Green Bay Press Gazette: Great Lakes efforts are encouraging
The Great Lakes and those working to protect and restore them to health fared well in the recently passed 2012 federal budget bill. We commend Congress — and the advocacy efforts of Wisconsin Sens. Ron Johnson and Herb Kohl — for maintaining the 2011 budget levels in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
The $300 million will enable efforts to continue to clean up toxic pollution, restore wildlife habitat, stop invasive species and reduce polluted runoff.
The only disappointment was the failure of Congress to include an amendment offered by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich, that would have required the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete a study on ways to protect the Great Lakes from the nonnative Asian carp in 18 months. The Army Corps says it will complete its study by 2015, which critics say is too slow.
The presence of Asian carp in the Great Lakes could impact native fish because of the competition for food.
The latest samples have revealed that Asian carp are in the Upper Mississippi River and threatening Lake Michigan. It is essential that public pressure continues to be generated to respond to the threat.
The significance of the renewed funding for Great Lakes protection cannot be overemphasized or taken for granted, however. It is the lifeline for these lakes and shorelines that have taken a beating over the years and are as vital to the health of humans and wildlife, as they are to the economy of border states, such as Wisconsin.
A recent Brookings Institute study concluded that restoration activities generate at least $2 for every $1 of remediation investment. The shores of Lake Michigan have seen the effects of invasive species for years and the impact has cut into the critical tourism industry and affected property values.
We are encouraged that the Great Lakes priority was not set aside as Congress wrestled with the high-profile payroll tax extension. It easily could have derailed as political divisions intensified upon entering the election year.
With so much emphasis on presidential primaries and recall elections, it is imperative that efforts to protect the lakes don't ebb.
