The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition applauds the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for convening today's hearing on restoration efforts in the Great Lakes region.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is deeply concerned by the federal budget proposal released today for its sweeping, reckless cuts to the agencies and programs that protect the Great Lakes, enforce clean water laws, and safeguard the drinking water of more than 30 million Americans across the region.

eat 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 of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. 

Materials from Great Lakes Day 2026

The House has passed a three-bill funding package that includes funding for the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Army Corps of Engineers for Fiscal Year 2026. Great Lakes and clean water programs largely maintained funding levels, with modest increases in several areas.

The Coalition, along with more than 70 member groups submitted a letter urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their proposed revision to the definition of “Waters of the United States,” warning that the rule would dramatically weaken the Clean Water Act and put Great Lakes waters at risk.

This morning, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the American Water Stewardship Act (H.R. 6422), a legislative package that included a 5-year reauthorization of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition applauds this important step in the legislative process.

Materials from Fall Fly-in 2025