$475 Million for Great Lakes
November 6, 2009, 5:10 pm
Lake Erie is a big part of people's lives in this area. It helps drive our economy and improves our quality of life. CLICK FOR VIDEO That's why President Obama's signature on legislation to provide $475 million for the Great Lakes is big news in this part of the country. Environmentalists relied on Obama to come through with the funding, and he did not disappoint.
"When Obama was a senator in Illinois, he was very much aware of the concerns of the Great Lakes people. Not only in the Illinois area, but throughout the Great Lakes," said Ed Kissell, of the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie.
Some of the money will be used on programs to improve Lake Erie, and the communities on the lake.
"It's huge," says Tom Fuhrman, of the Lake Erie Region Conservancy. "Unfortunately we always hear "more money for planning, more money for planning." This is not planning. This is money that's going to be spent for specific projects, whether they be cleanup, education, land acquisition. Things that we've already identified as protecting and restoring the Great Lakes," he said.
A big issue locally has been controlling runoff from parking lots and commercial developments along Lake Erie tributaries. Environmentalists hope the federal money will be used for that cause, and other methods to protect the lake.
More funding could be forthcoming. During his campaign, Obama said he would like to spend $5 billion on the Great Lakes.
John Last
