“Remarkable turnaround”—Budget Shows Strong Bipartisan Support for Continued Great Lakes Investment
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition
Contact: Lindsey Bacigal, BacigalL@nwf.org, 734-887-7113
“Remarkable turnaround”—Budget Shows Strong Bipartisan Support for Continued Great Lakes Investment
ANN ARBOR, MICH. (JANUARY 8, 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. Given the significant cuts proposed in 2025, this outcome represents a hard-fought victory for the Great Lakes. The bill now goes to the Senate for final approval before it is sent to the President.
"Last year we faced the prospect of devastating budget cuts to Great Lakes programs. Maintaining funding—and even securing small increases—is a remarkable turnaround," said Laura Rubin, director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. "This demonstrates strong bipartisan commitment to the Great Lakes and validates that our restoration work and water infrastructure investments deliver real results. With thirty million people depending on these waters for drinking water, jobs, and health, continued investment isn't optional, it's essential.”
Highlights include:
A $1 million increase for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for a total of $369 million for the year
Steady water infrastructure funding, including State Revolving Funds (Clean Water: $1.639 billion; Drinking Water: $1.126 billion), Small Disadvantaged Communities program ($28.5 million), Reducing Lead in Drinking Water program ($22 million), Sewer Overflow program ($41 million), and workforce training grants ($5.4 million)
Modest increases for the Clean Water Act programs: Sec. 319 ($175.3million, a $750,000 increase), Sec. 106 pollution control grants ($226.4 million, a $750,000 increase), and Public Water Systems Supervision ($116.7 million, a $750,000 increase)
Steady funding for the Department of the Interior: $3 million for the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program, $15 million for the USGS Science Center, $31 million for Fish and Wildlife Service invasive carp work
Project specific U.S. Army Corps funding: $28 million for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam aquatic nuisance species barrier, $3 million for the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study, $12.979 million for the Chicago carp barrier
Since 2004, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition has been harnessing the collective power of more than 200 groups representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Learn more at HealthyLakes.org or follow us on social media @HealthyLakes.
