Press Releases

Yesterday, Rep. Jack Bergman and other members of the Great Lakes Task Force introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024, which extends this critical program for another five years through 2031, and increases annual funding levels from $475 million in 2026 to $500 million from 2027 through 2031.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is the most significant investment ever made to restore and protect our Great Lakes. In the Senate, the bill is sponsored by Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator J.D. Vance, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Todd Young, Senator Gary Peters, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Tina Smith, Senator John Fetterman, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Bob Casey.

House sponsors include Representative Jack Bergman, Representative David Joyce, Representative Marcy Kaptur, Representative Bill Huizenga, Representative Debbie Dingell, Representative Gwen Moore, Representative John Moolenaar, Representative Claudia Tenney, Representative Bryan Steil, Representative Haley Stevens, Representative John James, Representative Max Miller, Representative Brad Schneider, Representative Elissa Slotkin, Representative Lisa McClain, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, Representative Joseph Morelle, and Representative Mike Quigley.

“Those of us who call Michigan home know the importance of our water and the need to protect, preserve, and restore this treasured natural resource. Michigan’s First District has the most Great Lakes shoreline of any Congressional District in our nation, and this legislation is another strong step forward to ensure our Great Lakes remain great. I am proud every year to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in the House and Senate to support and advocate for continued Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding,” said Congressman Jack Bergman.

“The creation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is one of the most important actions of my legislative career.  Since I authored the program in 2010, it has been a proven success story,” said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. “This bill will ensure the stability and future of the program as we address new emerging threats to our Great Lakes and waters.”

“The Great Lakes are an invaluable asset to the people of Ohio – I’m proud to partner with Senator Stabenow on legislation that will continue to protect them for generations to come. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative delivers the tools we need to fight invasive species, algal blooms, pollution, and other threats to the ecosystem. This is a commonsense, bipartisan effort that I encourage all of my colleagues to support,” said Senator Vance, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force.

“The Great Lakes provide more than 1.5 million jobs, supply 90 percent of our nation’s fresh surface water, and generate $62 billion in wages every year,” said Congressman Dave Joyce, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative supports efforts that confront direct threats facing the lakes like harmful algal blooms, water pollution, invasive species, and coastal erosion. I am proud to be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reintroduce this critical legislation to protect and preserve the national treasure that is the Great Lakes ecosystem.”

“The collaborative efforts of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative bring together vital resources to address some of the top priorities for Ohio's Lake Erie and its sister Great Lakes,” said Congressman Max Miller. “The GLRI has been a tremendous success so far, and I’m excited to join the effort to continue strengthening our coastal communities and resources throughout the Great Lakes.

“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been one of the most beneficial programs for the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes State. The Midwest is home to the world’s largest source of freshwater, and the GLRI has helped our nation to preserve our abundant natural resource. I am proud to join the efforts to extend the GLRI,” said Congressman John James.

"Lake Ontario plays a vital role to our NY-24 community, bolstering our local economy and enriching our surroundings with its natural beauty," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. "The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative facilitates crucial investments to preserve and safeguard our nation's cherished Great Lakes. I am eager to continue supporting legislation that invests in and fosters the prosperity of Lake Ontario, ensuring it continues to be an invaluable resource for our lakefront communities for generations to come."

The legislation also shares broad support among Great Lakes advocates, including: Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes Commission, Alliance for the Great Lakes, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, American Sportfishing Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Great Lakes Business Network, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Clean Wisconsin, Save the Dunes, Ohio Environmental Council, Ducks Unlimited and Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has focused federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of carp and other invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting our streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, and prevent future contamination. 

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative ensures that vital efforts to protect our water can continue and that we can address new and emerging threats to our lakes and waterways.