Staffer Briefing

Sen. Gillibrand “on message” for the Great Lakes

Here is a link to a North Country Public Radio story about President Obama’s commitment to Great Lakes Restoration that we understand will be airing on the NPR show Living On Earth.

What struck me most about this story was a short quote from the new junior Senator from New York, Kirsten Gillibrand. She absolutely nailed the message that investing in Great Lakes restoration will create jobs and grow the economy. The story also mentions that Senator Gillibrand intends to use her new seat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to fight for Great Read More » »

Wisc. Radio Network Interview re Great Lakes Funding

The Wisconsin Radio Network is running a story today featuring yours truly about the importance of Congress - especially appropriators - in following the President’s lead on investing in Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery.

Listen to the Wisconsin Radio Network story

Election of Barack Obama Holds ‘Great Promise for Restoration of Great Lakes’

Healing Our Waters®-Great Lakes Coalition

Election of Barack Obama Holds ‘Great Promise for Restoration of Great Lakes’

Coalition Vows to Work with President-Elect, New Congress to Restore and Protect Lakes, Boost Regional Economy

Statement by Jeff Skelding, national campaign director, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition on election of Sen. Barack Obama to President of the United States

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (November 5, 2008)— “The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is excited about Sen. Barack Obama’s victory and looks forward to working with his Administration and the new Congress for the change we need to restore and protect the Great Lakes—a national icon that is Read More » »

Coalition Welcomes Business Support for Great Lakes

Statement by Jeff Skelding, campaign director, Healing Our Waters® -Great Lakes Coalition

Today, more than 25 prominent regional chambers of commerce in the Great Lakes region—led by the Detroit Regional Chamber—released an agenda to grow the economy. Restoring the Great Lakes is one of the five pillars of the federal legislative agenda.

“The Healing our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition applauds these regional chambers of commerce around the Great Lakes for recognizing that the economic health of this region is inextricably tied to the health of our lakes.

“Today’s announcement by business leaders sends a clear message to Congress and the Presidential candidates: Read More » »

Presidential Candidate Support for Great Lakes Restoration Must Lead to Funding

Statement by Jeff Skelding, national campaign director,
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, on release of
Sen. Barack Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 16, 2008)—“The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition welcomes the attention that Great Lakes restoration is generating from both major party presidential candidates, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama.

“The release of Senator Obama’s plan indicates that the presidential candidates are getting serious about Great Lakes restoration. We look forward to the candidates trying to outdo each other on who is going to stand up for the millions of people, businesses and communities who rely on the Great Lakes 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 » »

Coalition Applauds Congress for Improving Great Lakes Funding

Coalition Applauds Congress for Improving Great Lakes Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 14) – The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition today praised the U.S. Senate for passing a budget that increases funding to essential Great Lakes programs to stop invasive species and restore fish and wildlife habitat.

“The U.S. Senate’s budget is a win for the Great Lakes and a win for the millions of people who depend on them for their jobs, health and way of life,” said Jeff Skelding, national campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We urge Congress to appropriate the money, because the longer we wait, Read More » »

Local Party Officials Urge Candidates on Great Lakes

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (November 16)—Republican and Democratic Party officials in key counties in Michigan are calling on the 2008 presidential candidates to support Great Lakes restoration funding.

Their call comes on the same day that State Sen. Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck Township), chair of the Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, and State Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), chair of the Great Lakes and Environment Committee, are sending a bi-partisan letter to presidential candidates urging them to embrace Great Lakes restoration.

“The time to act for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes is now, as we face an ever-increasing pressure from Read More » »

Great Lakes Lawmakers Vote to Override Bush Veto

Last night Great Lakes members of Congress from both parties rebuffed the Bush administration by voting to override his veto of a bill that authorizes funding for many Great Lakes restoration projects - the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

A recent AP Article includes quotes from several Michigan Representatives including Candice Miller (R), Bart Stupak (D), Tim Wallberg (R), and Vern Ehlers (R).

Despite reservations about environmentally suspect projects in other parts of the country, WRDA authorizes funding for completing the Asian carp barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. This is one of Read More » »