April 5, 2006

Audubon New York
Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Environmental Advocates of New York
Great Lakes United

New Great Lakes Clean-Up Bill Will Benefit Citizens of New York
‘An Essential Step in Long-term Effort to Restore Lakes Erie and Ontario and St. Lawrence River’

New York conservationists today hailed the introduction of a bipartisan bill to restore the Great Lakes by stopping invasive species introductions, halting sewage contamination, cleaning up toxic pollution and restoring wildlife habitat.

"Today is a day of hope," said David J. Miller, Executive Director of Audubon New York. "A little over one year ago, citizens and elected officials vowed to restore one of this country's great natural resources. Leaders in Congress delivered us one step closer to that goal. A lot of work remains, but we will not stop until we succeed in restoring and protecting the Great Lakes for people now and for generations to come."

The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act puts into practice priority recommendations of a $20 billion Great Lakes clean-up plan released in December as part of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, a planning process established by President Bush in 2004.

A bipartisan group of U.S. legislators introduced the bill, including U.S. Sens. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Carl Levin (D-Michigan) and Reps. Vern Ehlers (R-Grand Rapids) and Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago). Sponsors from New York include Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Charles Schumer and Representatives Louise Slaughter, Brian Higgins, Timothy Bishop, and Thomas Reynolds.

“The restoration of our Great Lakes is not a partisan issue,” said Adrienne Esposito Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “It is an issue of urgency. We will work with New York Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress to pass the bill and implement its common-sense solutions. This bill deserves support from anyone who cares about clean drinking water, safe beaches, and healthy fish and wildlife”

The bill introduction follows a March 16 hearing that examined the implementation of the $20 billion clean-up plan. At the hearing, industry leaders, conservationists and a bipartisan group of local, state and federal officials urged Congress to restore the lakes without delay.

“The health of the Great Lakes is key to the region’s—and New York State’s—overall environmental health. And the longer we take to restore the lakes, the more expensive the job gets,” said Rob Moore, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of New York. “Great Lakes restoration is the right thing to do for New York’s environment, our economy, and our quality of life, and this bill gets it right.”

The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act would:

• Stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species by enacting a comprehensive national program.
• SPrevent the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes by authorizing the Corps of Engineers to maintain and operate the dispersal barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and prohibit the importation and sale of Asian carp.
• SRestore fish and wildlife habitat by reauthorizing the Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Restoration Act at $20 million.
• SPrevent sewage contamination by reauthorize the State Revolving Loan Fund and provide $20 billion over five years to assist communities nationally with improving their wastewater infrastructure.
• SClean up contaminated sediment under the Great Lakes Legacy Act by authorizing $150 million per year.
• SPhase out mercury in products by establishing a new grant program and improving existing research programs.
• SCoordinate and improve Great Lakes programs by establishing the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force and the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration process.

“This bill identifies well-known, manageable solutions to the lakes’ most pressing problems,” said Reg Gilbert Senior Coordinator of Great Lakes United. “The bill’s comprehensive approach will lay the foundation for the long-term restoration of our precious lakes.”

The Great Lakes comprise almost 95 percent of the nation’s surface fresh water and supply drinking water to more than 25 million U.S. and Canadian residents. The Great Lakes also support a diversity of birds and other wildlife, including a world-class fishery, maritime trade, industry, and agriculture. New York State, serving as the gateway to the Great Lakes, has historically been a leader in advancing the protection of the Great Lakes. This year, Governor Pataki and the State Legislature have proposed increased state funding from the expanded Environmental Protection Fund, for clean up and restoration of the Great Lakes in New York.

“Today, the citizens of New York can be hopeful,” added Miller. “We are one step closer to cleaning up the Great Lakes. A lot of work remains, but we will not stop until we succeed in restoring and protecting the Great Lakes for people now and for generations to come.”

For more information, visit: http://www.restorethelakes.org