Support Funding to Restore the Great Lakes!
The Great Lakes are breaking down due to the combined impacts of invasive species, sewage contamination, destruction of wetlands and other critical habitat, and other threats. The proof can be seen in closed beaches, fouled drinking water, fish consumption advisories, and shrinking populations of sport fish. Comprehensive action is needed now to reverse the breakdown, because the longer we wait to restore the lakes, the problems get worse and more costly.
Luckily, we have manageable solutions for the problems facing the Great Lakes. The Healing Our WatersŪ - Great Lakes Coalition is working in our nation's capitol to pass legislation that will stop sewage contamination, prevent invasive species introductions and restore the lakes. But these solutions will take a meaningful investment from our Federal government. You can be part of the solution for the Great Lakes by signing the petition urging Members of Congress to support Great Lakes programs.
The Great Lakes are breaking down due to the combined impacts of invasive species, sewage contamination, destruction of wetlands and other critical habitat, and other threats. The proof can be seen in closed beaches, fouled drinking water, fish consumption advisories, and shrinking populations of sport fish. Comprehensive action is needed now to reverse the breakdown, because the longer we wait to restore the lakes, the problems get worse and more costly.
Luckily, we have manageable solutions for the problems facing the Great Lakes. The Healing Our WatersŪ - Great Lakes Coalition is working in our nation's capitol to pass legislation that will stop sewage contamination, prevent invasive species introductions and restore the lakes. But these solutions will take a meaningful investment from our Federal government. You can be part of the solution for the Great Lakes by signing the petition urging Members of Congress to support Great Lakes programs.
We, the undersigned, urge you to act immediately to protect and restore the Great Lakes. You can take action this year by working to:
- Re-authorize the Great Lakes Legacy Act at $150 million per year so we can clean up toxic pollutants that are poisonous to our families;
- Improve and pass ballast water management legislation to keep invasive species from ruining our sport and commercial fisheries;
- Pass the Clean Water Restoration Act in order to protect Great Lakes waters; and,
- Fully fund Great Lakes programs like the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act and the Great Lakes Legacy Act.
The Great Lakes are essential to the economic and cultural identity of our region. Forty-two million people depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water. Today, the health of our Lakes is seriously threatened by problems such as untreated sewage and invasive species.
The good news is we have manageable solutions to these problems. The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy is a comprehensive plan to modernize sewage treatment, clean-up polluted harbors, restore wetlands, and prevent unwanted, new species from invading the lakes. Each of these steps is essential if we are to restore the lakes and safeguard our Great Lakes way of life.
A recent survey revealed that federal funding lags far behind the estimated $15 billion annual investment made in protecting and restoring the Great Lakes by the region's local governments. It's time to stop short-changing the Great Lakes -- the longer we wait to meet the problems facing the Great Lakes, the more expensive and difficult they will be to solve.
Your leadership is needed now more than ever. Please take action this year to pass critical legislation like the Great Lakes Legacy Act, ballast water management legislation, and the Clean Water Restoration Act, all of which work to implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy. Please also fully fund Great Lakes programs like the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act and the Great Lakes Legacy Act.
I look forward to hearing about your efforts to protect the Great Lakes.
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We are so blessed with all of the Clean Water that is surrounding us...let's keep it that way!
I want my children to enjoy the Great Lakes as I have growing up. They have inspired me to work in the field of limnology, focusing on the Great Lakes system so that I can be a part of the conservation and restoration of this precious and beautiful resource.
The largest body of freshwater on the planet...let's keep it clean..
Restore the Great Lakes now, before it is too late. Please no politics on our freshwater.
Stop the oil companies pollution of the great lakes.
Water is the life-blood of this planet--here at home AND abroad--therefore, I completely support legislation designed to protect our water sources. After all, not only is it important to our country's well-being, but it is also an important step in encouraging the rest of the world to care about their water sources, as well.
Why should we jeopardize the greatest source of fresh water for the Midwest for a few dollars especially given the amount of money being sent to foreign countries for their needs, Let us take care of our needs before we take care of the rest of the world needs.
