The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provides critical funding to protect the Great Lakes and surrounding ecosystems.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2024 passed unanimously through the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works.
The GLRI Act of 2024 would extend the GLRI for another five years through 2031, and increase annual authorization levels from $475 million in 2026 to $500 million from 2027 through 2031. The legislation has been championed by Senators JD Vance (R-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and other members of the Great Lakes Task Force.
“The Great Lakes are an invaluable asset to the people of Ohio – I’m proud to partner with Senator Stabenow on legislation that will continue to protect them for generations to come,” said Senator Vance, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative delivers the tools we need to fight invasive species, algal blooms, pollution, and other threats to the ecosystem. This is a commonsense, bipartisan effort that I encourage all of my colleagues to support.”
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has focused federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of carp and other invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting our streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, and prevent future contamination.
The Great Lakes and its watersheds continue to be stressed by contamination and threats to water quality, and are under increasing pressure from new invasive species, erosion, and habitat destruction. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative ensures that vital efforts to protect our water can continue and that we can address new and emerging threats to our lakes and waterways.
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