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Great Lakes Funding: Promising or All Washed Up?
The Great Lakes need your help! Members of Congress from both political parties have sponsored the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2006 (S. 2545 and H.R. 5100) that would provide billions of dollars to implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration restoration plan, which outlines strong recommendations to address the worst impairments of the lakes in an effective way. Congress is now considering whether to make such restoration funding a priority. It is imperative that your voice be heard! Please contact your federal legislators TODAY to show your support for Great Lakes restoration. Take this opportunity to urge your Congressional delegates to become a co-sponsor of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2006!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please co-sponsor the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing you today to urge you to show your support for Great Lakes restoration by becoming a co-sponsor to the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2006 (Senate Bill 2545/House Resolution 5100).
As I am sure you are aware, Lake Erie is an important resource for Ohio. The lake supplies drinking water to roughly 3 million Ohioans and supports more than 240,000 jobs, netting a total of $5.8 billion in wages. It is the shallowest, warmest, and most biologically productive of all the Great Lakes and produces more fish for human consumption than all the other four Great Lakes combined. The Lake supports the largest sport fishery in the Great Lakes and one of the largest freshwater commercial fisheries in the world, earning the Ohio fishing industry more than $300 million a year. The Lake Erie shoreline contributes another $9.45 billion a year in tourism and travel revenue to the Ohio economy.
Our blue jewel, however, is threatened due to raw, human sewage closing beaches and mercury contaminating fish. Invasive species, which there are 162 non-native species established in the Great Lakes basin and on average one new species is discovered every 8 months, and irresponsible development that threaten wildlife and tourism. Neglecting the Great Lakes threatens our economy and the health of our families.
The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2006 will stop new invasive species in their tracks by enacting comprehensive invasive species legislation; help restore wildlife habitat and protect vital wetlands by reauthorizing the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, Ohio is 2nd in the nation for wetland loss at 90%; and ensure resources are available to upgrade water infrastructure to stop raw, human sewage from contaminating beaches.
It will also provide funding for cleaning toxic harbors and rivers through the Great Lakes Legacy Act, such as the Ashtabula River which has clean-up funding and the project will start later this year, but we still have the Cuyahoga, Black and Maumee Rivers that are toxic hotspots; ensure sound science monitors the progress and success of the project; and establish fiscal accountability and ongoing review of the Great Lakes restoration plan.
Lake Erie and its tributaries are vital to the health and economic survival of the communities that depend on the Lake for drinking water, roughly 3 million Ohioans consume Lake Erie water, as well as for a place to recreate and for economic stability. Please show your support my becoming a co-sponsor of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2006 (Senate Bill 2545/House Resolution 5100).
Thank you for your serious consideration. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
April 21, 2006
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The Great Lakes are one of the natural wonders of the world and are a resource for us to use and protect. The Great Lakes Basin contains 95 percent of the fresh surface water in the United States and supplies drinking water for 33 million people. It is a unique environment, containing forest, wetland, marsh, and dune ecosystems that are home to over 3,500 species of plants and animals. Threatened and endangered species located within the basin include trilliums, dwarf lake irises, picture plants, bald eagles, and piping plovers. It is the only freshwater system of its kind in size and ecological diversity and is essential to humans and wildlife alike; providing homes, food, recreation, and economic sustainability.
Lake Erie is vitally important to our environment and economy. It is an important resource for Ohio industries, agriculture, municipalities, and ecosystems. The 312 miles of Lake Erie shoreline are a great source of wealth and vitality for Ohioans and our visitors. The lake supplies drinking water to 3 million Ohioans and supports more than 240,000 jobs, netting a total of $5.8 billion in wages. It is the shallowest, warmest, and most biologically productive of all the Great Lakes and produces more fish for human consumption than all the other four Great Lakes combined. The Lake supports the largest sport fishery in the Great Lakes and one of the largest freshwater commercial fisheries in the world, earning the Ohio fishing industry more than $300 million a year. The Lake Erie shoreline contributes another $9.45 billion a year in tourism and travel revenue to the Ohio economy.
Lake Erie is certainly a resource worth protecting and improving. However, Lake Erie is facing many challenges, such as:
- The build up of toxic pollutants that make waters unsafe for swimming, fish unsafe for eating, and habitats unfit for wildlife.
- The reemergence of the Lake Erie Dead Zone, an area of depleted oxygen that prevents aerobic organisms such as fish from living there. An increase in phosphorous levels, falling water levels, warmer water, and invasive zebra and quagga mussels are all exacerbating this problem.
- Combined sewer overflows that dump raw, untreated human waste into our waterways. During the 2004 swimming season, sewage overflows caused 271 beach advisories along the Lake Erie coast.
- The introduction of invaisive species such as the zebra and quagga mussels.
- Destruction of irreplaceable coastal habitats and wetlands which are critical to the survival of native plants and animals. Ohio is already 2nd in the nation for wetland loss at 90% lost.
Please, take this opportunity to help protect and restore Lake Erie and the Great Lakes of our nation.
The time to act is now!
Members of Congress from both political parties have sponsored the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2006 (S. 2545 and H.R. 5100). If passed, this legislation will provide billions of dollars to address the worst impairments of our Great Lakes in an effective way. Congress is now considering whether to make such restoration funding a priority. Your voice could make the difference! Please, take time to contact your lawmakers and urge them to support the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2006!
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