FY2023 Appropriations Letters

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition and a multitude of partners have sent five letters in support of Great Lakes priorities as part of the annual appropriations process. These letters highlight Great Lakes priorities in the annual appropriations process, ensuring our members of Congress understand the wide array of funding priorities essential to clean water and Great Lakes restoration. The letters were sent to five of the twelve Appropriations Committees in Congress, specifically those that fund Coalition priorities.

Read the letters by clicking the links below:

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Committee

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the EPA and the DOI (including USGS and FWS). This includes funding for the GLRI, the USGS and FWS’s invasive species activities and research, and the array of EPA clean water and water infrastructure grant programs. The letter details the importance of these programs and makes our respective FY2023 funding requests.

Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Committee

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over funding for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. This includes the Corps role in protecting the basin from invasive carp through investments in Brandon Road PED, in addition to enhancing Great Lakes restoration and resiliency through research and coastal infrastructure improvements. The letter details these programs and makes our respective FY2023 funding requests.

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over NOAA programs. This includes funding for the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, Marine Debris, research into HABs, and several grant programs like Sea Grant and the Coastal Zone Management Grants. The letter details these programs and makes our respective FY2023 funding requests.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the USDA and Farm Bill programs. This includes the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its programs important for providing the technical assistance and investments needed to reduce agricultural runoff and its impact on water quality and the growing threat of HABs. The letter details these programs and makes our respective FY2023 funding requests.

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the State Department who funds and operates the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission. The letter details this program and makes our respective FY2023 funding request.