Tuesday, July 14, 2009

U.S. House passes $475 million Great Lakes cleanup bill By Eartha Jane Melzer 6/29/09

[UPTON VOTES AGAINST CLEANING UP GREAT LAKES]


The U.S. House has approved an appropriations bill that designates $475 million for efforts to clean up pollution and stop invasive species in the Great Lakes.
The bill includes:

$147 million to clean up highly toxic rivers and harbors that feed into the lakes
$60 million to prevent and remove invasive species
$98 million to refurbish area near shores and to prevent “non point” pollution from fertilizer and run-off
$105 million to restore and protect habitat and wildlife
$65 million to monitor progress of cleanup

Rep. Fred Upton of St. Joseph voted against it.

More details about efforts proposed as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative are available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which will administer the program.
http://michiganmessenger.com/21863/us-house-passes-475-million-great-lakes-cleanup-bill