Contact Legislator

Calling All Great Lakes US Senators

What do we want? A Ballast Bill. When do we want it? Now! Great Lakes Senators where are you? We are moving dangerously close to the end of the summer session and we still don’t have Senate approval for a ballast law – dooming us for another year (at least). Another year of ecological havoc, another year for a dozen or so invasive species to establish themselves in our fresh water, and another $5 billion in costs for our states, cha ching!

Please take heed and prevent more species such as the dreaded zebra mussels from entering our fresh waters. Ocean Read More » »

Location, Location, Location

Unfortunately, the dating term geographically undesirable (GU) also appears to apply to Congress Members attitude toward the Great Lakes and the issues we have fervently been working on. Usually an explanation of why a budding romantic relationship failed to flower, GU also defines a lack of leadership and perhaps interest in the Great Lakes for lawmakers representing the more far flung districts in our eight states.

After reviewing comments made by those who took part in Great Lakes Day 2008, it becomes clear rather quickly that geography had a lot to do with the kind of experience HOW members had when 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 » »

Stand Up for Clean Water Today!

In the wake of recent Supreme Court rulings that have rolled back clean water protections, a national coalition of conservation organizations is urging Great Lakes citizens to call their representatives today, Wednesday, September 26, urging them to support the Clean Water Restoration Act.

The bipartisan water bill would ensure that the Great Lakes, along with other streams, tributaries and wetlands are protected from further pollution under the Clean Water Act. We know, you thought that was already the case. Well, surprise, according to the group, it will take this act of Congress to reinstate the scope of the Clean Water Act Read More » »

Coalition Turns up Heat on Congress to Confront Threat of Invasive Species

As a deadly non-native fish virus spreads throughout the Great Lakes threatening the region’s sport fishery and small businesses, the Healing Our Waters Coalition is turning up the heat on Congress to pass laws to stop the onslaught of aquatic invasive species.

Today, more than 75 organizations from the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition are sending letters to the U.S. House of Representative and Senate urging them to respond to the urgent threat that invasive species pose to the Great Lakes, our health, our economy, and our way of life.

Here’s an excerpt:

“The Great Lakes region and our nation need a comprehensive Read More » »

Tell Congress to Pass Invasive Species Legislation Now

You can help in the fight against invasive species.

The Problem
Invasive species are the most pressing issues facing the Great Lakes region. They pose an unrelenting threat to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy. There are 185 known invasive species already in the Great Lakes, and a new one arrives on average every 28 weeks. Once a new species establishes itself, it is almost impossible to remove and incredibly difficult to contain. In instances where an invasive species is controlled, efforts must be sustained over the long-term in order to keep it from making a comeback. Immediate Read More » »

Call Your Elected Officials, Tell Them to Stand Up for the Great Lakes

One phone call from you can make a great difference in the effort to restore the Great Lakes.

Comprehensive federal legislation to stop invasive species and sewage contamination has been sitting dormant in Congress. It’s time to change that.

Let Congress know that delaying action to protect the Great Lakes, our economy and our way of life is not acceptable.

Pick up the phone and call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Ask to be connected to your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators.

Then, let us know what you hear by emailing our field director, Chris Grubb, at Grubbc@nwf.org.

Better yet, post an entry Read More » »