“I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in supporting and protecting the Great Lakes – a source of 20 percent of the world’s surface fresh water and generator of 1.5 million jobs,” said Rep. Slaughter, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Caucus in the House. “This legislation will improve water quality, rid our water of invasive species and help clean up our beaches – especially Ontario Beach in my district – spurring tourism and expanding recreational activity opportunities.”
“It’d be difficult to exaggerate the impact that the Great Lakes have on regional commerce, tourism, recreation, and transportation. And we’ve only scratched the surface of potential in some of these areas,” Petri said. “It’s absolutely vital that we have in place good policy to make sure that future generations are able to enjoy the Great Lakes that are free from pollution, deterioration, and invasive species, which can all have serious long-term consequences. As a member of the Great Lakes Task Force in Congress, I am pleased to be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect this great natural resource.”
GLEEPA would:
Authorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, an action-oriented, results-driven initiative targeting the most significant problems within the basin, including aquatic invasive species, toxics and contaminated sediment, nonpoint source pollution, and habitat and wildlife protection and restoration.
Reauthorize the Great Lakes Legacy Act which has successfully at removed contaminated sediment from the U.S. Areas of Concern (AOC).
Reauthorize the Great Lakes National Program Office, the primary liaison between all Great Lakes programs and the EPA
Authorize The Great Lakes Interagency Task Force (IATF) which would bring together eleven U.S. Cabinet secretaries and federal agency heads to coordinate restoration of the Great Lakes amongst the different agencies.
Authorize the Great Lakes Advisory Board (GLAB), which will be composed of members representing a broad range of interests across the Great Lakes including, business, environmental groups, agricultural groups, foundations, youth groups, environmental justice groups, and academia. The GLAB will provide recommendations to the IATF on matters pertaining to Great Lakes restoration and protection.
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