President Barack Obama announced Monday he will allocate $300 million in his budget for continuing water cleanup efforts at the Great Lakes, which began last year with the passage of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Tim Eder, executive director of the Great Lakes Commission, said the money will go toward areas such as removing toxic sediment, protecting against invasive species, improving the conditions for indigenous wildlife and reducing pollution.
“The president has definitely shown that helping the Great Lakes is a priority and the evidence is in the funding,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign manager for Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
Though a large amount of funding remains for the lakes, this year’s budget shows serious financial cuts in many areas, including Great Lakes restoration.
Last year, the federal government gave $475 million to help clean the Great Lakes. The funds constitute a fraction of the $5 billion campaign promise by the Obama Administration to this cause.
“Even though having more money is always better, we can still have a significant impact with $300 million. That’s still a heck of a lot of money to help the lakes,” said Philip Moy, fisheries and aquatic invasive species outreach specialist.
While many are disappointed the president’s proposed budget does not provide the same amount as last year’s, many recognize the administration has pledged a large amount of support for the Great Lakes’ renewal.
“Obama is from Chicago. He knows they’re not only beautiful, but also an important resource. It’s nice to have a president who’s from a Great Lakes state and recognizes just what a valuable asset they are,” said Dan Kohler, director of Wisconsin Environment, which is an environmental advocacy group that campaigns for clean water.
According to Eder, the Great Lakes’ Coalition plans to ask Congress to allocate the full $475 million given last year in its prospective budget.
With more than 1,000 claims to the water restoration money by states, cities and Native American tribes, the extra $175 million would provide a sizeable advantage, according to University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Director Anders Andren.
“There are so many areas that still need a lot of improvement and those working on the Great Lakes know the extra money could definitely be put to good use,” Andren` said.
Of the problems the Great Lakes face, one has become especially newsworthy: the possible infestation of Asian carp, a non-indigenous species that could have an irreversible impact on the lakes’ ecosystem.
Concerns were heightened regarding the species when their DNA was found only a few miles from the lakes in December 2009.
It is still uncertain as to how much funding will go toward addressing the Asian carp invasion. Andren said he hopes funding for the Lakes’ restoration does not get caught up in such a “political quagmire.”
Despite the announcement the Great Lakes’ cleaning efforts will receive less money than they did in the past, many are still optimistic about the possibilities the money will provide.
“I know a lot of programs are taking financial cuts right now,” Eder said. “I am still excited with the amount of money and resources we will have. Having something’s always better than having nothing.”
