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House committee keeps funding for Great Lakes cleanup in federal budget

steve carmody
/
Michigan Radio
Lake Michigan (file photo)

Congress is taking a step toward fully restoring funding fora program to clean up pollution in the Great Lakes region.

Federal agencies use Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) resources to target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem. 

President Trump’s budget plan unveiled earlier this yearslashed funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.The money instead would go to building a wall on the southern border.

The proposal drew opposition from Republicans and Democratsalike. In March, more than 60 members of Congress signed a letter to U.S. House leadership urging the GLRI be funded at $300 million in the 2018 appropriations bill.

Today, the House Appropriations Committee is out with its budget plan, which includes $300 million for Great Lakes restoration.

Michigan Republican John Moolenaar says the “initiative does vital work across Michigan to protect the Great Lakes and the streams, rivers and lakes." 

Ohio Democrat Marcy Kaptur praises “the bipartisan effort” to restore the Great Lakes funding.

But the budget is far from set in stone, and changes may still come, before the final budget lands on the president’s desk.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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