Ohio officials have urged Congress to reauthorize the soon-to-expire Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), describing it as a crucial tool for protecting drinking water, fighting invasive species and supporting a regional economy worth trillions.
Launched in 2010, the GLRI finances restoration projects including habitat work, water quality improvements and research. The initiative is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which also chairs the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force made up of 16 federal agencies. Congress currently provides $475 million for it each year.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz highlighted the initiative’s importance to Ohio at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Wednesday, noting the Great Lakes hold “20% of the Earth’s surface fresh water” and provide drinking water to 40 million people.
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