Great Lakes Organizations Urge Congress to Include Great Lakes Priorities in WRDA Reauthorization

Ann Arbor, Mich. – In a letter, organizations representing Great Lakes states, tribes, state legislators, municipalities, conservation organizations, labor, business, and ports urged members of Congress to include key priorities for the Great Lakes in upcoming legislation to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act.

“Federal investment in the water infrastructure of the Great Lakes Basin has greatly benefited the ecosystems and economies in our region,” the letter reads. “We appreciate both the House and Senate’s ongoing efforts to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act each Congress, which helps ensure that investments meet the evolving needs of this dynamic region… Each bill includes key priorities for the Great Lakes, and we are encouraged by Congress’ continued commitment to the economic and environmental health of the Basin.”

Priorities include investments in: the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; wastewater and stormwater infrastructure; Great Lakes Ports and the Maritime Transportation System; treating and eliminating harmful algal blooms; preventing and eliminating Asian Carp and other Aquatic Invasive Species; and shoreline protection and resiliency.

These investments are endorsed by the Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition,  Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus and BlueGreen Alliance.