Progress to restore the Great Lakes and protect the drinking water for more than 40 million people would be severely undermined by the Trump Administration’s proposed budget, calling for drastic cuts to core environmental and clean water programs.

In early March, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition brought over 80 advocates from across the Great Lakes region to Washington, D.C. for Great Lakes Day—an annual event focused on the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes. The event gathered passionate environmental activists, local leaders, and concerned citizens who are committed to ensuring clean water and a sustainable future for the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes supporters are in Washington, D.C., with the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, to urge members of Congress to continue their support for federal investments to protect the drinking water, public health, jobs, and quality of life for the millions of people in the eight-state region.

Materials from Great Lakes Day 2025

The Coalition is seeking creative proposals for visits to restoration sites, businesses or communities benefiting directly from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition supports new bipartisan federal legislation to restore and protect the Great Lakes – the source of drinking water for more than 42 million people. The Senate legislation reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, allowing up to $500 million annually in support of restoration actions in the region.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition supports new bipartisan federal legislation to restore and protect the Great Lakes. The legislation reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, allowing up to $500 million annually in support of restoration actions in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to clean up toxic pollution, curb farm and city runoff, restore wildlife habitat, and confront invasive species.

The U.S. Senate last night passed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024. It is important that the House pass the bill in the remaining days of Congress, as a failure to act will mean that the Great Lakes congressional delegation will have to start from square one with a new Congress in January 2025.