The saying, “you know it when you see it” is true in the case of Michigan – a Great Lakes state that has shown real leadership to our region this week with the release of the Great Lakes Plan that calls for renewed Federal investment in restoration.
Lt. Governor John Cherry (D) spearheaded the effort working with the business community and advocacy groups such as Michigan United Conservation Clubs and Healing Our Waters Coalition. After more than 20 public meetings a plan emerged and the state’s leaders plan to take it to Washington.
“The MI-Great Lakes Plan is built from the ground-up based on the experiences, challenges and needs of communities across Michigan,” said Ken DeBeaussaert, director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes. They made sure that what went into the plan would create jobs in the short-term and improve water quality in the long-term.
The plan, issued by the Lt. Governor and Michigan’s Office of the Great Lakes, calls on the federal government to add $54 million to the Great Lakes Legacy Act to clean up Michigan’s toxic hot spots, $3.8 million a year for the Beach Act to prevent closures and protect, restore the funding level for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to $1.35 billion.
“Michigan’s economic recovery and our future prosperity depend on protecting our waterways,” said Cherry. “We have a president-elect from the Great Lakes region who understands Great Lakes’ issues and has made specific budgetary commitments. That provides us with a tremendous opportunity to jumpstart our recovery by investing in Michigan’s blue water economy.”
Related posts:
- NATIONAL AGENDA FOR GREAT LAKES RESTORATION CALLS FOR STRONG FEDERAL LEADERSHIP AND FUNDING
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- Winning Hearts and Minds