March 8 --
A Michigan congressman has introduced legislation that would promote the cleanup and protection of the Great Lakes over the next five years.
Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Mich., introduced the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2007 on March 7. It would implement the recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, a partnership of federal, state and local government officials as well as other interested parties, which was created by President Bush to study how best to respond to threats to water quality in the Great Lakes.
Ehlers´ bill, among other things, would reauthorize the State Revoloving Loan Fund to assist communities with improving their sewer systems, clean up contaminated sediment under the Great Lakes Legacy Act by reauthorizing and expanding the program, and phase out mercury in products by establishing a new EPA grant program and improving research programs.
The legislation is nearly identical to a bill Ehlers introduced last year that ultimately garnered 59 co-sponsors in the House but did not proceed beyond a subcommittee hearing last September.
To subscribe or visit go to: http://www.wastenews.com