Holland Reporter

U.S. Representatives Bill Huizenga, Debbie Dingell, Dave Joyce, and Marcy Kaptur have introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2024. The bipartisan bill aims to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which is set to expire in 2026, for another five years through 2031. The bill also seeks to increase the current authorization level from $475 million to $500 million in 2026.

Congressman Bill Huizenga, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, emphasizes the importance of the Great Lakes as a vital source of economic activity, recreation, and drinking water for millions of Americans. He states, "The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the leading federal program designed to clean up legacy pollution, restore habitats, and combat invasive species across the basin."

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, highlights the success of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in protecting and maintaining the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy. She stresses the need for strong bipartisan support to ensure the continuation of this meaningful work.

Congressman Dave Joyce, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, emphasizes the economic significance of the Great Lakes, which provide more than 1.5 million jobs, supply 90 percent of the nation's fresh surface water, and generate $62 billion in wages annually. He affirms the importance of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in addressing direct threats to the lakes, such as harmful algal blooms, water pollution, invasive species, and coastal erosion.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, expresses her commitment to funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which she considers one of her top priorities. She emphasizes the instrumental funding provided by the GLRI to meet the region's unmet needs, including drinking water, livelihoods, and leisure. Kaptur highlights the economic benefits of the GLRI, stating that it contributed $3.1 trillion to the economy in 2020, supporting 25.8 million jobs and $1.3 trillion in wages.

The bipartisan legislation has garnered support from various members of Congress, including Jack Bergman, Haley Stevens, John Moolenaar, Mike Quigley, Lisa McClain, Elissa Slotkin, John James, Gwen Moore, Claudia Tenney, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Max Miller, Brad Schneider, Bryan Steil, and Joseph Morelle in the House, and Senators Debbie Stabenow, J.D. Vance, Gary Peters, Todd Young, Amy Klobuchar, Dick Durbin, Sherrod Brown, John Fetterman, Kirsten Gillibrand, Tina Smith, Tammy Baldwin, Tammy Duckworth, Chuck Schumer, and Bob Casey in the Senate.

The legislation has also gained support from various organizations, including the Great Lakes Coalition, National Audubon Society, American Sportfishing Association, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, National Parks Conservation Association, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, Great Lakes Business Network, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Save the Dunes, and Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was established in 2010 to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world. Since its inception, the GLRI has provided over $3.37 billion to fund 6,851 projects throughout the Great Lakes region.

The introduction of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2024 by Representatives Huizenga, Dingell, Joyce, and Kaptur demonstrates the bipartisan commitment to preserving and protecting the Great Lakes. The bill's reauthorization and increased funding aim to ensure the continued success of the GLRI in addressing environmental challenges, supporting economic growth, and safeguarding the invaluable resources provided by the Great Lakes for future generations.