Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan measure to provide a five year authorization for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provides federal, state, tribal, and local officials with one more tool to protect the Great Lakes.

Through it, we are helping in the fight to keep the Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes.

Through it, tons of contaminated sediments have been removed and will no longer pose a threat to the public or the environment. Waterways that were once closed to boaters, fishermen, and the public are being revitalized and reborn.

Through it, we are working to improve habitat for wildlife. This week in my district, the Army Corps and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District will announce the completion of an Ecosystem Restoration Project funded with GLRI funds. The project ripped out 2,900 feet of concrete channel in the Menominee River, restoring natural riverbed and opening up over 37 miles and 125 acres of upstream wetlands for spawning by various fish species.

Through it, three formally designed areas of concerns--because they contain highly contaminated and toxic sediments--have been delisted in the region.

Investing in protecting the Great Lakes make both economic and environmental sense. This basin is a drinking water source for tens of millions. When much of our nation and the world is fighting over water and trying to figure out how to address shortages or diminishing water resources, we would be foolish not to protect this national treasure.

This investment also benefits the economy and job creation in the region and the nation. Look no further than Milwaukee where water related businesses, universities, and other stakeholders are working to take advantage of our region's proximity to the largest body of freshwater and a strong university research base, including the nation's only freshwater school of science to attract water related entrepreneurs and small businesses to the area.

The Milwaukee Water Council, a nonprofit organization with over 180 members, which links water technology companies, water entrepreneurs, academic researchers and water professionals is hard at work turning our region's advantages, including our city's location on Lake Michigan, into creating jobs and economic development that will benefit the city and region. We need to protect the Great Lakes.

I want to thank the leadership of the Committee for making this bill a priority. Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, your leadership is much appreciated. I also want to applaud my colleagues from the region, including Congresswoman Kaptur, on both sides of the aisle who keenly understand why we need to support this legislation.

I support this bill and urge my colleagues to vote for it.

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