Peters: Environmental Protection Creates Jobs & Helps Local Economy

Press Release

On the eve of Earth Day, Representative Gary Peters applauded conservation efforts in Oakland County and called for action to prevent Washington from undermining local environmental protection and conservation programs.

Peters joined Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, along with representatives from the Clinton River Watershed Council, to tour the Avon Creek Restoration Project in Rochester Hills.

"Projects like this are good for our environment and our economy, helping to support local jobs and protecting the long-term health of the Great Lakes region, but the federal partnership that makes this possible is in jeopardy," said Rep. Gary Peters. "Here in Oakland County, we understand the importance of protecting our natural treasures, we've been making great progress in restoring the Clinton River Watershed, and we need to stop Washington from taking us in the wrong direction."

The Avon Creek Restoration Project in Rochester Hills is part of a broader initiative to restore the Clinton River Watershed, a system of waterways that covers much of Oakland County. The project is a joint effort between the City of Rochester Hills and the Clinton River Watershed Council with support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Rochester Hills has been an environmental leader and the restoration of Avon Creek further demonstrates our commitment to protecting and preserving our natural resources," states Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan K. Barnett.

"The Clinton River Watershed Council is excited to work in partnership with the City of Rochester Hills and the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the Avon Creek Restoration Project. The project funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provides a multitude of benefits including: improving water quality and wildlife habitat and money into the local economy through employment of local engineers, consultants and contractors," said Michele Arquette-Palermo from the Clinton River Watershed Council.

The Clinton River Watershed is among the most polluted in the country, with 27 designated Superfund sites, but efforts to restore the river have already allowed trout fishing to return to parts of the watershed -- bringing tourism dollars to the region.

A 2007 study from the independent Brookings Institution found that restoring the Great Lakes "will lead to direct economic benefits of $6.5--11.8 billion dollars from tourism, fishing, and recreation alone."

Despite local economic and environmental benefits, House leaders in Washington have been pushing to undermine environmental protection laws and recently attempted to drastically cut support for future environmental projects in the Great Lakes region.

H.R. 1, the original 2011 budget bill passed by the House of Representatives, would have slashed funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by more than fifty percent. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative supports the Clinton River Watershed Restoration project as well as efforts to combat the spread of Asian Carp.

The same bill also included policy riders undermining the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act and preventing the Environmental Protection Agency from restricting mercury pollution from cement manufacturers.

These measures were not included in the final compromise budget signed into law earlier this month, but House leaders have made it clear that they intend to seek other opportunities to pass similar legislation weakening environmental programs.

On The Web

Clinton River Watershed Council: http://www.crwc.org/

Brookings Institution Report: http://www.healthylakes.org/site_upload/upload/GrtLakesCostBenefit.pdf

Defenders of Wildlife Summary of Anti-Environmental Riders in H.R. 1:
http://www.defenders.org/resources/publications/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/threats/anti-environmental_riders_on_h.r._1,_full-year_continuing.pdf

Source