Speeches

EPA Administrator on Invasive Species, Great Lakes

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s remarks have been gaining media attention in the region–especailly her call to get tough on aquatic invasive species.

Here are some of the first ones to hit.

From the Associated Press: EPA chief reconsidering ship ballast permit

And this from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: EPA chief open to tougher policy on invasive species

You can view Lisa Jackson’s remarks on YouTube here.

EPA Administrator on YouTube Discussing Great Lakes

You can now view EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s speech on the Great Lakes on YouTube. Check it out and tell us what you think.

Watch for more videos from Healthy Lakes on YouTube here.

EPA Administrator: ‘We’re Back on the Job’

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson re-affirmed the Obama Administration’s support for the Great Lakes, vowing, “We’re back on the job.”

Administrator Jackson went through the list of Great Lakes restoration priorities, assuring advocates that the White House would work to restore the lakes.

“We remain committed to modernizing wastewater treatment,” said Jackson at none point.

Jeff Skelding, national campaign director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, had this to say about Administrator Jackson’s keynote address in front of Great Lakes Commission and Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition members.

“The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is pleased that the highest levels of the Obama Administration Read More » »

Public Issue #1

While the ink left by Michigan Governor Granholm’s signature is still wet on the Great Lakes Compact, her Lt. Governor John Cherry is embarking on a public awareness tour of the Great Lakes in Michigan. Starting today at Port Huron marking the Earth Voyager’s port of call, Cherry plans to launch his new agenda to talk up the value of the Lakes and get the next President-to-be fully engaged in restoring the Great Lakes. We need to protect this vast fresh water resource and get more federal dollars invested in the clean up and preservation. HOW supports Cherry Read More » »

Priorities: Something to Think About, President Bush

It really wasn’t surprising that President George Bush did not mention restoring the Great Lakes during his last State of the Union. It would have been truly shocking had he. But I held out hope. I mean George Bush is the guy who starting this collaboration among city, state, tribal, congressional and environmental gurus to protect the Great Lakes.

It is likely the President didn’t expect us to come back to him with such a pricey package of legislation – even for jaded Washington appropriators - $20 billion is a big deal. And Bush has witnessed smaller pieces of our Read More » »

Barack Obama Sends Emissary to HOW Conference

Illinois Senator Barack Obama deserves some kudos from Great Lakes advocates of every political persuasion. Of all the presidential hopefuls, he is the only one to respond to the invitation to speak to the coalition’s annual conference. During the presentation, Obama, a democrat, committed to working for the passage of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act. Although, he didn’t appear himself, he sent his words and sentiments with a local politician, Debra Shore.

Shore, a self-described gay, Jewish, conservation advocate, representing a skinny, black man with a funny name – cheerfully and with humor brought Obama’s message to the HOW coalition. Read More » »

Ohio Legislators Stepping Up to Confront Invasive Species

Strong words from Senator Voinovich (R-OH), Ohio DNR Director Sean Logan, and others earlier this week about passing ballast water legislation. We look forward to working with these folks to ensure that what gets passed in Congress will truly protect the Great Lakes from new introductions of invasive species.

From the Akron Beacon Journal:

Invasive fish like zebra mussels and round goby are “terrorists from abroad” and at the center of “the second battle of Lake Erie” Voinovich said at the news conference, which was hosted by the Ohio Environmental Council at Cleveland Lakefront State Park overlooking Lake Erie.

Full Akron Beacon Read More » »