Press Releases

President Obama Signs Great Lakes Restoration Initiative into Law

Historic Initiative Propels Restoration, Economic Recovery Forward

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—President Obama signed into law on Friday a historic $475 million initiative to address urgent threats to the Great Lakes—the largest supply of surface fresh water in the world.

“With one stroke of his pen, President Obama has propelled Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery forward,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “This is a great day for anyone who cares about clean beaches, safe drinking water, and abundant fish and wildlife populations. This is a victory for the millions of people, businesses and communities which Read More » »

House Approves $475M Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The effort to restore the Great Lakes advanced in the U.S. Congress, as the House of Representatives today approved $475 million to fund a new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative first proposed in President Obama’s budget.

House Appropriations subcommittee fully funds Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (Coalition Statement)

The U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee today approved full funding for the new $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which addresses some of the most urgent threats to the Great Lakes, including invasive species, toxic pollution and habitat restoration.

The Train Keeps on Moving

Good news in the effort to restore the Great Lakes and revitalize the economy.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson at a U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing gave an update on how economic recovery act funds were being used to jump-start the economy, protect human healthy and safeguard the environment.

Said Jackon: “Funding these programs will not only help our economic recovery, but they will protect and increase the number of green jobs, sustain communities, restore and preserve the economic viability of property, promote scientific advances and technological innovation, and ensure a safer, healthier environment.”

Read the her full Read More » »

Michigan to Get $236 Million from EPA, a Boost to Great Lakes Restoration, Economic Recovery

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (PRESS RELEASE)—The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition praised the recent announcement by the U.S. EPA that the state of Michigan is receiving $236 million as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for water infrastructure projects in the state.

“This is a huge boost for the Great Lakes and for Michigan jobs,” said Andy Buchsbaum, regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Regional Center and co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “These investments are an  excellent first step to promote economic recovery and Great Lakes restoration while protecting the health Read More » »

Senate Committee Endorses $475 Million for Great Lakes Restoration in Budget

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (March 27, 2009)—The U.S. Senate Budget Committee yesterday passed its budget resolution that calls for a commitment of $475 million to restore the Great Lakes—the largest surface fresh water source in the world.

“This budget resolution charts a path for congressional action to restore the Great Lakes and revive the economy,” said Tom Kiernan, president of the National Parks Conservation Association and co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We look forward to the full House and Senate passing a budget that advances Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery before the problems get worse and the solutions Read More » »

U.S. House Committee Endorses Great Lakes Restoration in Budget

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (March 26, 2009)—The U.S. House Committee on the Budget last night passed its budget resolution that calls for a commitment to restore the Great Lakes—the largest surface fresh water source in the world.

“This budget resolution charts a path for congressional action to restore the Great Lakes and revive the economy,” said Tom Kiernan, president of the National Parks Conservation Association and co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We look forward to the full House and Senate passing a budget that advances Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery before the problems get worse and the solutions Read More » »

House Triples Authorization for Great Lakes Toxic Clean-up in Bill

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (March 12, 2009) – On the heels of President Obama’s announcement of an unprecedented $475 million Great Lakes restoration fund in his budget, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill that triples the authorization from $54 million to $150 million of a program to clean up toxic pollution in the lakes.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition praised passage of the bill, the Water Quality Investment Act of 209 (H.R. 1262), which passed by a vote of 317 to 101.

“We applaud Rep. James Oberstar and the U.S. House of Representatives for increasing the authorization for this Read More » »

Great Lakes Toxic Clean-up Receives Funding Boost from House Committee

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (March 5, 2009) – The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition today applauded the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for tripling the authorization from $54 million to $150 million for a program to clean up toxic pollution in the Great Lakes.

“We applaud Rep. James Oberstar and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for increasing the authorization for this important and successful clean-up program,” said Jeff Skelding, national campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “Cleaning up toxic pollution benefits our public health, economy and way of life.”

In addition to authorizing the Great Lakes Legacy Act Read More » »

Historic $475 Million Obama Great Lakes Budget Will Create Jobs and Grow the Economy

Statement by Jeff Skelding, Campaign Director of Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition on the Obama Administration’s FY2010 Budget:

“The Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition applauds President Obama for an unprecedented investment of $475 Million in his Fiscal Year 2010 Budget to restore the Great Lakes – an effort that is key to creating jobs and growing our economy. Additionally, there could be as much as $1 billion in other Great Lakes Restoration funding provided to the Great Lakes states through increased funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs. Thirty-five million people rely Read More » »