Contact: Jordan Dunn


WASHINGTON, D.C.
 – Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s updated action plan to protect and restore the Great Lakes under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The plan, GLRI Action Plan III, will strengthen the clean-up of toxic pollutants, control invasive species, reduce algal blooms, protect habitats from native species, and continue Great Lakes education and outreach efforts. More information on the plan can be found here.

The Great Lakes are critical to Northeast Wisconsin’s economy and way of life,” said Rep. Gallagher. “We’ve seen firsthand how GLRI dollars successfully reduced harmful algae in Green Bay, and I’m glad that GLRI Action Plan III will build upon this success and take action to ensure the Great Lakes are clean for generations to come.”

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has funded 4,800 projects that improve water quality, protect and restore native habitats and species, and prevent and control invasive species. GLRI resources have been used for projects that have prevented more than one million pounds of phosphorous from entering the Great Lakes, and have successfully reduced harmful algal blooms in places like the Bay of Green Bay.

Background:

Rep. Gallagher has actively worked to promote conservation practices in Northeast Wisconsin through his Save the Bay initiative. He has also been a strong advocate for robust GLRI funding, having testified before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies to urge his colleagues to maintain at least $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in FY2020. You can see his full testimony here. Rep. Gallagher is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 4031, the GLRI Act of 2019, which would authorize GLRI through FY2026 and increase funding up to $475 million by 2026.

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