NY's U.S. Senators Help Advance Great Lakes Restoration, Economic Recovery

• by Environmental Advocates of New York

ALBANY, NY (09/25/2009)(readMedia)-- Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, helped advance Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery last night by voting for an appropriations bill with $400 million to address some of the most urgent threats to the Great Lakes, including invasive species, toxic pollution and habitat restoration.

"We applaud Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for taking action to restore the Great Lakes, safeguard public health, create jobs and uphold our way of life," said Dereth Glance, Executive Program Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "Today's action will jump-start the restoration of Lakes Erie and Ontario and lay the foundation for long-term economic prosperity."

The funding in the 2010 Interior and Environmental Protection Agency funding bill supports the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, first proposed by President Barack Obama in his inaugural budget, and later funding by the U.S. House of Representatives at $475 million. House and Senate negotiators will decide final funding for the initiative.

"President Obama's proposal for a major reinvestment in the Great Lakes lays the foundation for long-term economic gains in New York by targeting funding to address the major threats facing the Lakes and keep New Yorkers working," said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York. "As the State has made similar investments in restoring the Lakes, it's time for the federal government to do the same and we urge the House and Senate to agree to the full $475 million request."

"We are looking for our state's two senators to push this across the finish line at full funding," said Brian Smith, WNY Program Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "The urgent threats to NY's Great Lakes demand strong federal action and we look forward to working with House and Senate leaders to fully fund this initiative at $475 million, before the problems get worse and more costly."

The $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative strives to clean up contaminated sediments which threaten public health; prevent the introduction of invasive species which cost the region at least $200 million per year in damages and control costs; prevent run-off and other pollution responsible for beach closures; and restore habitat that is the foundation of the region's outdoor recreational economy.

"The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a big down payment on a critical, multi-year effort to restore lakes Erie and Ontario and revive our economy," said Katherine Nadeau, Water & Natural Resources Program Associate, Environmental Advocates of New York. "We encourage New York's Congressional delegation to fund this initiative, put people to work, and restore the lakes and our economy."

The Brookings Institution found that the region will gain at least $2 in economic benefit for every $1 invested in Great Lakes restoration.

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Audubon New York, the 50,000 member State program of the National Audubon Society, is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitats that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) is an 80,000 member non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization that works to empower communities and advocate solutions that protect public health and the natural environment.

Environmental Advocates of New York's mission is to protect the state's air, land, water and wildlife and the health of all New Yorkers. Based in Albany, we monitor state government, evaluate proposed laws, and champion policies and practices that will ensure the responsible stewardship of our shared environment. The tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization is also the New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.