All waters must be protected, including our wetlands, streams and lakes. Please support any legislation that would protect our very great Great Lakes as well as the rest of our valuable waters.
We are the only state that is surrounded by these beautiful lakes! Please take some action to restore these wonderful resources! They are almost all we have left that's Michigan.
The Great Lakes are Michigan's greatest resource. Please do everything to keep them clean or make them cleaner. I live in MIchigan and have always enjoyed our lakes.
What happens to the inhabitants of the Great Lakes will also happen to the citizens of the area. We must take all precautions to insure the health of the lakes and the public.
I live in Michigan! I love this state. The Great Lakes are the primary reason why I stay in such a slow economy. If they are un-usable I may have to move to another state.
The Great Lakes are one of the few remaining resources Michigan has! Don't squander them! Water wars will soon follow the current gas wars and we need to be ready.
The tremendous resource of the Great Lakes - the water, the recreation, and the shipping - are vital to our rebuilding our economy and keeping a wonderful quality of life. I ask that you work to care for their protection.
I was born on the west side of Michigan and over the years the beauty of the Great Lakes has been comprimised by polluters,the redistribution of water, and exotic species being brought in from other areas of the world. To preserve this beautiful state and it's water we need congress to get involved with the restoration of the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes are Michigan's future. Clean fresh water is a natural resources that deserves our committment.
I am not alone in my enormous concern re the threats and repercussions of commercial water withdrawal from the Great Lakes. I am equally stressed by the damage caused by the invasive species that are stealing plankton and other nourishment from our game fish. Where are our law-makers when we need them to step up to produce adequate safeguards for this most precious resource? Why are they (YOU) not acting unilaterally to insure the protection and preservation of this valuable and supposedly freely available and forever protected supply of fresh water for those citizens who live in states that are bordered by one of the Great Lakes. Please ACT!!! Mary Lee Orr
Please show that you care about our state and its greatest resource, the Great Lakes. Action is needed immediately to combat invasive species, toxic chemicals, and unsound development. The Great Lakes support and create our economy, provide a high quality of life for michigan residents, and are in need of our help.
The Great Lakes are not only environmental and recreational assets to the region, but imperative to maintaining a stable economy across Michigan and the other Great Lakes states. Furthermore, the Great Lakes provide a numbers of services that which would be fiscally irresponsible to ignore, and exceedingly costly to replace. Please take action now to protect our largest freshwater resource.
Our Great Lakes hold 20% of the Earth's fresh water. They are a source of food, recreation, revenue, pride and beauty. They define our state's boundaries and our identity. Please help us take care of them the way they take care of us. It doesn't always have to be that we don't know what we've got till it's gone - let's keep the Great Lakes great!
ATTN: My address and zip code are Clio but I live in Tuscola County - please make sure this goes to the correct representative.
The Great Lakes are important to the eco-system.
the great lakes is michigans future we need to protect them and try to restore them to there original beuty.
I'm particularly concerned with the continued dumping of ballast in the Great Lakes. This can easily be controlled to prevent the further invasion of non-native species into the lakes.
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9:43 am PDT, Apr 30,
Sally Shaheen Joseph J.D., Michigan
I have watched the Lake Michigan shoreline recede every year since I was a child growing up in Michigan City Indiana. I now watch the shoreline getting wider and wider and the lake disappearing along the Traverse Bay whenever I go up there to visit my grandchildren. If we do nothing, the waters will continue to recede and we will lose one of God's gifts to the Great Lakes State. Please do what you can to keep that from happening. Sincerely, Sally |
The Great Lakes are essential to the ecosystem of the midwest and water is probably our most valuable national resource. It is the most important factor in sustaining human life!
Since I was a child I have been enjoying walks and water sports in the Great Lakes. I truly love the beaches and clarity of the water to remain unharmed. Please take care of preserving our history for our childrens sake and future!
The Great Lakes are a resource in need of protection, for our future and the future of our children. Please act now to save the Great Lakes.
Please make this issue a priority - nothing is more precious than clean water and clean air.
Our Great Lakes are one of Michigans most important assests----We need all the help we can get to boost Michigan !
