By MELISSA MALOTT – Ashland Daily Press
Published: Thursday, November 4, 2010 11:44 AM CDT
The effort to restore the Great Lakes is at a crossroads. In the coming weeks, the U.S. Congress will make decisions that either help or hinder the restoration of lakes Michigan and Superior, along with the other Great Lakes. Wisconsin’s congressional delegation must fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in full and pass the Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act. Both pieces of legislation are vital for the millions of Wisconsinites who depend on the Lakes for their jobs, drinking water, public health and way of life.
Unfortunately, both the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and the Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act (H.R. 4755/S. 3073) face uncertain futures. Congress is threatening to sharply cut the GLRI from $475 million to $300 million, or less. At the same time, it is unclear whether lawmakers will vote on the Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act at all.
