WASHINGTON, D.C. – Our local communities know how important the Great Lakes are to us. We rely on them for water, sports and it brings in business. We spoke with Michigan Senator Gary Peters (D- MI) about some legislation he said would help keep our lakes healthy and thriving. The Senator said keeping the lakes clean and vibrant has been a top priority.
“All of us who live in Michigan know that the Great Lakes are basically in our DNA,” said the Senator. “It’s something we care deeply about.”
Congress recently passed the Senator’s Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act. It’s a bill that would extend funding for the US Geological Survey’s Great Lakes Science Center for another five years.
“This is an act that allows us to have a better understanding of whats going on with fish populations in the Great Lakes,” said the Senator. “It’s a huge economic driver. It’s about recreation, it’s about the future of the lakes. We have not only our native species that are challenged at times, but we also have these invasive species that come in so its about surveying that, figuring out how we deal with that.”
The bill received bipartisan support in Congress. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization bill heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
“The Great lakes region supports a nearly five billion sport and commercial fishing industry that relies on sound scientific research to protect and manage its aquatic ecosystems,” said Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernandez (D- Puerto Rico).
“This bill would help continue to manage these fisheries which are integral to the region’s economic and ecological health,” said Rep. Pete Stauber (R- MN).
Looking ahead to 2026, the Senator wants to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act for another five years. It aims to confront direct threats facing the Great Lakes’ health.
“Makes sure the lakes stay clean, restore habitat,” said the Senator. “In the past over a billion dollars has been spent in the Great Lakes region, many great projects in the Upper Peninsula cleaning up some of the contaminated sands off the Keweenaw Peninsula for example but that money or that authorization rather will expire and so we have to extend it.”
That bill would boost funding levels for this federal program from 475 million to 500 million dollars.
