The Latest from the Coalition
On this page you can find the latest news from the Coalition, including stories of restoration successes, profiles of ongoing clean water issues, policy updates, and press releases.
Nitrate Pollution Costs Wisconsinites Money, Health, and Habitat
In groundwater sources across Wisconsin, an invisible pollutant is degrading aquatic ecosystems, threatening human health, and costing local communities millions of dollars. This chemical, known as nitrate, is the most widespread groundwater contaminant in Wisconsin, and it can cause serious problems. According to a new report, nitrate pollution has climbed steadily since 2013, affecting both municipal drinking water systems and private wells.
“Remarkable turnaround”—Budget Shows Strong Bipartisan Support for Continued Great Lakes Investment
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.
Coalition Urges EPA and Army Corps to Withdraw Proposed Revision to WOTUS
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.
House Committee Advances Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Reauthorization
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.
“It was unconscionable”: Funding Cuts Eliminate Environmental AmeriCorps Program in Northern Ohio
Federal funding cuts have led to the termination of an AmeriCorps program in Ohio, halting six years of environmental restoration work with Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners. The program’s wide-ranging work involved removing invasive species, expanding green infrastructure, monitoring water quality, increasing environmental resilience, educating the public, restoring habitats, maintaining trails, planting trees, managing greenhouses, and much more.
Celebrating the 2025 Great Lakes Conference
We had another successful Great Lakes Conference in 2025! Around 230 people joined us in Rochester, New York over the course of two days. We’re already planning the 2026 Great Lakes Conference and we hope you’ll join us next fall in Detroit, Michigan!
