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

March, 2003Honorable Members of the United States CongressUnited States CapitolWashington, DCDear Senators and Representatives:The Coastal States Organization (CSO) was founded in 1970 to represent the interests of theGovernors of the nation’s 35 coastal states and territories, including the Great Lakes. CSO commendsCongress and the Great Lakes states for their recent commitment to the restoration of Lakes Superior,Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario.The Great Lakes have long suffered from industrial, commercial and nonpoint pollution. Today morethan ever, the fresh water resources of the Great Lakes are fragile and of vital importance to allAmericans. The initial $30 million federal appropriation in FY2002 to restore the lakes is an investmentin the health and economic well being of the entire Great Lakes region and the nation. Of course, morework is needed to fully restore the vitality of the Great Lakes. CSO has long supported coastalrestoration and conservation activities.On behalf of the states, we are especially pleased, that the eight Great Lake states and their localpartners have demonstrated their commitments to the restoration of lakes and coastal communities byexceeding their matching funds obligations by tens of millions of dollars. Instead of providing onlythe required 25 percent of project costs, the states combined to provide 58 percent of project funding.Each Great Lake state reports that additional restoration work is poised to begin. CSO asks thatCongress join the states in supporting restorations throughout the Great Lakes. Again, thank you foryour commitment to the Great Lakes and all of America’s coasts.Sincerely,Tony MacDonaldExecutive Director, CSOGREAT LAKES RESTORATION PROJECT [19]