Great Lakes Regional Collaboration

Michigan Columnist Calls on Voters to Highlight Great Lakes in 2008 Election

Syndicated columnist George Weeks this week highlighted the importance of Michigan to demand more from the 2008 presidential candidates. He writes: the key thing is for Michigan voters to stress the issue as candidates campaign here. He also mentions Michigan’s efforts to move forward on Great Lakes restoration, as well as the Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives Boat Tour as important ways to get the candidates’ attention this summer. Click here to contact the presidential candidates about the Great Lakes.

The Day after Tomorrow: The Great Lakes in Crisis

Close your eyes and think of the worst disaster movie you’ve ever seen, OK, do you have it set in your mind’s eye? The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is releasing a report that shows the expected impacts of global warming on the Great Lakes – nearly 95 percent of this nation’s fresh surface water – are much more devastating than anything you could have imagined.

Great Lakes Restoration and the Threat of Global Warming makes it clear that the Great Lakes are poised to reach an irrevocable crisis Read More » »

New Analysis: Restoring Great Lakes Will Bring Major Lakeside Cities Each $200 Million to $13.3 Billion in Economic Gains

Passage of federal, state, and local legislation to fund restoration needed to realize potential gains

Ann Arbor, MI (April 16, 2008)—A new analysis finds that major Great Lakes cities will see economic gains between $200 million to $13.3 billion if the Great Lakes are restored. This report is a supplement to The Brookings Institution’s “Healthy Waters, Strong Economy” report released in November 2007 that found that Great Lakes restoration would bring the region approximately $80 to $100 billion in both short-term and long-term economic gains. This analysis shows that a significant portion of those gains would go directly to major population Read More » »

Sign a Petition to Congress on the Great Lakes

Freshwater Future (formerly Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund) has initiated an online petition urging Members of Congress to act this year to pass and fully fund legislation to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Healing Our Waters Coalition staff worked closely with Freshwater Future on the development of this petition, and we encourage one and all to sign it and forward to colleagues, friends, and family. Freshwater Future and the HOW Coalition will work to tally signatures from constituents of particular members of Congress in the Great Lakes and deliver the petitions at in-district events during the Read More » »

Great Lakes, a National Resource, Is Victim of National Neglect

Statement by Jeff Skelding, National Campaign Director, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition
on New Report by Great Lakes Commission and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 27) – “This report underscores that the Great Lakes – a national resource – is the victim of national neglect.

“Despite the recognized importance of the Great Lakes as an economic engine and environmental masterpiece for the nation, the lakes have had to rely primarily on local governments to fight pollution and generally stay healthy.

“This report sends a clear message to lawmakers in Washington, D.C.: Stop short-changing the Great Lakes. 

“The longer Read More » »

Great Lakes, a National Resource, Is Victim of National Neglect

Statement by Jeff Skelding, National Campaign Director, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition
on New Report by Great Lakes Commission and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 27) – “This report underscores that the Great Lakes – a national resource – is the victim of national neglect.

“Despite the recognized importance of the Great Lakes as an economic engine and environmental masterpiece for the nation, the lakes have had to rely primarily on local governments to fight pollution and generally stay healthy.

“This report sends a clear message to lawmakers in Washington, D.C.: Stop short-changing the Great Lakes. 

“The longer Read More » »

Some in Ohio and Wisconsin Need Convincing

The recent momentum generated by Indiana and New York’s approval of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact may not be enough to convince a few lawmakers in Ohio and Wisconsin to follow suit. Legislators in the two states, currently a battlefield for the democratic presidential nominating process, are also stymieing the compact over last minute legalistic arguments. At stake is the ability of the Great Lakes states to keep the water in the Great Lakes, as well as limit invasive species and ecological devastation.

“This is a shortsighted move that places the special interests of a 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 » »

Eight Is Enough

Indiana’s Senate has discovered a good way to ensure that the Great Lakes don’t lose precious water to Southern and Western states – and that they remain ecologically and economically sound by passing the regional Compact.

If Indiana’s House shows similar support – the Senate passed it unanimously – then it will become the third state to agree to regulate, conserve and protect the five lakes. Minnesota and Illinois have signed the compact. There are rumblings in New York supporting it too, according to recent news stories that have appeared in the Buffalo News and the Rochester Read More » »

Signup for Great Lakes Day 2008

Washington, DC, February 27-28, 2008

Registration / Scholarship applications due February 1st

As part of the annual Great Lakes Day in Washington, D.C., the Healing Our Waters® (HOW) -Great Lakes Coalition helps to bring coalition members and allies from the Great Lakes states to Washington to discuss the importance of restoring and protecting the Great Lakes with elected officials on Capitol Hill. Learn more and register here:

http://www.healthylakes.org/great-lakes-day-2008-event-registration