EPA Outlines Next
Federal Actions to Protect the Great Lakes
December 13, 2005
Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson joined
other federal, state, local and tribal officials at an event in
Chicago to unveil the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
Strategy that will serve as a blueprint for prioritizing future
actions to restore and enhance the lakes. The administrator also
committed to specific actions among federal agencies to
accelerate cleanup of contaminated sediment, return another
200,000 ac of wetlands to ecological health in equal partnership
with the states, reduce the spread of invasive species and make
beaches cleaner.
"One year ago, we accepted President Bush's
unprecedented charge to devise a strategy for prioritizing
future actions to protect the Great Lakes," Johnson said.
"Today's blueprint is the next step in ensuring these majestic
lakes remain an international treasure."
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 authorizes
$270 million in funding over five years for cleanups of
contaminated hot spots at 31 areas of concern in the United
States. In 2004, the first year funds were available, and
Congress appropriated $9.9 million. Congress appropriated $22.3
million in 2005, and $30 million will be available in 2006.
President Bush requested $50 million in 2006.
Last week, EPA announced the approval of a $50
million Legacy Act cleanup of the Ashtabula River in Ohio, a
tributary to Lake Erie. Cleanups of Black Lagoon, an inlet of
the Detroit River in Trenton, Mich., and Newton Creek/Hog Island
Inlet in Superior, Wis., were completed last month. Another
project is under way at Ruddiman Creek in Muskegon, Mich. More
projects will be announced in the coming months.
Johnson also announced that EPA will work with
Congress to ensure that the interim barrier halting the advance
of Asian Carp to the Great Lakes system is made permanent.
In addition, EPA will work with U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers to expedite projects to restore wetlands and
aquatic habitat. This effort includes streamlining the wetlands
permit process specifically for restoration and water quality
projects in the Great Lakes basin. EPA and the states will also
take action to restore another 200,000 ac in the basin so they
can perform their indispensable, natural functions. Healthy
wetlands support biological diversity, help maintain valuable
economic resources like fisheries, provide flood control and
filter pollution.
The agency will also supplement and bolster
beach monitoring and notification programs in lakeside
communities. EPA proposes a three-year, three-step effort to
perform watershed-based sanitary surveys in Great Lakes
recreational waters to help identify sources of pollution.
Surveys will be done in 2006, and the first pilot projects
should begin in the Great Lakes basin in 2007.
President Bush's Executive Order 12240 (May
18, 2004) recognized the national significance of the Great
Lakes, established a federal task force and supported the
creation of a Great Lakes Regional Collaboration. Over the past
year, more than 1,500 people from throughout the Great Lakes
basin participated on eight strategy teams to develop the
recommendations that form the basis of the strategy. Summit I
was held in December 2004 in Chicago with conveners representing
the federal government and Great Lakes states, cities, tribes
and public interest groups as well as the region's congressional
delegation. At Summit II, representatives from the collaboration
signed a resolution formally adopting the strategy and
committing to continue to work together.
Source: EPA December 13, 2005
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