Done Deal

We usually wax on about the first 100 days of a new President’s Administration, but President Barack Obama will go down in history for signing his name to the most sweeping economic recovery package within his first month of taking office. We can surely hope the $1.45 billion that will go to our Great Lakes region is only a down payment toward a full restoration package over the next four years. As it stands now, we can expect to create more than 50,000 jobs with the billion-in-a-half coming our way to modernize our wastewater infrastructure and prevent sewage contamination.

“This bill is a shot in the arm for job creation and Great Lakes restoration,” said Tom Kiernan, co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has set aside $4 billion for states to upgrade sewers and drinking water infrastructure in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF).

“These investments will put people to work immediately, jump-start Great lakes restoration and pave the way for long-term economic growth and recovery,” said Andy Buchsbaum, co-chair of the Healing Our Waters Coalition. New York can expect the lion’s share of SRF funds among the Great Lakes states with $440 million coming to the Empire State and an expectation of 15,268 jobs. But even Minnesota – the Great Lakes state getting the least amount – $73 million – will still see thousands of jobs created with that investment.

Modernizing our sewer systems and cleaning up our drinking water is one of the best things for our region that will come out of this response to our economic crisis. Every year, 23 billion gallons of sewage flow into the lakes because of outdated wastewater infrastructure. We have estimated it will cost nearly $14 billion to upgrade the sewer systems in our region. The 1.45 billion is a great start toward our long-term goal.

“Unless America invests in the Great Lakes to stop sewage contamination, invasive species and other serious threats, the problems will get worse and the price we pay will be higher,” said Jill Ryan, executive director of Freshwater Future and co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We look forward to working with Congress and the Obama Administration to restore this great American resource, because we know that an ailing Great Lakes cannot support a healthy economy.”

• Posted by Tiffany Danitz Pache on February 17th, 2009
• Tags: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Andy Buchsbaum, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, drinking water, First 100 Days, Jill Ryan, President Barack Obama, Sewers, Tom Kiernan
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