WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Funding to protect and restore the Great Lakes would be eliminated under President Trump’s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget.
Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. She says the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative hasn’t seen funding below $300,000 since 2010, and it could be cut entirely if Congress approves the budget.
“It’s been absolutely critical in cleaning up the Great Lakes and other waterways, restoring fish and wildlife habitat, and, of course, fighting invasive species like sea lamprey and the Asian carp,” she says.
Stabenow notes Michigan still has beaches where people can’t swim, still needs to protect against the threat of Asian carp, and still has issues with water quality.
“We’re 20 percent of the world’s fresh water,” she says. “The Great Lakes supports more than 1.5 million jobs. And, in addition to supporting robust agriculture and drinking water for 40 million people in the Great Lakes basin… and fishing and boating and jobs. I mean, this is really about our way of life.”
Stabenow says Great Lakes issues are bipartisan, and lawmakers need to make sure the cuts aren’t approved.
