WALSH HELPS CHAMPION GREAT LAKES RESTORATION BILL THROUGH CONGRESS
Environmental Advocates Praise New York Congressman for His Leadership

(Washington D.C.)- The U.S. House of Representatives late yesterday passed The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act. The bill is a critical component of the larger Great Lakes restoration effort and will help protect fish and wildlife in Lake Ontario and the entire Great Lakes.

Fish and wildlife are important to the ecosystem health of the lakes as well as the economy; the Great Lakes fisheries are valued at $4-5 billion per year. The approved legislation authorizes $16 million per year to be spent on restoration projects throughout the watershed. This money is administered through the Fish & Wildlife Service's restoration grant program. The grants will be used for research and restoration work in New York State and all the Great Lakes states.

"We have an inherent responsibility to protect these shores and nurture their health. This legislation is a step in the right direction.  It more than doubles the authorized spending levels available to Great Lakes restoration efforts," said Walsh. "However, during this extremely hectic time of year, it was not easy to get this bill to the floor on the House. Along with my fellow Great Lakes colleagues, I lobbied to House leadership and worked with them closely over the last week to reach an agreement to get this bill to the floor for a vote."

New York State has the second longest coastline of any Great Lakes state.  Not only is the state home to Lake Ontario's shore, it comprises part of Lake Erie's shore and Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers.  The Great Lakes represent 95 percent of the nation’s fresh surface water. 

“Today is a great day for the Great Lakes, and we have Congressman Jim Walsh to thank.  Congressman Walsh is a true conservationist, and stepped up to the plate when most needed to ensure the passage of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act,” said David J. Miller, Executive Director of Audubon New York.  “This Act, which doubles funding for critical wildlife conservation and habitat protection projects in the Great Lakes Basin, is a critical step toward restoring the health of this irreplaceable resource.”

The legislation now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration before the President can sign the package into law.

In August, Congressman Walsh was recognized by a number of the state’s leading conservation organizations for his co-sponsorship of additional, more comprehensive legislation to restore the Great Lakes by stopping invasive species introductions, halting sewage contamination, and cleaning up toxic pollution and restoring wildlife habitat.  The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act (HR 5100) will put into practice priority recommendations of a $20 billion Great Lakes restoration strategy released in December as part of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.

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