Great Lakes Coalition Discusses Legislative Opportunities at NEMWI's Great Lakes Environmental Summit
The annual Great Lakes Environmental Summit convened by the Northeast-Midwest Institute on February 14, 2018, brought together Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and a wide array of Great Lakes stakeholders for a review of Great Lakes legislative opportunities critical to the environmental health of the Great lakes and a discussion of the challenges ahead.
Kicking off the Summit, NEMWI President and CEO Dr. Michael J. Goff emphasized the Institute's longstanding commitment to the restoration and preservation of the Great Lakes and the exciting Institute research and policy initiatives planned for the year ahead. Matthew McKenna, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program, provided an overview of the gathering's ambitious agenda and highlighted critical legislative priorities.
Representatives Marcy Kaptur and David Joyce, who serve on the House Appropriations Committee as key leaders in Washington on Great Lakes issues then addressed the vitality of the Great Lakes Initiative.
Representative Joyce discussed the Great Lakes region and how critical it is to remain attentive and keep up with the efforts of the Great Lakes. Joyce also emphasized the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the importance of understanding that the Great Lakes are a national treasure. In his final remarks, the Congressman urged that members reach out to legislators and let them know that the Great Lakes are indispensable.
In her remarks, Representative Kaptur similarly stressed the importance of federal investment in Great Lakes infrastructure and the importance of perceiving the Great Lakes region as an interconnected system. Kaptur additionally noted an urgent need to upgrade water systems in the Great Lakes region for the benefit of all.
The group then received several updates on legislative items items including: the upcoming farm bill, FY 2018 and FY 2019 appropriations and potential infrastructure packages. Dr. Sridhar Vedachalam also discussed the role of federal contributions in infrastructure as well as rising utility rates, water supply challenges, and lead pipes, citing that many cities across the nation utilize the same lead pipes that have contaminated the drinking water of Flint Michigan. Dr. Vedachalam expressed that excessive lead levels are present in over 2,000 water systems across the 50 states.
Additionally, there was a discussion about the Great Lakes Collaborative which seeks to create a (GLRI) like program in Canada. Members of the collaborative include Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the Council of the Great Lakes Region and Fresh water Futures.
This Week On Capitol Hill
Both House and senate are in recess due to the Presidents day holiday.
For more information, contactMatt McKenna, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation
