Great Lakes Restoration Project - Ohio Department of Natural ...

March 2003Honorable Members of the United States CongressUnited States CapitolWashington, D.C. 20515Dear Senators and Representatives:The Great Lakes are the lifeblood of our eight state region; their water and related naturalresources are fundamental determinants of environmental health, economic well-being andquality of life along the nation’s “fourth seacoast.” Unfortunately, a legacy of misuse andabuse has compromised the potential of the resource. And, while we’re starting to “turnthe corner” and move toward a cleaner and more sustainable environment, much workremains to be done.Thanks to Congressional leadership in FY 2002, $30.0 million was invested in coastalrestoration projects including contaminated site cleanup, stormwater controls, wetlandsrestoration, buffer/greenway acquisition and related pollution control prevention activities.Leveraged by significant state investment (58% of total project costs), this coastalrestoration initiative showcased the tremendous potential for state/federal partnership andthe attendant environmental and economic benefits.The Great Lakes Commission, an eight state compact agency founded in state and federallaw, has voiced its enthusiastic support for a large scale, consensus-based restoration planfor the Great Lakes ecosystem. Coastal restoration project priorities identified by the GreatLakes states will undoubtedly be an important part of such a plan. The state commitment isin place and additional projects are ready to begin. We urge your leadership in securing thefederal partnership necessary to proceed.We at the Great Lakes Commission applaud your commitment and invite you to work withthe Great Lakes states to move these restoration efforts forward. Indeed, the greatestsystem of freshwater on the face of the earth deserves no less!Sincerely,Michael J. Donahue, Ph.D.President/CEO/rjs[18] GREAT LAKES RESTORATION PROJECT