Issue Position: Great Lakes and Environment

Issue Position

The Great Lakes are an irreplaceable resource and economic driver for Northeast Ohio. They hold 85 percent of the North America's surface fresh water, providing drinking water to 40 million. Studies show that more than 1.5 million jobs are directly connected to the Great Lakes, generating $62 billion in wages. It is crucial that we do everything possible to protect the Great Lakes, including addressing the threat of Asian Carp, which pose significant economic threat to our recreational and commercial fisheries.

Recently, I introduced the Great Lakes Ecological and Economic Protection Act of 2013 with other Democratic and Republican Members of Congress from the Great Lakes region. The bill known as GLEEPA, would address invasive species problems, coordinate protection and restoration efforts, and bring together business and environmental organizations with a shared interest in the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes is one of the jewels of the United States and it's imperative we protect it for its environmental significance but also because of its economic might.

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