohio each praised House approval of funding for the GLRI in the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2019, H.R. 6147. The bill recommends $300 million in funding for the GLRI, the same as in fiscal year 2018 and $270 million above the requested amount.
“Protection for the Great Lakes is a top priority for Michigan residents, and as our state’s only member of the House Appropriations Committee I successfully worked to make sure it was included in today’s legislation,” Rep. Moolenaar said. “The GLRI benefits our state and does vital work to help ensure Michigan families will be able to enjoy the Great Lakes this summer and for years to come.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the GLRI has provided funding to 16 federal organizations since 2010 in order to target major threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem. Keeping the water safe from pollution and toxic chemicals remains a priority, as does targeting invasive species such as Asian Carp and harmful algal blooms.
The GLRI supports partnerships with conservation groups like Ducks Unlimited and backs work conducted by researchers at Central Michigan University to monitor the health of 10,000 miles of wetland that are critical to the Great Lakes ecosystem, according to a statement from Rep. Moolenaar’s office.
Rep. Bishop said he had serious concerns when the Fiscal Year 2019 Executive Budget proposed cutting GLRI funding and added that he’s pleased Congress prioritized funding for the important coalition.
“The GLRI supports thousands of restoration projects seeking to improve water quality, fight invasive species and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem,” Bishop said. “The health of our lakes is not a partisan issue, and I’ll continue my work in Congress to advance measures that preserve this precious natural resource for our future generations.”
Rep. Upton, who grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and who serves on the Great Lakes Caucus, said the passage of the appropriations bill was great news for the Great Lakes.
“This legislation fully funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative — a critical program that helps us strengthen and preserve our Great Lakes environment,” Rep. Upton said. “It also helps keep our Southwest Michigan economy strong. I was glad to vote for this needed funding and will continue fighting for our Great Lakes. Always.”
Writing in the July issue of the Ripon Forum, Rep. Joyce noted that fully funding the GLRI was an issue he worked on with many members of Congress who represent states with shorelines on the Great Lakes, including U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).
“This is truly a bipartisan issue that is not only so important to our region, but also the entire nation,” he said.
The Great Lakes provide fresh drinking water for more than 40 million people, Rep. Joyce wrote, referencing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
In June, the House approved the Water Resources Development Act, which included an amendment from Rep. Joyce to help keep invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. Invasive species of fish compete with native fish for food, and could impact the $4 billion Great Lakes sport fishing industry, the congressman said.
“In Congress I am known as the ‘Great Lakes guy,’” Rep. Joyce wrote on Facebook and Twitter. “I wear that badge with honor and I am happy to report that the important language I authored to secure full funding for the GLRI to protect and preserve the Great Lakes passed the House this morning,” he said on July 19.
Introduced by U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) on June 19, H.R. 6147 includes a total of $35 billion in funding for federal programs that protect and preserve the country’s natural resources. The House approved the bill in a 217-199 vote and the measure advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration.