Healing Our Waters Coalition » Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Coalition Grants Helping Groups Participate in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Jordan Lubetkin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:24:44 +0000

For Immediate Release:
January 26, 2012

Contact:
Jordan Lubetkin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, 734-887-7109

$200,000 in grants leads to more than $1.6 million in federal funds for restoration projects in high-priority areas

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (Jan. 23, 2012) —The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition today announced that $200,000 in grants it issued in 2010 to help local conservation groups participate in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has resulted in more than $1.6 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds for restoration projects—an 8-to-1 return on investment.

The $200,000 in coalition grants also led to an additional $4.2 million in state, federal and private funds to support restoration work.

“The coalition’s grant program is producing results,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “The program is successfully helping local groups participate in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and other state and federal restoration programs. Our seed grants, and the additional funds they leveraged, will accelerate restoration activities in the areas most in need of restoration and in places that can provide the most ecological benefit.”

Total 2010 Coalition Grant Awards	$200,000
Total GLRI Applications	12
Total GLRI Awards	6
Total GLRI Funding Leveraged	$1,693,963
Return on Investment (GLRI)	8-to-1
Additional Funding Leveraged	$4,215,832
Total Restoration Funding Leveraged	$5,909,795
Return on Investment (All restoration programs)	29-to-1

A complete list of the coalition’s 2010 grants and evaluation can be found here.

For the past two years, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition has awarded grants of up to $15,000 to local groups so that they can compete for federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants, which support activities to clean up toxic sediments, restore habitat and wetlands, confront invasive species and reduce polluted run-off from cities and farms.

The coalition focuses its grants program in five geographic priority areas, as selected by scientists, where restoration dollars will be most beneficial: The St. Louis River and St. Louis Bay in Lake Superior; the waters of Lake Michigan in the Chicagoland area; Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay; western Lake Erie and eastern Lake Ontario.

“The coalition grants have provided a boost for local groups that are on the front lines of Great Lakes restoration efforts,” said Jill Ryan, executive director of Freshwater Future, which acts as the Healing Our Waters Coalition’s Implementation Coordinator. “We’re glad to see high-priority areas receive funding and look forward to working with the U.S. EPA to continue investing federal dollars so that we get the most restoration bang for our buck.”

The coalition grants supported a variety of restoration projects that are addressing serious problems facing the Great Lakes, including: phosphorus pollution; noxious algae; failing septic systems; and the invasive reed Phragmites, which is crowding out native plant species at numerous sites across the region. The grants also supported efforts to remove dams, restore wetlands and other fish and wildlife habitat.

Among the coalition’s grant recipients, Alliance for the Great Lakes in Chicago, Ill., received a $15,000 coalition grant, which helped the group win $150,000 from Sustain Our Great Lakes and $226,950 from EPA through the competitive grants process under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

“With a jump start from HOW’s investment, communities up and down the Illinois shoreline are making the most of their unique glacial ravines,” said Angela Larsen, Coastal Program manager for the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “Great Lakes coasts are home to a stunning array of biodiversity, and we’re ecstatic to help landowners make the restoration connection to the lakes.”

Western Lake Erie Waterkeeper Association in Toledo, Ohio, received $15,000 from the coalition, which was leveraged to receive almost $500,000 from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

“Getting a grant for preliminary work to set up an invasive species early detection project in western Lake Erie was great,” said Sandy Bihn, Lake Erie Waterkeeper. “Invasive species pose a real threat to the Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes. The initial small grant helped establish new networks to connect research with Lake Erie community-based education and outreach—collaboration that will continue with the support of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant.”

The Bad River Watershed Association in Ashland, Wis., received a $3,000 grant from the coalition that helped the organization earn a $300,000 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant.

“The Healing Our Waters grant the Bad River Watershed Association (BRWA) received in 2010 was an important part of helping BRWA strengthen relationships with local natural resources partners” said Matt Hudson, Watershed Action Director for the Bad River Watershed Association. “These strong relationships helped BRWA receive a portion of a 2-year GLRI grant in 2011 and lay the foundation for much of our work to maintain and improve the health of the Bad River Watershed.”

The St. Louis River Alliance in Duluth, Minn., received two seed grants from the coalition. The first, for $10,000, led to $250,000 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The second award for $14,976 led to a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for $268,401.

“The coalition grant program provided key funding that made it possible for us to seek Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding,” said Julene Boe, executive director for the St. Louis River Alliance. “I’m very pleased that these efforts were successful in receiving funding for two projects that will make a difference in the St. Louis River Area of Concern.”

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has provided $775 million for Great Lakes restoration projects in its first two years. The program received another $300 million in fiscal year 2012.

Restoring the lakes is good for fish and wildlife, tourism, human health and the economy. A study by the Brookings Institution found that every $1 investment in Great Lakes restoration leads to $2 in economic benefit for the eight-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

A recent study by Grand Valley State University economists found that a $10 million restoration project at Muskegon Lake in Michigan produced more than $66 million in economic benefits via increased property values, more tourism and higher tax revenues.

“Great Lakes restoration produces results,” said Skelding. “But there is more work to do. We look forward to working with the U.S. Congress and President Obama to maintain funding in the fiscal year 2013 budget for this essential work. Cutting funding will cost more money, because projects will only become more difficult and expensive the longer we wait.”

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition consists of more than 120 environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos, aquariums and museums representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes.

For more information visit: http://healthylakes.org/

Buffalo News Editorial: Congress Needs to Support Great Lakes

Jordan Lubetkin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:10:16 +0000

The Buffalo News editorial page last week urged U.S. public officials to maintain funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The paper wrote:

Democrats and Republicans agree that the GLRI is a priority. In the past two years Congress has allocated $775 million for the initiative. That support needs to continue in order to keep the vital cleanup of the lakes on track.

The paper acknowledged the work by U.S. Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Sander Levin (D-Mich.) to maintain the nation’s commitment to the Great Lakes. They, along with 22 other Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives, sent a letter urging the appropriations committee to maintain funding of $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

According to the Buffalo News editorial: “The $300 million request will keep this multiyear effort on track; the economic and environmental benefits justify the spending even in lean economic times.”

We agree.

Coalition Supports New EPA Effort to Prioritize Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funding in 2012

Jordan Lubetkin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:07:33 +0000

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced today that that Obama Administration would prioritize Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funds in 2012—something that the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition has recommended for the last two years.

Responding to the announcement, Coalition Director Jeff Skelding, said:

“The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition fully supports prioritizing Great Lakes restoration investments as outlined today by Administrator Jackson and the EPA. For two years, the coalition has urged the EPA to target restoration activities to produce the best results for the environment and the economy. We look forward to working with the EPA, White House and Congress to ensure that this successful program continues to be robustly funded and targeted in the highest priority areas.”

Read coalition comments to the EPA that urge the agency to prioritize restoration funding in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Coalition Submits Comments to EPA on How to Improve Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Jordan Lubetkin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 21:54:38 +0000

The federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been a shot in the arm for restoration efforts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The U.S. Congress has invested $775 million through the initiative in the last two budget cycles to clean up toxic pollution, restore habitat, reduce polluted run-off, and combat invasive species. The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition fully supports the program—though would like to see some modifications to make a good program even better.

To that end, the coalition today sent a letter to EPA’s Cameron Davis, senior advisor to the administrator, and Susan Hedman, regional administrator for EPA Region 5. The letter offers recommendations on how to improve the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Among them:

Budget $475 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in the 2013 budget;
Invest in research and monitoring to help prioritize projects in most-needed areas; and,
Target funds based on a watershed management approach to achieve broader ecosystem health.

You can read the full letter here.

Bottom line: The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the most effective federal program to restore the Great Lakes and protect the drinking water, public health and way of life for millions of people. Great Lakes activities are producing results in communities across the region—though there is more work to do. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a strong program that, with a few tweaks, can be even stronger.

Great Lakes $50 Million Funding Boost Remains Undermined by Ballast Boondoggle

Jordan Lubetkin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:41:01 +0000

Some good news emerged this week in the effort to improve Great Lakes restoration funding in the 2012 House Interior-EPA funding bill. The House passed an amendment offered by Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) to add $50 million to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. His amendment passed the House 220 to 206. See how your member voted here.

That boosts Great Lakes funding in the Interior spending bill from $250 million to $300 million – a significant increase that allows more projects that protect drinking water, public health, and quality of life for people throughout the region to be funded.

The bump in restoration funding is being touted by Rep. LaTourette in the media. On Cleveland TV station WKYC’s Web site, Rep. LaTourette said:

“This is a huge victory for the Great Lakes, which contain 20 percent of the world’s fresh water. We need to make sure we protect this valuable resource,” LaTourette said.

There’s just one issue: The funding increase could be a mirage for most of the Great Lakes states. As long as Rep. LaTourette’s ballast provision remains in the spending bill, six-of-eight Great Lakes states— including LaTourette’s home state of Ohio – are at risk of losing tens of millions of dollars of federal funding.

Why? Because they’re taking action to protect their water quality and economy from the onslaught of invasive species introduced through ballast water of foreign ships. Any state like Ohio that enacts more protective standards than the ineffective federal standards are in danger of losing all EPA funding.

The ballast provision could set back restoration efforts by delaying critical protections to prevent new species from invading the Great Lakes through ballast water and causing more damage to the environment.

The provision also sells out the Great Lakes to an industry that has fought tooth and nail against cleaning up its act. For years, shippers made excuses for inaction while continuing to dump biological pollution into the Great Lakes and other U.S. waters that caused incredible economic and environmental damage. Federal public officials were complacent, doing nothing to stop the onslaught even as invasive species such as the zebra mussel spread across the country.

People, small businesses, communities and utilities were left to foot the bill. Economists estimate that the cumulative damage of invasive species in the Great Lakes in the billions of dollars—with the annual tab of at least $200 million in damages and control costs.

The shipping industry is back, working with public officials like Rep. LaTourette to escape accountability for polluting U.S. waters. The new wrinkle is that the shipping industry wants to cut states off from funds that, ironically, are being used in part to clean up the mess the shipping industry made in the first place.

In short, it’s one big ballast boondoggle.

Until this disastrous provision is stripped from the bill, our Great Lakes restoration scorecard in the Interior bill reads: one step forward and two steps – if not more – back.

It’s important to remember that the ballast provision and restoration funding comprise only a portion of the interior bill, which, as a whole, still stinks. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding—even with the recent boost—remains far below 2010 funding levels of $475 million. Other essential programs – namely the Clean Water State Revolving Fund which helps communities stop sewage contamination into area waters – suffer huge cuts as well. Throw in the poisonous provisions in the bill which undermine clean water protections and hamper professionals at the EPA from doing their jobs, then there’s only one conclusion: This bill needs to be opposed, sent back to the drawing board and rewritten.

Sustain Our Great Lakes Program Awards $8.5 Million in Restoration Grants

Jennifer Hill — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:40:12 +0000

Today the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced 30 Great Lakes restoration grant awards through its Sustain Our Great Lakes Program. The projects are being funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which provided $8.5 million to the Sustain Our Great Lakes Program in 2011 for improving the quality and connectivity of tributary, wetland and coastal habitats in the Great Lakes basin.

Projects are being funded in the Great Lakes states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, and Ohio as well as the Canadian province of Ontario. See the full list of projects here. The projects will put people to work and benefit communities by producing the short-term results of restoring fish and wildlife habitat, controlling invasive species, updating stream crossings, and improving fish passage.

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) said in a press release on the grant awards:

“We have made great strides in protecting our Great Lakes, but we still have much to do. This funding from the Sustain Our Great Lakes program is an investment that will continue the progress that we have made so far, and will ensure this natural resource is available for future generations to enjoy.”

In the long run, these projects will help sustain the tourism, hunting, angling and recreational opportunities that people cherish in the Great Lakes region. We know that spending money on restoration is one of the best returns in the federal budget. Just this spring, economists found a 6-to-1 return in investment for restoration dollars going to clean up of Muskegon Lake, an area of concern in Southwest Michigan.

The longer we wait, the more it will cost to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Today’s announcement by Sustain Our Great Lakes illustrates that there are groups in the region ready and able to do the work needed to clean up the Lakes. Congress and the Administration should continue to support this important work by restoring funding for Great Lakes programs in the 2012 budget and providing $475 million in the 2013 federal budget for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Mayors to Congress: Boost Restoration Funding

Jordan Lubetkin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:09:39 +0000

Mayors from across the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to restore Great Lakes funding.

In a letter sent today to Speaker of the House John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor Majority and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is urging the House to fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 million.

The letter is signed by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, vice chair of the cities initiative.

U.S. House Sets Appropriations Schedule

Jordan Lubetkin — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:10:04 +0000

Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives recently released a schedule of when the legislative body will take up some of the 12 appropriations bills that comprise the 2012 budget.

Agriculture Appropriations Bill marked up in full committee on May 31; on the floor on June 14/15.

Energy and Water Appropriations Bill was expected to be marked up in subcommittee on June 2, full committee on June 15, and on the floor on July 6.

Interior and EPA Appropriations Bill will mark up in subcommittee on July 6, full committee on July 11, and on the floor on July 26.

Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill will mark up in subcommittee on July 7, full committee on July 13, and on the floor on August 2.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding is included in the Interior and EPA budget bill.

Now is the time for U.S. legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to step up to the plate and express their support for the Great Lakes.

Members of Congress have to understand that the local projects funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative are producing economic and environmental results. In the case of a restoration project in Michigan, those results are projected to lead to more than a 6-to-1 return on investment.

That’s why the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is urging the U.S. Congress to support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 million in the 2012 budget.

Learn more about how Great Lakes restoration activities are benefitting communities by taking a look at the following additional resources.

“Progress and Promise: 21 Stories that Showcase Successful Great Lakes Restoration Projects”
“Faces of Restoration: People Working to Restore the Great Lakes”
“Great Lakes Restoration: Delivering Results”
Watch a video documenting a successful restoration project produced by coalition member Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
The coalition is chronicling successful restoration projects. Read about them here.

Indiana’s Post Tribune: Congress Needs to Fund Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 Million in 2012 Budget

Jordan Lubetkin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:55:02 +0000

The Indiana Post-Tribune ran an editorial today calling for the U.S. Congress to fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 million.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Photo / National Park Service

The editorial, “Restoring Great Lakes is a priority,” argues:

“Although there is a desire to reduce or eliminate funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, it should be noted that the threats to the lakes aren’t going away.”

The paper–which serves people in the northwest corner of Indiana, including Gary, Merrillville and Hammond–continues:

“The Great Lakes provide a shipping highway that is vital to Northwest Indiana in terms of the export of products grown and produced in the Midwest, as well as the arrival of goods from abroad. It has a marked impact on the economy of Northwest Indiana.”

The paper provides several reasons for Congress to support Great Lakes funding:

The Great Lakes supply the drinking water for 30 million people.
People, communities, business and industry rely on the lakes for drinking water, business and recreation.
More than 1.5 million U.S. jobs are connected to the lakes. They generate $62 billion in annual wages.
Restoration activities provide a solid return on investment. According to economists at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., a $10 million restoration project will result in $66 million in economic benefit over the next 10 years.

Solid arguments that need to be heard by Indiana’s Congressional delegation: Sens. Richard Lugar and Dan Coats and Reps. Pete Visclosky, Joe Donnelly, Marlin Stutzman, Todd Rokita, Dan Burton, Mike Pence, Andre Carson, Larry Bucshon and Todd Young.

Coalition Sends Letters to House, Senate Leaders Urging $475 Million for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in 2012 Budget

Jordan Lubetkin — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:50:38 +0000

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition today sent letters to leading U.S. House and Senate appropriators, urging them to fund Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 million for fiscal year 2012.

The coalition is sending the letters to Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair and ranking member, respectively, on the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations.

The coalition also sent the letter to Reps. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Jim Moran (D-Va.), chair and ranking member, respectively, on the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations.

The letters to House and Senate leaders state:

“The [Great Lakes Restoration Initiative] – and you – have provided the Great Lakes region with much needed support, and we are seeing on-the-ground results. However, while pressures on Congress to balance the U.S. budget will not diminish, neither will the problems facing the Great Lakes. If we wait and allow restoration efforts to slow, these serious problems will only get worse and the price we pay will be much higher.”

The coalition’s push to robustly fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative comes as the U.S. Congress embarks on the 2012 budget process—with both Republicans and Democrats setting out to prove that they are making smart choices with taxpayer money.

Economic Benefit of Great Lakes Restoration

Against this backdrop, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition has asserted that investments to restore the Great Lakes are some of the best investments on the dollar in the federal budget.

Just days ago, economists at Grand Valley State University released a study finding that a $10 million restoration project in western Michigan is expected to produce more than $66 million in economic benefit for the community—a 6-to-1 return on investment.

Said Jeff Skelding, campaign director of the Healing Our Water-Great Lakes Coalition:

“Great Lakes restoration projects are already producing results—and there is much more yet to do. Now is not the time to scale back our nation’s commitment to the Lakes. We look forward to working with the U.S. Congress to fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 million to protect our drinking water, jobs, public health and way of life.”

The letters to U.S. House and Senate leaders warn against cuts to the program:

“Ultimately, cutting spending on the Great Lakes won’t save money—it will cost the nation more. As the source of drinking water for 30 million people, the nation cannot afford not to protect and restore the Great Lakes.”

Chad Lord, policy director for the coalition, said:

“Our message to Congress is that fiscal responsibility and Great Lakes restoration go hand-in-hand. There is a reason why the region’s businesses, industry, public officials and environmentalists have rallied behind the restoration of the Great Lakes: Investments in the Great Lakes are good for the environment and the economy.”

For more information, you can read the coalition’s Senate letter, House letter or other correspondence to the U.S. Congress, White House and Agencies.

Additional Resources:

Coalition urges U.S. Senate to fund Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 million. (May 20, 2011)

Coalition urges U.S. House to fund Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $475 million. (May 20, 2011)